Message from the Mountain

Winter is not easy here in the foothills. There are a lot of extra costs, some planned for, and some not, creating stress. I have set my intentions to find something each day to be grateful for, and the other day someone that I would not think of as being grateful used that very word. Support the show

A couple of weeks ago the ground was brown. Now, with storm after storm, the snow is beginning to pile up, creating a problem for snow removal. People seem to have life stresses piling up on them like the snow on the ground. It is important to have a good positive inner stress removal program. Support the show

The last couple of snowstorms have turned into rain events leaving a real mess for those that plow the wet heavy aftermath. The rain also leaves an interesting effect on the uneven surface of the remaining snow. I think of people who have been buffeted by the effects of life. Support the show

It seems as if everything in Nature is topsy-turvy. It is hard to tell what season we are in. Maybe you have noticed: it is not only Nature that is topsy-turvy. All of life seems to be experiencing it. At least we have the guidance of our hearts. Support the show

The water is running down the mountainside in the brook on its way to the ocean. The warm weather continues to keep, normally frozen, water open. Life has a flow to it, sometimes moving rapidly and sometimes moving slowly. The calm waters of life are in our hearts. Support the show

The recent foot of snow, followed by an inch or two of rain and warm temperatures, turned the landscape to mush. It reminded me of certain fine chopped foods with an excess of moisture. Some are very tasty. Life has a lot of mush, some likeable, some not. Support the show

Now that we are about three weeks away from the shortest day of the year, I am beginning to see and anticipate the expanding daylight. It is a January ritual for me. Sometimes we do not see the positive changes we make in our lives until a little time has passed. Support the show

The weather forecast on the news said that there would be a red sky as daylight began which would indicate a big storm coming soon. The sky did turn red, and we planned our day with inclement weather in mind. Life has a lot of warning signs. My goal is to include them in my planning. Support the show

We are back to a winter wonderland of white, at least for a few days. The weather and life seem to be going through a lot of changes. People often find their plans subject to change. The goal is to stay true to positive intentions. Support the show

Finally, two months into the season, it appears as if the snow drought has ended, and outdoor enthusiasts can breathe a sigh of relief. It seems as if we spend a good part of our lives waiting for something, sometime worrying about life situations. Realizing you are not alone can be a comfort. Support the show

Recently, browsing the Internet, I stumbled on a beautiful leaded glass dragon fly, and seeing that it was local, I arranged to purchase it. A few years ago, my wife was rescued from an accident where she wound up in the water. A dragon fly waited with her. Support the show

There is a birch tree at the edge of the orchard that is bent over to the point where it will never grow straight again. Each year the elements cause it to bend more. I am inspired by its spirit and think of people dealing with the elements of life. Support the show

As I have mentioned before, during this time when Nature presents a bleak landscape, my attention is drawn to elements that catch my eye, like a couple of leaves still hanging on the bark of a tree. In times when there are a lot of people competing for the spotlight, I am drawn to those that others may miss. Support the show

With the weather turning colder, the ground, which is still very moist from all the recent rain, is beginning to freeze. Ice crystals are pushing their way to the surface, and they crunch when I step on them, adding a new adventure. Support the show

It was fun enjoying the different decorations we collected to help us celebrate the holidays, but our collecting actually goes on all year round. One way we do it is to find magnets that we can display to bring back positive memories of our travels.   Support the show

As we wait for the ground to be covered in snow, I look for a little bit of color in Nature to brighten the day; today I find the greens of moss growing on rocks to be grateful for. I believe there is something each day that can color our hearts with love. Support the show

Today we have a blank slate in front of us. It is a new year, and, yes, there are situations which carry over from last year, but, by following our hearts with gratitude for the opportunities in front of us, we can bring about positive changes. Support the show

On this last day of 2023, many people will be making New Year’s resolutions that will more than likely last for just a short period of time. I prefer to establish a morning routine using heart-based gratitude to set my intentions for reaching my goals, not only for me but for the greater good of others. Support the show

We are fogged in again here in the mountains and I am reminded of times, both staying on the seacoast and sailing with a friend, where we could see just a few feet ahead. Now there is new technology to help guide us, and we always have our internal guidance when our brain seems fogged in. Support the show

The recent rainy weather reminds me of when I was a child, pressing my face against the window on a rainy day, wishing it would go away. I still feel like that in inclement weather today, except now I know enough to set my intentions for there to be always something positive shining in my heart. Support the show

Over the holidays my wife wished that we had a small Christmas tree to put on a side table. So, the day after Christmas she found exactly what she was looking for on sale. It is never too late to begin a new tradition any time of year. Support the show

I recently noticed some apples hanging on to a tree in the orchard well beyond harvest time. I also noted that the beech leaves were still hanging on while other varieties had dropped their leaves a while ago. I thought of habits people have that have long since served their purpose but still hang on. Support the show

The varieties of animals that pass onto our land include predators on the hunt for their next meal. They can take a toll on other animals such as rabbits, partridges, and even turkeys. It would be nice if people did not act as predators towards others but work together for the greater good. Support the show

Regardless of whether you celebrate Christmas, another sacred day, or something entirely different this time of year, our wish for you is, ”Peace on Earth, Good Will towards Man”. Support the show

A couple of weeks ago, it looked like we were going to have a white Christmas, but then Nature washed the snow away, and it will be a brown one instead. Still, we have memories of past white ones and can now dream of the next one. Dreams can come true. Support the show