And Life Goes On

It’s been a particularly rough week - tears well up as I watch rescuers in Venezuela pull out survivors from the utter devastation caused by earthquakes there. Disbelief as I look at the extreme temps suffocating much of Europe (our climate “future” staring us in the face now) and heartbreak over the cruel decision made by our Supreme Court to deport Haitians and Syrians who are here legally under temporary protective measures.

When I feel powerless, I turn to Nature and feel grounded and grateful for what is within my grasp and direct experience. I watched a little sparrow take a bath in a small puddle formed while I was watering my porch plants - such joy in splashing, shaking off dust and refreshing its entire being.

I noticed a hummingbird moth (a snowberry clearwing) on the hyssop plants flowering now in my rock garden. It made a low humming sound similar to hummingbird wings as it hovered in front of a flower while quickly darting its long proboscis into each tiny blossom to extract its sweetness. And the shimmering gold contrasted with that black band on its plumb body with its fan-like tail….eye candy!

I also harvested a small amount of fireweed (Chamaenerion angustifolium) from my garden. It’s a magenta flowering native plant that likes our higher elevation and has delighted me from the first time I saw it on a steep mountain slope. Now it’s happily spreading in my garden making itself at home under an elderberry bush.

I am fermenting the leaves for a few days before drying and storing them for use as tea leaves. They smell and taste like matcha, a Japanese green tea, and have a relaxing effect. I shared it with a friend while we were discussing the personal challenges she is facing and both the conversation and the tea calmed her - and me.

If you are looking for an escape into nature with delicious guided activities to immerse yourself deeply, take a look at these upcoming retreats:

1. Kalunyahawi’s Coming Home 2 Self Retreat, Aug 28-30, 2026, a unique opportunity for women to go deep into nature and themselves with K’s Native American practices. I am hosting the retreat on our property in the Highlands of Virginia and will lead one of the workshops. More details & registration

2. Between Tides: Nature, Creativity & Renewal, October 8-11, 2026, Chincoteague Island, Virginia. Click for more details & registration

If this is the first Seasons of a Wild Life post popping into your inbox, you can find out more about me and my mission here: How Did You End Up Here.

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