WHAT IS IT ABOUT TREES?

TREES

What is about trees 

that grabs my attention so?

BRANCHES reaching up and out

perfectly organized 

or tangled in a crochet knot

against the blue sky

BARK that thickens 

and hardens and breaks

as the heart bursts open

as life fattens the tree's torso

ROOTS that grab on and hold

reaching deep and wide for stability

for nutrients and water

LEAVES budding long before spring

unfold at just the right moment

coloring everything to a rich warm velvety green

and then fire up orange just before they fall away

SHADOWS of the wise and wonderful neighbors

cast intriguing reflections on snow and sand and water

tempting me to look up to them

for inspiration for my perfectly organized and tangled mess

for courage to allow my heart to crack open as I grow

and a reminder to reach deep and wide.

2/19/2014

 

WHAT IS ABOUT TREES?

What is about trees that grabs my attention so?

Branches reaching up and out
perfectly organized and tangled 
in a crochet knot
against the blue sky

Bark that thickens 
and hardens and breaks
as the heart bursts open 
as life fattens the tree's torso

Roots that grab on and hold
reaching deep and wide for stability
for nutrients and water

Leaves budding long before spring
unfold at just the right moment
color everything to a rich warm velvety green
and then fire up orange just before they fall away

Shadows of the wise 
and wonderful neighbors
cast intriguing reflections 
on snow and sand and water

Tempting me to look up to them
for inspiration for my perfectly organized and tangled mess
for courage to allow my heart to crack open as I grow
and a reminder to reach deep and wide.

GRATITUDE MONTH--DAY #5: PETE'S GARDENS

Gratitude/Thanksgiving Day #5: Pete's Gardens

On this cold cloudy day, just past setting the clocks back and having our first snow, my husband, Pete is out putting his gardens to bed for the winter. He’s harvesting the last of the carrots and beets and bringing in the bulbs for their winter rest. Thirty-two years ago, we planted a few raspberry bushes and a couple of squares of vegetables. Every year, Pete adds a little more. We joke that someday the garden will grow all the way to the house. Joking aside, I am so grateful for Pete’s gardens. There’s not just one now, there are many. Some way out at the point of our triangular yard and some by the house and in the back. From the first sprouts of Spring to the brown mess of Fall, his gardens bring joy to the passerby, fill our stomachs with fresh produce, and provide a place for bee and butterfly to drink their fill. Ah yes, sometimes I complain that he’s out there too much but deep inside, I’d hate for that land to just be grass to mow! Even the neighbors across the street comment how much they love the view of the garden.

This year, in addition to raspberries enough for several batches of jam, we had bean, snap peas, broccoli, bell peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, kale, black berries, zucchini, squash, watermelon, beets, carrots, a few strawberries and flowers and decorative grasses too many to mention. With such rich bounty, we have been able to share with others. He’s even been growing ornamental banana trees the last couple of years, a sweet reminder of my tropical childhood home!

 What a treat today, to eat a delicious salad, some of which came from the garden! As I ate it, I noticed again how energizing it is to eat food that still has life in it, green vibrant life! I am grateful! Pete’s gardens!

Free Again

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

my African violet celebrating freedom to bloom in winter

Today marks the first day in awhile that both Pete and I feel free. Not free in the sense that we have no obligation but at long last, are not confined by cancer, sinus infection or nasty viruses to a particular diet or bed or part of the house. 

Pete, had Phase 2 have his Papillary Thyroid Cancer treatment the last four weeks which ended yesterday. This consisted of three weeks of a low iodine diet followed by three days of thryoid hormone shots. After that he swallowed a radioactive iodine pill which forced him to stay overnight in the hospital and then be sequestered in his own part of the house once I brought him home. We could look at each other from a distance but couldn't touch. Pete couldn't touch any of the utensils I was going to use to eat so I had to serve him everything. As of today, this is all over!

Meantime, I contracted a nasty virus that led to a nasty sinus infection. For this same three weeks, I have spent more than half my time flat on my back in bed and some of my time caring for my grandson, who started antibiotics the same day as me. I figure in that time I used upwards of 600 kleenex tissues, and sucked about 75 cough drops, not to mention all the drugs and tea and soup. And I coughed so much I got sore stomach. Sunday was my first day out in public. I'm still blowing but the pain and headache are gone and the energy has returned. And no more cough drops!

So today, is freedom day! For the first time in ages, I feel like getting up and accomplishing something. And Pete was up and off to work at the crack of dawn. There's something so magical about the first day you wake up well after a long confinement. It feels as if I've been reborn, like I have been given another chance at life. Outside the temperatures are dropping below the zero mark, the land and some cars are freezing up and refusing to go. Inside, where all dreams are born, it is spring and green. The winter flowers are ready to burst. I'm having delusions of grandeur, of a clean house, one that is finely decorated for the holidays and all my papers sorted and my ducks in a row. I'm dreaming of holiday parties and gifts and writing my annual letter. Okay, that is a little grandiose but let me have my moment please!

Meantime, I hope each and everyone of you gets to stay healthy over the winter and holidays and that you have a moment to celebrate the freedom this health offers you. 

I'm free again! We are free again!

TWO WORKSHOPS COMING THIS FALL

Hello my dear friends!

I am so excited to be offering 2 workshops this fall! Both workshops are designed to be experiential. You will get a chance to try some new ways of thinking, writing and listening. You will go home with things you can use in your everyday life.

• Saturday, September 24th--Writing as Spiritual Practice--come and have some fun writing to free your inner voice! This one is with yours truly--Julie (jules) Bonde CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER. 

• Saturday, October 29th--The Art of Listening--join me and Joyce Finch as we practice better ways of listening and communicating! CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER. 

I hope you will be able to join us! If you are interested in either of these but can't make these dates, please let me know at madjules@gmail.com. I/we plan to offer both workshops later. Also stay tuned for a Writing-Part 2 workshop.

blessings on your listening!
jules