Be Kind

You’ve all seen the meme. You’ve probably reposted it. “In a World where you can be anything you want.... be kind.”

A few years ago, I asked my grown children what was the ABSOLUTE WORST thing they could have possibly done in our family. What action would upset me the most? What would disappoint us, their parents, more than anything else? And although I asked each one separately, at different times, they ALL gave me the same answer. Be unkind to someone. Treat a person, or an animal unkindly. 

They were correct.

They are kind people. They are intelligent, well-read, inquiring, independent, successful people, and they are kind. Kind to humanity. Kind to animals. Kind to each other, their spouses, children and parents.  Helpful and respectful. They are just really good humans. 

They are the kind of people who notice and react. Who empathize and comfort. Who understand when to help and what to do.

They are the type of people who will find water for a thirsty stray, put a bird back in it's nest, catch the bug and place it outside in it's rightful place, understanding that every living creature has a purpose, and arbitrarily killing ANYTHING has consequence.

As adults, each one has already chosen a profession which makes this World a better place. Our oldest, is a college professor, teaching not only Psychology, and Statistics, but Life lessons. He reaches out to, and supports his students while challenging their brains. He urges them to think, question, and try to see different viewpoints.

Our daughter is a Pediatric Dr. of Neuro-Psychology, specializing in Oncology, Cardiology and Traumatic brain injury. She has blessed many, many children's lives and always goes the extra miles to help their parents through one of the most difficult challenges of their lives. It's obvious to all her patients how much she sincerely cares about each of them.

Our youngest son is an Environmental Urban Renewal Landscape Architect who specializes in historical revitalization. He's the one sent into cities and areas, who protects the culture and history of the area, while "greening" it up, so to speak. He listens to the voices of the locals, and preserves what is important to them, while serving their needs by updating the facilities. 

AND they married kind people. I don’t think they could have tolerated anything less. 

We are proud and we are blessed.

So very blessed.

For in this world, where they can be anything they want, they still choose to kind.

They are our gift to the World. 

She released this fish. She ALWAYS releases the fish. It's her favorite part of fishing. :)

Disappointed

One of our fun activities at Wind's Echo is to check the trail cam! Living out here, it's just natural to have a good trail camera- a waterproof, motion-activated camera that you secure to a tree and leave- a day, or two, or a week... When you come back, you get to see all the things roaming around your property at night, or when you're not around. Often, it's eye opening!!! There was once a time where we discovered we had, not one! but TWO bears hanging around!

  

We captured thousands of photos of deer, and elk, and a few of coyotes and bunnies.

 We've used it several times to capture photos of whatever culprit is bothering the chickens.

(click on the photo to enlarge it so you can see the raccoon)

And once... we got THIS photo... (look on the left- those are eyes of a predator- see how close they are together? not far apart like a deer or elk. But WHICH predator???) Click on the photo to enlarge it... it's eerie

But- over the years, I realized that the old trail cam was just not cutting it any more. It stopped working at night :( which is when we NEED it to work! So, for Christmas, I got Bruce a new one! 

The first time I set it out, I wasn't used to how it worked. I THOUGHT I'd turned it on :(  but instead, I'd left it on set up. It burned up all the batteries *sighs* and I didn't get a single video or picture. 

So, intrepid and stubborn, I set it out again a few days ago.

The trick is definitely finding a good place to put it out.... well, that and turning it ON! *sighs*

This camera has SUCH a wide angle, I thought setting it to watch our back meadow, where we'd spied elk earlier, would be PERFECT! And that is what I did. 

Oh! and THIS time? I turned it on!

And then, a photo of me taking it down 

So... meh.

Nothing exciting THIS time.

But the irony of the story???? 

When I went down to feed the horses this morning? There were elk tracks in the snow ALL around the barn!  Guess where I'm going to set out the camera next???

to be continued.....

The First Snowfall by James Russell Lowell

When my mother was just 20 yrs. old, in 1940, she lost her first  born child- her only son. Although, she continued on to have, and  love 4 (in her eyes, at least) precious daughters, she never forgot  her first child. I can remember her reading this poem every  Winter when the snow would fall- and I knew she was thinking of him. The First Snowfall ~James Russell Lowell The snow had begun in the gloaming,  And busily all the night  Had been heaping field and highway  With a silence deep and white. Every pine and fir and hemlock  Wore ermine too dear for an earl, And the poorest twig on the elm-tree  Was ridged inch deep with pearl. From sheds new-roofed with Carrara Came Chanticleer's muffled crow, The stiff rails softened to swan's-down, And still fluttered down the snow. I stood and watched by the window The noiseless work of the sky,  And the sudden flurries of snowbirds, Like brown leaves whirling by. I thought of a mound in sweet Auburn Where a little headstone stood;  How the flakes were folding it gently,  As did robins the babes in the wood. Up spoke our own little Mabel,  Saying, "Father, who makes it snow?"  And I told of the good All-Father  Who cares for us here below. Again I looked at the snow-fall,  And thought of the leaden sky  That arched o'er our first great sorrow,  When that mound was heaped so high. I remembered the gradual patience  That fell from that cloud like snow,  Flake by flake, healing and hiding  The scar that renewed our woe. And again to the child I whispered,  "The snow that husheth all,  Darling, the merciful Father  Alone can make it fall!" Then, with eyes that saw not, I kissed her:  And she, kissing back, could not know  That my kiss was given to her sister,  Folded close under deepening snow.  — The Complete Poetical Works of James Russell Lowell (1882) All photographs were taken by me either last night (Jan. 17) or this  morning (Jan. 18)

Life is a Snapshot

Maybe it’s normal. Maybe EVERYONE in the World does this. Maybe I’m just being ego-centric.... but I go through Life seeing situations, my world, EVERYTHING as if I’m looking through a camera lens. I see the world as a series of snapshots. It even, sort of, sparks in my brain. There’s a snapshot. There’s another one. Details, details, minute details, and then a panorama clip.

It’s snowing. I see the beautiful tableau- of course, I do! 

I also see....

footprints on the back patio starting to fill up with snow.

I see....

The snowblower... waiting, waiting as the snow continues to pile up.

I see...

The stark black branches of the crabapple tree frosted with snow. And the snow continues to fall, as I make my way to the barn. It’s no different here. My internal photo album of the day continues to fill up. Here it’s a video clip of the mares shuffling into the barn to be fed.

In the barn, I focus on snowy backs... 

On a tiny Junco perched on the fence...

Heck... I focus on how the snow looks on a wooden slat!

It’s interesting though, right? Everything has it’s own beauty in the details. 

My world is so beautiful, everywhere I turn, my eyes can barely keep up with the images processing in my soul. I want to drink it all in. I want to keep every impression. “Click” “click” “click”

Btw- I’m happy to be back, and so happy to see those of you still with me. It’s been a journey- the last few years, but through it all, the peace and beauty, and stillness of Wind’s Echo has been a grounding force- one I’m grateful for, and willing to share with you. Turn your volume up and relax. This is Wind’s Echo.