this essay is just what i needed to read today...the Fourth of July, day of Independence. I am having a hard time after this horrible week.
thank you for sharing your wisdom and yes, people SHOULD be very aware and afraid of "vintage" or older woman that have experienced traumas and joys, tragedy, childbirth and grandchild birth, among so many other ordeals, We are wise and intuitive, bold, wonderful and oblivious to what others think of us. Rise up, bad ass old babes as we take on this toxicity that is raging through the country
Beautiful words Lyn. It's just what I needed to hear after being so filled with fear and anger and just flat out disbelief on everything going on in our country and right here in LA where my husband, myself, my adult children, grandchildren and one great grandaughter live. I have let it all affect my well being and all the work I put in to battle the depression I have fought for so many decades. I am closing in on turning 70 in 2 months and you are truly an inspiration and lifeline for me. Here's to shining my light instead of darkness and protecting my beautiful Asian, Mexican and Swedish family. 🩷🙏 And to you and Calvin and your family.
My heart aches for the unnecessary suffering caused by your present administration. No longer the land of the free I fervently hope you remain home of the brave. Resistance and resilience are crucial to recovery. Your voice is so important. I agree, time spent in nature is precious medicine indeeď.
In a dark time, this column was such a beautiful reminder of the light that still exists within us and of the beauty of the natural world. These small moments distract me from the cruelty of the current era. Thank you!
Lovely. And I do love my foxgloves. But have always kept them where they can't be happened upon by innocent folks. I also love nettles. I let them grow in my vegetable garden. But they can have a nasty sting, causing severe dermatitis. Yet I revere that plant. We are old now and the space holders for so many. My rage is not hatred. It is born of love and compassion. We have more work to do and I'm sure most of us are up to the task. Blessings to you and fellow followers.
Such a wise and insightful piece. I wonder how you navigate all of the online toxicity…I want to stay informed and connected to those who share my horror at what is happening. But fine line between that and toxicity.
What a beautiful piece of writing Lyn. I have looked up Jeanne Sinmons - fascinating. Re Foxgloves they are in pretty much every English garden (& woodland) - my mother has stacks of them. We all know they’re poisonous - and don’t eat them! - but I never hear of any associated catastrophes. I went to Chelsea Flower Show this May & place was full of foxgloves - including in Monty Don’s dog-friendly garden, which in hindsight seems a bit odd, given they are definitely toxic to dogs. Just looked it up & apparently he was asked about this and - “defended their inclusion, stating he has these plants in his garden alongside his pets without issue.” Anyway, better safe than sorry. My friend Prue Gibson in Aus has a fascibation with poisinous plants. She writes about “dark botany”. I think you would enjoy her excellent book, The Plant Thieves.
Thank you for this. I have spent the day mourning. To see what our country has been twisted into...in just a few months. And now this horrible bill that is going to hurt so many. I am 81 years old. I have seen a lot of history. Never - even before the 2024 election - could I have imagined how fast this would happen. The Supreme Court is a horrible joke, bending to Trump and his evil cronies. I am doing what I can with Indivisible, making my presence felt as much as I can. I will never give in to this. Are we going to have mid terms? Or are they going to find a way to keep that from happening too? We have to do everything we can to stop this disaster. I hope that Calvin's treatment is helping him to heal. That is a great burden along with everything else going on in the world. I am so glad that you are in a place of peace. I have always loved foxgloves too. But good to relocate them where they will "do no harm." I remember them from my childhood in the South. I probably played with them...I guess I was lucky that no harm came to me. May we each stay kind. May we all be as generous as we possibly can to all who are going to be hurt - the massive numbers of people from head starters to elderly veterans. This is the time. We must help each other.
I knew, the moment I saw the photo, what this plant was and was curious to see what you have written. I love it all. I also love foxglove. Not for its poison, but for its beauty and ability to grow in hard places. To be like that, heh?
Pressing forward in today's world requires constant fortitude to the degree where my mind and spirit are is exhausted and I need to take periodic healthy breaks from the noise, backwardness and toxicity surrounding us from all directions. "Keep the Faith" seems fruitless yet is so necessary in the hope that this, too, will pass. Decades ago I though the pendulum had swung in a direction alien to my spirit but hopeful that nature would swing is back in the opposite direction. My Libra tendency toward balance. I am still waiting as the pendulum swings even further to an extreme degree I never imagined. Yet we must press on. We have no choice. Wishing all readers hope, love and support.
This was such a beautiful thing to read to set a course and intention for the day(s) ahead. Regarding the shady spots of the garden, I enjoy Japanese painted ferns, snake-eyes hosta, and winter blooming hellebores. The ferns are particularly graceful.
this essay is just what i needed to read today...the Fourth of July, day of Independence. I am having a hard time after this horrible week.
thank you for sharing your wisdom and yes, people SHOULD be very aware and afraid of "vintage" or older woman that have experienced traumas and joys, tragedy, childbirth and grandchild birth, among so many other ordeals, We are wise and intuitive, bold, wonderful and oblivious to what others think of us. Rise up, bad ass old babes as we take on this toxicity that is raging through the country
Beautiful words Lyn. It's just what I needed to hear after being so filled with fear and anger and just flat out disbelief on everything going on in our country and right here in LA where my husband, myself, my adult children, grandchildren and one great grandaughter live. I have let it all affect my well being and all the work I put in to battle the depression I have fought for so many decades. I am closing in on turning 70 in 2 months and you are truly an inspiration and lifeline for me. Here's to shining my light instead of darkness and protecting my beautiful Asian, Mexican and Swedish family. 🩷🙏 And to you and Calvin and your family.
My heart aches for the unnecessary suffering caused by your present administration. No longer the land of the free I fervently hope you remain home of the brave. Resistance and resilience are crucial to recovery. Your voice is so important. I agree, time spent in nature is precious medicine indeeď.
Think about hostas. Lovely flowers but, more importantly, gorgeous shades of green. Focusing on beauty in your yard helps to quiet the din.
In a dark time, this column was such a beautiful reminder of the light that still exists within us and of the beauty of the natural world. These small moments distract me from the cruelty of the current era. Thank you!
Lovely. And I do love my foxgloves. But have always kept them where they can't be happened upon by innocent folks. I also love nettles. I let them grow in my vegetable garden. But they can have a nasty sting, causing severe dermatitis. Yet I revere that plant. We are old now and the space holders for so many. My rage is not hatred. It is born of love and compassion. We have more work to do and I'm sure most of us are up to the task. Blessings to you and fellow followers.
Such a wise and insightful piece. I wonder how you navigate all of the online toxicity…I want to stay informed and connected to those who share my horror at what is happening. But fine line between that and toxicity.
What a beautiful piece of writing Lyn. I have looked up Jeanne Sinmons - fascinating. Re Foxgloves they are in pretty much every English garden (& woodland) - my mother has stacks of them. We all know they’re poisonous - and don’t eat them! - but I never hear of any associated catastrophes. I went to Chelsea Flower Show this May & place was full of foxgloves - including in Monty Don’s dog-friendly garden, which in hindsight seems a bit odd, given they are definitely toxic to dogs. Just looked it up & apparently he was asked about this and - “defended their inclusion, stating he has these plants in his garden alongside his pets without issue.” Anyway, better safe than sorry. My friend Prue Gibson in Aus has a fascibation with poisinous plants. She writes about “dark botany”. I think you would enjoy her excellent book, The Plant Thieves.
Hi Lyn,
Another powerful and insightful blog. Thank you for what you do.
Many hugs to you and Calvin.
So beautiful. I needed this today. I also love the practice or ritual of pulling a card every day to reflect on. I’ve done that for years.
Thank you for this. I have spent the day mourning. To see what our country has been twisted into...in just a few months. And now this horrible bill that is going to hurt so many. I am 81 years old. I have seen a lot of history. Never - even before the 2024 election - could I have imagined how fast this would happen. The Supreme Court is a horrible joke, bending to Trump and his evil cronies. I am doing what I can with Indivisible, making my presence felt as much as I can. I will never give in to this. Are we going to have mid terms? Or are they going to find a way to keep that from happening too? We have to do everything we can to stop this disaster. I hope that Calvin's treatment is helping him to heal. That is a great burden along with everything else going on in the world. I am so glad that you are in a place of peace. I have always loved foxgloves too. But good to relocate them where they will "do no harm." I remember them from my childhood in the South. I probably played with them...I guess I was lucky that no harm came to me. May we each stay kind. May we all be as generous as we possibly can to all who are going to be hurt - the massive numbers of people from head starters to elderly veterans. This is the time. We must help each other.
I knew, the moment I saw the photo, what this plant was and was curious to see what you have written. I love it all. I also love foxglove. Not for its poison, but for its beauty and ability to grow in hard places. To be like that, heh?
You are exquisite.
Pressing forward in today's world requires constant fortitude to the degree where my mind and spirit are is exhausted and I need to take periodic healthy breaks from the noise, backwardness and toxicity surrounding us from all directions. "Keep the Faith" seems fruitless yet is so necessary in the hope that this, too, will pass. Decades ago I though the pendulum had swung in a direction alien to my spirit but hopeful that nature would swing is back in the opposite direction. My Libra tendency toward balance. I am still waiting as the pendulum swings even further to an extreme degree I never imagined. Yet we must press on. We have no choice. Wishing all readers hope, love and support.
This was such a beautiful thing to read to set a course and intention for the day(s) ahead. Regarding the shady spots of the garden, I enjoy Japanese painted ferns, snake-eyes hosta, and winter blooming hellebores. The ferns are particularly graceful.
You are not alone in your despair! 🩷