December Frost

There was a hard frost this morning at my house.   I took some time before work to just enjoy the crisp feel of the air and the crunch of frozen ground beneath my feet.   Notice how the frost outlined the patterns in the leaves and berries.  I know it's cold, but this was beautiful.   Thank you God for frost, and for all the beauty that surrounds us.

Fairy Ring

My Mom had a mushroom "fairy ring" at her house this morning.   Do you ever wonder why you find plants growing in a circle?   I like to believe it is because they are communicating and expressing themselves as part of the sacred hoop.

Welcome December . . . .

It is really hard for me to believe that 2017 is coming to a close.   It seems like this has been such a short year, and also a busy one. 

I just finished a 3 year program of study in Southern Appalachian and Herbal Folk Medicine with Phyllis Light.   We are really fortunate to have someone like her to teach us, who is also so close to home and accessible.  (http://www.phyllisdlight.com/)  This has been a great program for me, and I've learned so much. 

I've also gone really deep this year into my personal journey with the Medicine Wheel.   I wrote a little workbook and shared it with a small study group over a period of 8 weeks, which we completed in October. 

At this busy time of the year, I always feel a little bit of a "crunch".   I dislike being out in the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping, and am really not much of a shopper.   I have asked my family not to give me gifts.   Instead, I just want to spend some quality time with my loved ones and those who are most important to me.

Around Thanksgiving, I felt that it was time for me to take a little "down" time just for me, to recharge my batteries and think about my life and work and what paths I hope to take in future months.   For the time being, I took down my social media, web pages, and other blogs and just left this one blog as a way to stay connected with the outside world while I reflect from my bear cave.  This is temporary, as I always emerge from my cave feeling energized and renewed. 

This morning it has been overcast and a little misty outside.  I spent the morning with some hot coffee and videos and my crochet hook and needle.  These feel very warm to me, and I enjoy working with fiber arts.

I thought it might be nice to use up some of my scrap yarn, so I made these little keychains.   They are so simple and quick  to make and there is a great tutorial on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCdq2XTD3-A   She designed these as little coin pouches, but I think they would be great for healing stones as well.    Perhaps at this time of year, some rose quartz for love, or obsidian for grounding and protection.  I think they are also perfect as small gifts.   They just feel good and any time you make something yourself, there is a little bit of your heart in the gift.  I used some scrappy buttons from my button box and some inexpensive key rings from the hobby store.  I hope you enjoy making these as much as I have.

Warm greetings, much love, and big bear hugs.

Spirit Bear

Art Heart and Healing

Warm greetings from the bear cave on this beautiful first day of Autumn.

I made a discovery this last few weeks that I wanted to share with you.  It's a program called "Life Book", which is a year-long art, healing, self-discovery, and art journaling program, all rolled into one.   Life Book is the realized dream of a beautiful and talented young woman named Tamara LaPorte.

To wet my feet and see what it was about, I signed up for Tamara's free class called Art, Heart, and Healing.   The drawing below is my effort from Lesson 1 of that class.   I thoroughly enjoyed this process, and can't wait for Life Book 2018 to get under way.

My Drawing from Lesson 1 Art Heart Healing September 17, 2017

This program really resonates with me, and I just wanted to share the links with you here so that you can check it out for yourself.   I wish I had known about Life Book a long time ago, but then all things are in Divine order.

You can find Tamara at https://www.willowing.org/.   There is a short video on the main page as well as links to the page for Life Book 2018.   The free class, Art Heart & Healing, is on-going, and you can register at any time, and complete at your own pace.

I wish you joy and blessings,

Spirit Bear

A Dream Blessing

Good morning my friends and family.

I've been going through some changes in my life of late and have been waking up frequently during the night. Those of you who know me well know that I have always worked though my life issues in the dream state, when my mind does not control my thoughts and my spirit.

One night this past week, I woke up with God speaking to me, as He was laid this verse form the Bible on my heart. I've studied this particular passage many times, ever since I was a child. Hearing it on waking from the dream gave me great peace and joy. What a blessing it was, and is, to hold and think of. Such a beautiful promise for all of us.

It reminded me that, no matter who we are, where we live or what our life circumstances may be, each of us is a child of God, and as His child, He loves us and wants good things for our lives. We are not alone, and we are so loved.

In these times where hope is hard to find, I offer you the comfort of this blessing, in the words of David from Psalm 23. May you always walk in beauty and grace. Much Love to you all.

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,
He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil,
for you are with me; your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Amen

Lavender from My Garden

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Happy Valentine's Day

Today is a beautiful day, intended to express love for those special people in our lives. Social media is flowing with photos of loved ones, cards, flowers, chocolates, jewelry and other gifts and tokens of love and affection.

There are those of us as well, who will not be spending time with loved ones or exchanging gifts. There are as many reasons why as there are fish in the sea.   It is never easy if you are the one going through it.

A good friend recently reminded me of this quote, I don't know the origin.   He said, "What is meant for you will not miss you.   What misses you was not meant for you."   I took great comfort in the words and have tried to remember them every day, one day at a time.

Photo from Desicomments.com

For many months now, my sister has posted and shared pictures of hearts.  She sees them everywhere.   In the rocks and trees, the shapes of leaves, little impressions in the sidewalk, shells on the beach and swirls in the coffee.  The more she looks for these tokens of love, the more the hearts keep flowing to her.  Her friends joined in, and now many other people are posting pictures of those little hearts that come to them during the day.

Witnessing this with my sister and her group of friends taught me something. I believe that the more we look for love and joy in the small pleasures of every day life, the more it flows back to us.  We become a "magnet" for that love, that just grows and grows. By giving of our love freely, it will return.   Perhaps not in the way that we hope or think, but it will come back to us.

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you."  John 15:12

If you are going through a lonely or difficult time in your life, remember that you are not alone.  Our Creator loves us more than we can possibly imagine, and wants good things for our lives.  This I believe with all of my heart and soul.

So here is my Valentine's Day hug and prayer for you.   May our Lord bless you and keep you.   May your life be filled with peace, love, joy, hope, and good health for all of your days.   There is no one else on Earth just like you, and you are so loved.  As my wise friend said to me, "Be patient a little longer."

May you walk in beauty and grace,

Spirit Bear

  

Feeling Gratitude

This morning I had a flashback of an incident that happened several years ago. I was working out of town, and was driving home through Talladega in severe weather. Tornado warnings had been issued. A tire blew on my vehicle and I was sitting there, on the side of the road with no cell service and a tornado on the way.

I was desperately trying to get a call out, when a young man tapped on my window. He said, "M'am, I don't want to scare you, but I can see you're in distress." In no time, he replaced the tire with the spare and had me back on the road. About a mile later, I came up on an out of the way office building, and I sought shelter just as the worst of the storm hit. He pulled in right behind me and we stayed in that office until the storm blew over.

I wish that I could go back to that day and tell that young man what a blessing he was, and how thankful I was that he stopped to help me. I know that I thanked him, but wish I could have done more.

Even as I write this, I realize that, if I am thinking of him, there is a reason, and it is never to late to remember and show gratitude. So, I would like to take this moment to thank that young man for helping me. I did not forget your kindness. I hope that in my life, I can remember to be like you, and to help others when they need it and where I can. Wherever you are, wherever life has taken you, I ask our Creator to protect you and to give you a special blessing in your life, right now. I am thinking of you, and may God bless you.