The rapture of being alive

A light in the cyprus

People say that what we are all seeking is a meaning for life.  I don’t think that’s what we’re really seeking.  I think what we’re seeking is an experience of being alive, so that our life experiences on the purely physical plane will have resonance within our innermost being and reality, so that we actually feel the rapture of being alive. . .

~ Joseph Campbell

Wanderers drifting on the wind.

It is such a beautiful day here at the Wabi-Sabi Ranch.  It looks and feels like autumn with a brisk, chill wind and a brilliant blue sky.  Seeds from the sea myrtles drift through the air, and every time the wind gusts, more seeds take flight.  If you stand by the lagoon and watch, sometimes there are so many fluffy white things floating around that it almost resembles a snow shower.

Sparkles and seeds

The elements are combined in a playful way.  The scent of earth, dry leaves, and pine needles float on the air with the seeds from grasses and myrtles.  The fire of the sunlight sparkles and dances on the surface of the water.

Sun dog

Two sun dogs scampered across the sky, playing in the few slender, wispy clouds that graced the sky this morning.

It is an excellent day for a hike or a walk or plain old ramble.

Above

I’m not sure it’s a great day for flight, but the birds don’t seem to mind the strong gusts of the wind too much.  There were plenty out and about while I was on my walk.  A large flock of swallows winged their way across the marsh, followed by a large flock of sea gulls.  There must be something good to eat out that way, something that is attracting all the birds.

Below

One way to open your eyes is to ask yourself, “What if I had never seen this before?  What if I knew I would never see it again?”

~ Rachel Carson

Floating on a sea of pine needles and leaves

So far, autumn here on the Eastern Shore is different from autumn in the Bogs, yet it has similarities as well.  The colors of the foliage are not as vivid as in the Bogs.  That may be due to the dry weather we experienced in September.  The evergreen trees and shrubs around the Wabi-Sabi Ranch outnumber the deciduous trees so there is a lot more green than we had at Breezy Acres.

02 October 2012: The dogwood. Breezy Acres, Ohio.

I miss the little dogwood tree we had near the pond in the Bogs.  It was my favorite tree to watch over the course of the seasons.  I have not found any dogwood trees here at the Wabi-Sabi Ranch, but I haven’t explored the entire property yet, either.  M and I are hoping to blaze a few trails into those unexplored areas soon, now that the weather is cooling off and the insects are less bothersome.

Crepe Myrtle leaves in their autumn colors

The Crepe Myrtle tree may replace the dogwood for me as the tree to watch over the seasons.  I’ve taken a lot of photos of the leaves, the bark, and the flowers when they were blooming.  We have two Crepe Myrtles on the property, guardians on either side of the driveway as you get close to the house.  They were not well cared for, and will require pruning.  Did you know the myrtle flower was said to be sacred to the goddess Aphrodite?  In the language of flowers, it is associated with true love and marriage.

Common Buckeye

Observe the wonders as they occur around you.  Don’t claim them.  Feel the artistry moving through and be silent.

~ Jalaluddin Rumi

Stretching up to the sky

That’s it from the Wabi-Sabi Ranch on this gorgeous Friday.  Thank you for stopping by.  Do you have any plans for the weekend?  I’m thinking about going to 3rd Friday in Salisbury tonight.  It looks like fun.  I might also head to the beach tomorrow evening to watch the sunset and the moon rise.  It depends on the weather.

Whatever your plans, have a great weekend!

Changing with the times

Be good, be kind, be loving.  Just Be.  🙂

Brilliant!