Journals Along The Way

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Just arrived from the creek, checking in on the only known Monarch getting ready to spread it's wings. Last year we had dozens of monarchs, but this year I have counted no more than five on a good day. It's quite disappointing to see that they are not here this year, but it could of been the rough winter, and due to the overwhelming wet spring that we had endured. Next year we will have to get the cage out and just raise some more. The bees are doing well though.   29-Sep-2019

Going for a walk, generally turns into an adventure. I collect stuff, rocks, antiques, junk, and just about anything that I can stuff into my pant pockets. My collection has rewarded me with hand made stone tools, axe heads, broken pottery, bricks from the late 1800's, and much more. If you just walk around life kicking a tin can, you will never understand the history of it, nor the history and the life of a rock. I am making up for lost time now, and I enjoy everyday when I wake up, whether it is raining, hot, cold, windy, and especially if it is nice out. I am just grateful to be alive. I am here because of the people that cared enough about me, to see me get a re-start in life. There is some really great people out there, but you must go find them, and hold onto them dearly, never turning your back on them. 23-Sep-2019.

Stopped to record natures beautiful sounds this evening.  The wind whisked thru the trees, the birds chirped away, the frogs and insects were singing their melody's, as the sun slowly settled off in the west. I stood for a while waiting for the voices of my ancestors to whisper a note or two, sometimes, I wonder where they are. I find it to be quite interesting, that I am more in tune to listening to nature more now, than when I was hiking, fishing, and camping, in my younger days.  When I started losing my hearing in 2014, I had no idea that it would be so challenging.  Learning to live with going deaf though, has become quite educational, and life is what we make of it, I can always carry flash cards. But, it has not got me down, it has encouraged me to continue forward. 14-Sep-2019.

Grateful for finding a door to look out of, a door no longer locked by silence.

Grateful for the help from Friends, Strangers, many Strangers, my BHAP Friends, and Family, for whom one is forever in debt to.

And in a way, grateful to those that pushed, kicked, slandered, and harassed one, to the point of setting one Free.

Freedom, free of being silenced.  What a beautiful feeling, and one knows.  Sometimes, it takes some bad encounters, to create a positive return for ones life. 04-Sep-2019.

I have not sat upon a rock for many years, but I did today. It was warm, and I felt like a kid again, a life for which I never lived. As I stared out to the north, I watched a group of geese having their little get together, they are so joyful to watch, I admire their stability, and their ability to be as a family looking after one another. We could learn a lot from animals. There was three sets of Goslings' this year, they are no different than kids as they get older. The gander rules with an iron fist, and Mom goes about quietly, now and then nipping them in the rump. And, just as teenagers do, the Gander jumped three of the Goslings and shoved them all three under the water, they all got taught a lesson, and went next to their momma. I have enjoyed this year, and it has been good to me, I look forward to many, many more. But, that rock setting sure did bring back memories, from my much younger days of when I still had to be at my dads heels.  15-Aug-2019.