Solandana

Sometimes, you spot the herd from the road. I never understand people that drive these curvy roads so fast, you miss so much. A small fragment of the main herd. A morning soak in the sun, how wise the wild ones are. No need to be told of self care. Nature is a harsh, yet benevolent mentor. The wise, wild ones listen and know. What a blessing to soak in their tutelage. 

Whenever I need to recharge - the mountain helps me to, in no time at all.   

 She was found along the road, a 4th of July weekend, broken legs and all. She was brought home to heal. In no time at all, she ran the family. A tiny package of mighty chihuahua. When Duane showed up last year - she let him know in short order who ran the pack. It was the funniest thing to see that giant dog cower to little Phife.  I will always remember the Christmas Eve dinner at our old home. The elder bunch of siblings and spouses gathered around the table after the meal. Phife dressed in her red velvet, white fluffy trim and rhinestone finest. She rested on my lap. My sisters other half wanted to get up and stretch his legs. Phife eyed him with disapproval. She scanned the room to note no one else was getting up from the table. She gave him a commanding bark to sit down and Mike did. I was sarcastically mimicking her voice - "sit down, I don't see anyone else getting up".  We all had a good chuckle as Mike sat down and acquiesced. I told him, "get up, don't...

  She kept an eye on me for quite some time, perhaps even months. Spying my actions as I worked my daily barn chores. Then, one day,  she boldly proclaimed Solandana her own. A rogue red hen, now named Irene Henrietta Reed. So bold she commands the pack the feral cats around the place. Even rousts them from their food.  Pooping on my porch, roosting in the trees at night. Dodging the hawk during the day. She is one tough chicken! Gene worries about where she will sleep come the winter snows. I tell him, "don't worry, she is one strong-willed bird, she'll tell us when the time comes." You'd think he know about strong willed women by now! There is so much to be entertained here by. The antics of the crazy red bird, the cats, dogs, horses and the wildlife - who needs TV? I'd much rather spend time outside with creatures that find us. It's time well spent that fills the soul, eases the mind and reminds one of the real value of life and freewill. 

   I hiked Tehachapi Peak. To the summit I went. What a treat. Something I have been wanting to do since I moved here. My body healing and getting strong, what a climb!   A pine supports a oak, a steady buddy upholds on a steep incline. A turn of the switchback and  only pines grow. Views so divine. Windmills, desert to the East,  Monolith Cement Plant, Angelino's tread what's left of that mound in a land miles away. The Norbertine Monastery and Brite Lake below.      A storm the day before, icy tree tops crown Her glory. The frozen wind crackles the limbs and chunks of ice hit the forest floor. I reach the summit and enjoy a granola bar, it was nearly frozen. Yeah, it was brisk! How I love this place!  Soul renewed, body feels blissful, alive and revived. Thank you Great Spirit. Related Reading Mountain Top   Mountain

      Sometimes you're at the right place, at the right time and you get a perfect shot you have been wanting for a long time.   The large, silver celestial orb that illuminates the night. Dipping behind the horizon, leaving the sun to shine its way. Thinking thoughts bigger than ourselves, our condition.  The mighty oaks. Ancient. Rooted. Timeless keepers of wisdom and endurance.  The greening of the hills, the return of Spring. The world is ready for rebirth. Somewhere between heaven and earth, humans make their way.  Life, Alleluia.

  A silhouette I did not recognize.  Larger, steadier than an eagle. Come closer my soul beckoned. Massive, looming, it hovered above the pasture. I saw the great bird fly.  A leading edge of Ivory on its midnight wings. Cruising closer, he hears the unspoken request. My arms outstretched skyward. A waggle of his wings as he flew over me.  Just like my late brother Bob did when he used to fly by us "groundlings" in his beloved planes. A tear in my eye, a deep gratitude for all the ones that sunk their hearts to make sure this blessed Condor would be born.  Snatched from extinction, our hearts melted in elation.   Flight so different from Eagles, Hawks and Vultures. Riding the tide of what is provided. A single flap of might wings and over 100 miles covered! The mighty bird flew large graceful circles, forming figure 8's. My enormous friend headed westward into the setting sun. A wingspan close to 10 feet. A day so complete, nature's encounter so sweet. The ...

    "Don't feed the ravens!" A farmer neighbor warned. "They'll eat all your crops!"  "It's not like I'm growing edibles" I replied. "And the crops I do grow, they don't touch". She smiled. A rebel child, her uptight religious upbringing dangles reconciliation, evidenced by the upside down cross tattooed on her neck.  Her harsh exterior only a facade, to guard her sensitives to nature and self.  "You know what I grow will be diluted and made potent". She has benefited from the remedies.  "Besides, they only hang out here and next door, they leave your place alone. Don't worry". Raven Medicine, sacred, shapeshift, powerful.  The Sacred Bird of the North. Known as a creative force by indigenous people, the bringer of life and order. I think humanity could use a bit of that now. I have long admired the hardiness of these birds. Found in the most extreme temperatures, Death Valley heat, to the tundra's ...

 Insanity, doesn't even begin to address. The mass hysteria, with less than a 1% death rate, the world awaits and lines up for an experimental jab.  Not a vaccine, a fragment of RNA, it needs your own cells to replicate. To hide. In previous animal studies, such shots initially seem helpful, till the wild bug comes along and blows the immune system to attack itself. Unto death.  No animal study was done on this jab. Those lining up are the study.   The same technology that sparked ill health GMO's bring, now within you. Changing you, changing the way your immune system was suppose to operate. What will the long term implications be? Vaccinosis will take a whole new turn. Most think the initial shock to the system is all to worry about. Homeopaths know, vaccinosis can take months, years to show.  It will be chronic, deep pathology that bankrupts families as manufactures are not held responsible for damage caused by their product. Often nerve damage, slow, de...

      It was Aug. 30, 2020, about 12:30 midnight. I was awakened from a deep sleep by the hurried and panicked footfall racing through the fallen leaves in the backyard.   The cats looked like Persian cats, their fur so fluffed out, eyes wide in terror, mind you they are short haired cats. I thought to myself it couldn't be a wild creature, I have never heard such fear in wild feet since we have been here.   I suited up and went to check it out. When I got to the den I heard whimpering. I thought to myself one of the little pooches needed to go potty. I turned on the light, only to see the aged pack dead asleep on their favorite cushions.   A heavy headed Goldie raised her eyes at me like, "what's going on"?   The whimpering continued. Then I spotted an oh so large beast peering in the den windows off the back porch. Oh great, what do we have here.  I opened the porch light to see the largest dog, a black and white Dane. Toenai...