Hi Everybody!
Last year at this time, I was sidelined from work for almost 4 months & was outdoors and on the move almost everyday. I found great comfort in watching the sunrise, gardening, leisurely bike rides, long walks & catching sunset. It was an extra-good-day when I included ALL those activities. Some days were extra special by bookending the day catching both the sunrise & sunset. I turned to NATURE, without distraction and found a new & deeper sense of groundedness & gratitude.
This SPRING, a year later, I’m sidelined from long walks due to plantar fasciitis (intense heel pain - but I’ll soon be Okay!) I’ve taken up birdwatching & discovered how FUN it is to just watch & wait. The PURPLE MARTINS arrived on Barnegat Bay a couple weeks ago. Every year they migrate back from Brazil-South America (which takes 2 months) to their birthplace. They’re here to nest & mate and will be heading back to Brazil again mid-August. It’s remarkable that they know & find their way back & forth to where they came from. Some birdwatchers buy or build “apartments” and become Purple Martin “landlords” awaiting like clockwork, their arrival every Spring.
Last year at this time, I was sidelined from work for almost 4 months & was outdoors and on the move almost everyday. I found great comfort in watching the sunrise, gardening, leisurely bike rides, long walks & catching sunset. It was an extra-good-day when I included ALL those activities. Some days were extra special by bookending the day catching both the sunrise & sunset. I turned to NATURE, without distraction and found a new & deeper sense of groundedness & gratitude.
This SPRING, a year later, I’m sidelined from long walks due to plantar fasciitis (intense heel pain - but I’ll soon be Okay!) I’ve taken up birdwatching & discovered how FUN it is to just watch & wait. The PURPLE MARTINS arrived on Barnegat Bay a couple weeks ago. Every year they migrate back from Brazil-South America (which takes 2 months) to their birthplace. They’re here to nest & mate and will be heading back to Brazil again mid-August. It’s remarkable that they know & find their way back & forth to where they came from. Some birdwatchers buy or build “apartments” and become Purple Martin “landlords” awaiting like clockwork, their arrival every Spring.
I’m reminded of my Grandma Gefken, who was an avid bird watcher. She was lucky to retire with a beautiful view on the Metedeconk River. She loved her bird-feeders & bird-baths and spent many a day, watching the seasons change & content just watching her birds come & go.
That’s the BEAUTY of NATURE. There’s a rhythm. We can plan our day. We know what time the sun rises and sets. We follow the moon & the tides. And we wait - expecting the Purple Martins arrival every Spring. We can count on MOTHER NATURE!
I’m excited knowing SUMMER is coming! I have FAMILY coming from afar. My sister Pam’s family arriving early July from Los Angeles & my brother Todd’s Family arriving from San Diego at the end of July. Maybe if I’m lucky, MOM & more family coming from Florida. That’s what happens....FAMILY returns HOME - from where they came! Just like homing pigeons or the purple Martins. It makes me happy knowing and anticipating FUN FAMILY time is on the calendar.
There’s no place like HOME!
HOME is where one starts from!
HOME is where our story begins!
It’s been a hell-of-a-year! Almost everyone I talk to has been feeling very STRETCHED and yanked way out of their comfort zone. The good news is we can rest assured that it’s normal to feel edgy & anxious when LIFE feels unpredictable & topsy turvy. Hang in there & remember that you’re not alone. Let’s all keep hoping that it continues getting better everyday!
I hope that the REBIRTH of SPRING lifts your SPIRITS & that GOOD things return to ALL of US very SOON!
Peace & Health,
❤️ Patti
That’s the BEAUTY of NATURE. There’s a rhythm. We can plan our day. We know what time the sun rises and sets. We follow the moon & the tides. And we wait - expecting the Purple Martins arrival every Spring. We can count on MOTHER NATURE!
I’m excited knowing SUMMER is coming! I have FAMILY coming from afar. My sister Pam’s family arriving early July from Los Angeles & my brother Todd’s Family arriving from San Diego at the end of July. Maybe if I’m lucky, MOM & more family coming from Florida. That’s what happens....FAMILY returns HOME - from where they came! Just like homing pigeons or the purple Martins. It makes me happy knowing and anticipating FUN FAMILY time is on the calendar.
There’s no place like HOME!
HOME is where one starts from!
HOME is where our story begins!
It’s been a hell-of-a-year! Almost everyone I talk to has been feeling very STRETCHED and yanked way out of their comfort zone. The good news is we can rest assured that it’s normal to feel edgy & anxious when LIFE feels unpredictable & topsy turvy. Hang in there & remember that you’re not alone. Let’s all keep hoping that it continues getting better everyday!
I hope that the REBIRTH of SPRING lifts your SPIRITS & that GOOD things return to ALL of US very SOON!
Peace & Health,
❤️ Patti
Enjoy this short clip of
the PURPLE MARTIN'S on Barnegat Bay!
the PURPLE MARTIN'S on Barnegat Bay!