Present for Thunderheads

Did you know that the World, Universe, he/she God, call it what you will, loves us so much it is always offering us presents? One of a kind unique gifts that all too often we never even notice?

I live in the desert. Seeing any cloud is a rare and treasured occasion for me. So imagine my delight when those pure white puff balls lounged on the mountains tops above me for several days. This time I was present for my presents and it is with joy I'd like to share the World's gift to me through my lens.....

The Battered Butterfly

I always find time to wander around in my garden at some point during the day. Usually the World has something to share with me .... well, always, but sometimes I'm too into 'doing' to notice. I've been trying to get a nice picture of a swallowtail butterfly all summer and the other day one was flitting around the lantana inviting my attention. I took a couple of nice images and it wasn't until I downloaded them that I noticed this lovely butterfly has had a few trials of it's own. Both wings were shredded.

How perfect! A perfect imperfection! If I care to look at anything deeply enough I'm sure I can find an 'imperfection' but isn't that what makes us special? Life experience can leave it's scars, but the healing, growing beyond and the wisdom learned that gives us our unique character.

Enjoy your life, little butterfly. You've earned it.

Getting Back to Me

It's been one of those weeks that where the challenges have bombarded me from all sides. By the end of the week self doubt was setting in heavily - I could have coped with these better....why on earth did I allow them to get away with that?...how could I have forgotten that? - and so on. Finally, yesterday afternoon, late as the sun was going down, I 'remembered' that I've always found solace outside in nature. In this case nature was my back yard, heaven on earth to me. Soon I received the inner promptings to go a get my camera. The World had something to say to me through the lens.

I was reluctant as I could see there was only a few minutes of decent light left but when I have a camera in my hand my thinking really does shift. With that in mind I dug it out from where it had been buried all week and these are the messages that came to me from the World thru my lens.

Catching the last of the sun's rays this black bee was high up in the flowers selecting nectar for it's hive. No self doubt there.


On the edge of the lawn commanding attention is the grand old prickly pear cactus. This year it is laden with fruit and I was reminded that nature's bounty is everywhere.



Further along with my wanderings this scruffy little bird invited my attention. I was reminded that it didn't matter how I look as God created us and values us all equally. We are not ranked according to our 'plumage'.


By now it was bordering on too dark to take a compelling picture but the World wasn't finished with me. I spotted a dove settling in for the evening on a branch safely out of reach of opportunist predators. As I gave it my attention I noticed it's mate was on a branch beside it. Doves are beautiful peaceful creatures and when I saw the two of them on different branches it occurred to me I needed to bring some balance into my thinking to create space for that peace and tranquility I'd been lacking over the week.



Feeling calmed and comforted I put those crazy thoughts to rest for the evening. This morning as I was revisiting my pictures with the thought I could use a few of them in this commentary the World sent me one last message.....



"See? There really is nothing to be concerned about! I will even scratch my chops right in front of you because there is nothing to be afraid of."

This little guy was literally right outside my office window and I was able to pluck my memory card out of the computer, throw it in the camera and take this without leaving my seat. How's that for a metaphor?

Gandhi would be Encouraged

Mahatma Gandhi is remembered and often quoted for saying "the greatness of a nation and it's moral progress can by judged by the way it's animals are treated".

This beautiful mare is enjoying a loving caress knowing she is safe and her future is secure now. With decades of carefully manipulated breeding behind her she was expected to run like the wildfires glinting in her fiery coat - and make a lot of money for someone. Instead she found her way to a feedlot, just another unwanted and frightened soul with a fast approaching expiry date.

Gandhi would be encouraged to know that this nation is morally progressing. Gigondas, and several of her companions are now living in stress free luxury. They were rescued by folk who care about the way this country's animals are treated.

The Bee Tree

The graceful remains of what was once a beautiful strong oak tree commands it's own space in the lush vegetation around it. Many may wonder what use is it now? Surely it's dangerous and could fall at a moments notice so why doesn't someone just cut it down?

Ah, but Mother Nature doesn't mind that it is old and bare. While that oak tree may not produce acorns any more it is still a valuable member of the forest as it provides a safe and spacious home for a large colony of bees.

Isn't it interesting that in nature forms change constantly but nothing is ever discarded as useless. I think, too often, we forget we are also part of nature and that the same rules apply to us. We value youth, health and vitality in this society, but some of us forget there has to be balance. For all this doing, there must be 'beeing'. Nature doesn't value one as being more important than the other.

The old declining oak tree hosting vigorous and industrious bees, perfect harmony.

Ducks in a Row?

The expression 'having to get my ducks in a row' means attempting to get control of various circumstances and situations in order for a planned action to be successful. Never an easy thing to do.

I have found when I try to control a situation too rigidly, I'm cutting myself off from the creative flow and can be setting myself up for failure. At the very least an action is postponed. I am learning that if I can get most of the ingredients in position then forge ahead allowing myself to be in the moment, then very often those last couple of ducks will find their place. Usually it's not where I was trying to force them to fit, either, but where they are most beneficial to a successful outcome. Or not. It is then that I find I really didn't need them anyway.

Life has a miraculous way of sorting itself out if we just allow it to.

Keeping in Touch

Our lives are becoming more hectic and although there is a huge push afoot to simplify, it is easier said than done. The internet is a powerful tool for sending a message to one person, or to the masses, instantaneously. Sending texts or emails to the latest personal communication gadget has become the accepted way to dialogue with one another. Just as fast as the message is sent, it is usually deleted. It disappears back into the ether without further thought.

Every once in a while I like to sit down with a cup of coffee and take the time write a long, thoughtful letter to a friend, or perhaps a relative. I smile when I imagine them dragging that endless pile of fliers and bills out of their mailbox and finding my letter buried amongst them. An invitation to find a moment to relax and maybe even think about others who would appreciate being remembered the old fashioned way. And do you know what? That letter is probably going to be around and revisited for quite a while.