Thank you for the violets...

...truly, you can never have too many.

From the Thanksgiving Address on the Haudenosaunee Nation:

Now we turn toward the vast fields of Plant life. As far as the eye can see, the Plants grow, working many wonders. They sustain many life forms. With our minds gathered together, we give thanks and look forward to seeing Plant life for many generations to come.

Now our minds are one.

I have violets in my garden too - where again I saw Mr Blackcap. Most definitely.

As for yesterday's tree identification, not so sure. I did look at the buds but the buds suggested Ash and they can't be Ash as the poor Ashes are ashes to ashes... Still, I listened to them again. Here's what I think. You put your ear to the trunk and hear the most obvious gurgle but you're not sure as you have JUST put your ear there. so you wait. Silence. You begin to wonder if you imagined it. You wait. Silence. you move your ear and then again, a burst of sound. See, I started to think that the trees DON'T WANT TO BE HEARD. They don't trust us enough to let us hear them. We have to take them by ambush. Or convince them, somehow, that we are in fact grateful for them.

We now turn our thoughts to the Trees. The Earth has many families of Trees who have their own instructions and uses. Some provide us with shelter and shade, others with fruit, beauty and other useful things. Many people of the world use a Tree as a symbol of peace and strength. With one mind, we greet and thank the Tree life.

Now our minds are one.

I met today two Buddhists. Turns out they live at Thornby Hall. Oh... how lovely... They told me that the young volunteers have said that somewhere nearby is a 'Magic Tree' which vibrates. they told me to visit and ask the volunteers in the cafe. Robert and Graham also house-sit for people with pets as they miss having animals.

For me, without this place, I'd be lost-er.

We are all thankful to our Mother, the Earth, for she gives us all that we need for life. She supports our feet as we walk about upon her. It gives us joy that she continues to care for us as she has from the beginning of time. To our mother, we send greetings and thanks.

Now our minds are one.

And so I did try to reciprocate. Feeding the birds again - robins and chaffinches and tits and goldfinches and dunnocks.

We put our minds together as one and thank all the Birds who move and fly about over our heads. The Creator gave them beautiful songs. Each day they remind us to enjoy and appreciate life. The Eagle was chosen to be their leader. To all the Birds-from the smallest to the largest-we send our joyful greetings and thanks.

Now our minds are one.

And here, can you hear?