The Mary Christopher Podcast

In Honor of Mother’s Day, for all Mothers, Everywhere I grew up in SW Oklahoma.  We raised cattle and horses and sometimes chickens.  We lived the cycle of Nature year round.  We planted wheat and oats in late October.  Depending on the weather, we could harvest truckloads of wheat and oats during the summer.  It was an amazing bounty.  The lesson I learned was this.  If we pay attention and work with Creation, we would do well, even during difficult times. One of the great blessings of farming is experiencing the rhythms and magic of Creation.  Even now, I am reminded every morning that Creation is the constant expression of a Creator who is more than we can even begin to imagine.  We are continually blessed and nurtured by all of Creation.  Creation expresses Divine Harmony, Beauty, and Bounty, even if we forget.  When the world of humans seems to be teetering on the brink, remember that all of us belong.  We are all blessed by Creation, every day.  Creation nurtures, heals, and sustains us all day and all night, with every breath we take. ~ Morning Prayers ~ Morning has broken like the first morning Blackbird has spoken like the first bird Praise for the singing, praise for the morning Praise for them springing fresh from the Word.   Sweet the rains new fall, sunlit from Heaven Like the first dewfall on the first grass Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden Sprung in completeness where His feet pass.   Mine is the sunlight, mine is the morning Born of the one light, Eden saw play Praise with elation, praise every morning God's recreation of the New Day.   ~ Celtic Evening Prayer ~ Deep peace of the running wave to you, Deep peace of the flowing air to you, Deep peace of the quiet earth to you, Deep peace of the shining stars to you, Deep peace of the gentle night to you. Deep peace of the Son of Peace to you,  All through this night.   (Morning Has Broken, copyright ~ Cat Stevens)  

“All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration.  We are the ones we have been waiting for.”  The Hopi Elders, Oraibi, Arizona, Hopi Nation  March 17, 2011 (Full Hopi Prophecy trans. Elder Dan Evehema) Whenever I read, “We are the ones we have been waiting for.”  I remember sitting with 2 of the Hopi Elders in Santa Fe and in Hopi.  It was a rare privilege that I shared with several other good friends, and thanks to my teacher, Beth Hin.  I do not remember the Elders exact words, but I do remember their peacefulness.  Their presence felt unshakeable!  I felt as if I had stepped into another world, which I had. Hopi is a sovereign nation in northeastern Arizona. The reservation is in part of Coconino and Navajo counties, encompassing more than 1.5 million acres.  It is made up of 12 villages on three mesas. I visited Hopi several times when I lived in Santa Fe and felt a deep respect for their culture.  The name "Hopi" comes from Hopituh Shi-nu-mu, which translates to "The Peaceful People" or "Peace-filled People" For me, the Hopi and the Celtic spiritual traditions seem very much aligned.  We have greater access to the Celtic traditions, and our language has the same basic roots.  When I think of the Hopi traditions and the meaning of Celtic prayers and blessings, they seem to resonate.  The Hopi, like the Celtic people, care deeply for the Earth.  We are blessed and strengthened by these 2 deeply rooted traditions, existing thousands of miles apart! The Hopi Prophecy translated from Hopi by Elder Chief Dan Evehema   This is The Hour… “You have been telling the people that this is the Eleventh Hour. Now you must go back and tell the people that this is the Hour. And there are things to be considered: Where are you living? What are you doing? What are your relationships? Are you in right relation? Where is your water? Know your garden. It is time to speak your Truth. Create your community. Be good to each other. And do not look outside yourself for the leader. This could be a good time! There is a river flowing now very fast. It is so great and swift that there are those who will be afraid. They will try to hold on to the shore. They will feel they are being torn apart, and they will suffer greatly. Know the river has its destination. The elders say we must let go of the shore, push off into the middle of the river Keep our eyes open and our heads above the water. See who is in there with you And celebrate. At this time in history, we are to take nothing personally. Least of all, ourselves. For the moment that we do, our spiritual growth and journey comes to a halt. The time of the lone wolf is over. Gather yourselves! Banish the word “struggle” from your attitude and your vocabulary. All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for.”   ~ The Elders / Oraibi, Arizona / Hopi Nation 

When the world is just way too much, what can we do?  So, this is what I did Saturday morning.  I sat on the front porch and watched the Birds as they came to feed.  We have 2 feeders in the front yard, and the Birds were busy.  They took turns, zipping in and out, eating a few seeds, then flying into the trees.  Some Sparrows were landing in the grass, hunting for Bugs!  There was constant activity, but it was peaceful activity.  Beautiful Birds, effortlessly flying from feeders to Trees and back again.   As I watched all this activity, I noticed my heart rate began to slow, and my breathing was deeper and easier.  After a while, I realized I really did not want to turn on my computer and “catch up” on the news.   I needed to do my morning writing, so I decided to write a few pages by hand.  Then, I gave myself permission “not to catch up” on the news!  What a relief!  I spent at least 30 minutes having toast and tea with Sparrows, Cardinals, Squirrels, and a Gorgeous Sunrise!  I did my writing, then went to the Farmer’s Market.  Watching Creation is a wonderful way to start the day!   ~ Morning Prayer ~   I arise today, through the Strength of Heaven:   Light of Sun, Radiance of Moon,   Splendour of Fire, Speed of Lightening,   Swiftness of Wind, Depth of Sea,   Stability of Earth, Firmness of Rock. ~ Evening Prayer ~   Blessing of the Three   The Sacred Three My Fortress Be Encircling Me. Come and be round, My hearth, my home.   Fend thou my kin And every sleeping thing within From scathe, from sin. Thy care, our peace Through mid of night To light’s release.

Celtic Daily Prayers for Easter Week April 2026   Christ Is the Light ~ Christ is the Consciousness that permeates and sustains all Creation, all day and all night, always.   Christ is the Presence that heals.  Christ is the Presence that can transform sorrow and grief into a peaceful heart.  Christ belongs to all Creation, shining through every Sunrise, in every Ocean breeze, in the Heart of every Mountain, and deep within the noise of human existence.   When we have lost hope, or try to distract ourselves from the madness of the world at war, Christ is Present.  Christ belongs to Everyone and links us to each other through our Hearts.  We are the World.  We are the Whole Family.  This is how Jesus walked thru the world, always recognizing the Light within each person, his Heart always available.  Being that Present and available is challenging and not easy, but always possible.  Being that Present is not easy, but always possible, always.  This is the Way of Christ.  ~ Morning Prayer ~   Deep peace of the empty tomb.  Deep peace of the morning garden.  The eye of the Risen Christ be upon us  in waking and sleeping.  The Risen Christ beside us always.  The Risen Christ within us always.  The Risen Christ go with us, this day and always. ~ Evening Prayer ~   Christ, the light to illumine and guide me.  Christ, a shield to overshadow and protect me.  Christ be under me.  Christ be over me.  Christ beside me on my left and my right.  This night be the Light within me and all around me.  This night be the Light that guards and heals me. This night be all around my house and home, Be with those I know and love. Be with all Creatures who share our lives. Be in the hearts of friends and neighbors. Be with those who now rest with you in heaven.  Through this night be within me and all around me.  Christ as Light.  Christ as my shield.  Christ be always with me. Christ, the Light of the World.

Spring has arrived in the Northern Hemisphere!  This means Fall is beginning in the Southern Hemisphere.  Farmers and Gardeners in the Southern Hemisphere are harvesting crops and getting ready for Winter.  In the Northern Hemisphere, we are waiting to get our native plants and vegetable seedlings in the ground.  For gardeners, Spring means tending new seedlings,  and watching the daily high and low temperatures.     It is very important to wait until after the last frost of the season before planting any seedlings outdoors.  There are often late frosts that can damage young plants.  Sometimes we wait and wait and still have a very late frost with no warning.  It is usually worth the effort to wait as long as possible.   In the southeast and south central United States, early flowers are budding and getting ready to burst into bloom.  Most trees are showing tiny leaves and may have tiny buds that will burst into bloom overnight.  This is a magical time of year with amazing colors, blue skies, and often windy days.   This past Sunday afternoon, I was sitting with one of my favorite pine trees, looking at the tiny blossoms in the grass and checking the sky for birds.  Before too long, I saw one hawk making a large circle over the field, and then I saw 2 more, all making circles.  They were just floating on the higher air currents, occasionally moving their wings.  Their flight was so elegant and effortless, it was amazing to watch!  I could have watched for hours.   Creation is amazing, if only we take the time to pay attention.  Every time I sit and rest with a tree, I always relax.  And, after a few minutes, my heart rate begins to slow down, and I take longer and deeper breaths.  Recent studies have shown that the health effects of regular “tree sitting” are very specific and can last for several days.  Most of us know if we are calm and relaxed, our whole system functions more efficiently.  Our blood pressure goes down, our digestion improves, and our immune system functions much better.  And, we are usually in a better mood!   Maintaining our health is so important right now because of all the drama and nonsense in our world.  As we know, if our stress levels are high, we may not be sleeping very well.  Tree sitting is an excellent remedy for ongoing stress and insomnia.  Sometimes I can even take a nap, sitting with a protective tree.  And, I love to meditate with trees.  My meditations are usually longer and deeper when I am sitting with a tree.   Spring is a great time for catching up on Sunshine and Fresh Oxygen.  Spring is also an excellent time for “Birding” and counting those lovely light yellow butterflies that are flitting through our yards and parks.  If possible, leave the leaves in your yard as long as possible.  Tiny Creatures like Fireflies, Lady Beetles, worms, and all the ones that we can barely see need more time and protection from the weather to survive and thrive!  Fireflies need 2 seasons to mature, so if you want to see Fireflies this season and next year, leave the leaves and don’t use pesticides !!!   Remember, if we take care of Creation, Creation will always take care of us!

Spring has arrived in the northern hemisphere!  Winter is for resting while Spring is for Being Outside, breathing fresh air, and enjoying the Beauty of Creation.  Spring is tiny flowers opening in green grass, a new foal learning to run in the pasture, and buds showing up on fruit trees.  We are seeing new visitors at our bird feeders. Dandelions are everywhere in the yard.  Spring is radiant color and pure joy for us to savor. As we are well aware, the world of humans can be extremely difficult.  We can’t ignore our responsibilities in the world, but we can heal our hearts by soaking up the beauty and wonder of Spring.  The world is often “too much with us” as my mom used to say.  At the same time, Creation is with us and all around us, and within us.  We are part of Creation!  The Beauty of Creation is also the Beauty and Light living within each of us.  We can always celebrate that Light.  Spring offers Renewal and Light and Hope.   ~ Morning Prayers ~ Christ above me,   Christ below me, Christ before me,   Christ behind me, Christ within me. Christ be on my right,    Christ be on my left, Christ when I sit down,   Christ when I lie down, Christ when I arise. Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me. Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me. Christ in every eye that sees me. Christ in every ear that hears me. ~ Evening Prayers ~ May the Angels watch me As I lie down to sleep. May Angels guard me  As I sleep tonight. Uriel be at my feet. Ariel be at my back. Gabriel be at my head. Raphael be at my side. Michael protect my Soul With the strong shield of Love. And the healing Son of Mary Touch my eyes with Blessedness.   Mary Christopher Celtic Spirituality Study Group

This morning when I woke up, I could tell it was windy outside.  I turned on my phone, checked the weather, and discovered it was 22 degrees outside and windy.  The wind chill was 12 degrees!  Brrrrrrrr….. !!!  So much for my morning walk!   I find my morning walk makes a big difference in my energy during the day, as well as my focus and concentration.  So, I do miss my morning walk, especially since the weather has been dry and warmer.  Regardless, I was not going for a walk with the wind chill of 12 degrees.  So, I did a few  breathing exercises to open my lungs and increase my circulation.  Then I did my morning meditation.   I have found that my early morning “spiritual workouts” are even more essential now due to all the chaos, confusion, and devastation in the world.  I need more time to get centered, relaxed, and at ease with myself.  This is one of the reasons that I am waking up earlier.  I need that extra time.  When there is so much violence and destruction and death on our planet, we all feel it, whether we understand how deeply we are connected or not!   We are related because we belong to the same species.  We are all Homo sapiens.  We descended from a small group of ancestors who lived in Africa approximately 300,000 years ago, give or take a few thousand years.  Regardless of our differences in appearance, all humans are 99.9% genetically identical.  This makes us one of the most closely related species on the planet!  If you trace your family tree back just a few thousand years, your ancestors - and the ancestors of someone on the opposite side of the planet - intermarried.  So, that works out to all of us being Cousins, x number of times removed.   Living in a chaotic and increasingly dangerous world does not help us to sleep, or digest, or make good decisions!  Wars and rumors of war always increase our anxiety and cortisol levels.  As we go into higher and higher states of alertness, our whole system usually slides into “fight, flight, or freeze” mode.  And, our amygdala is shouting “Danger, Danger, Danger”.  This is not good, unless we are actually in Danger!   Our amygdala is an almond-shaped structure within our brain's limbic system.  It is responsible for processing emotions, particularly fear, anxiety, and aggression.  It is focused primarily on our survival and reacts to any kind of danger or perceived danger like a fast-acting "smoke detector".  It triggers our fight-or-flight responses and regulates social behaviors.   When we live with such easy access to the “news of latest disasters” or bombings or major weather events, our amygdala can easily be constantly triggered.  This means we are living in and adapting to higher and higher levels of stress and alertness.  We are prepared for “danger”, but have no clear idea what that danger looks like.  Human beings are very adaptable, which is usually an excellent trait until we keep adapting to higher and higher levels of stress and our “danger hormones”.   When we are “super-stressed” and walking around feeling hyper-alert, our amazing physical and emotional bodies are primed for danger.  This is exhausting and can affect our perception of events, as well as our response to everyday challenges.  We may have difficulty “falling asleep” or digesting our food.  Or, we may indulge in food that is higher in sugar or salt, or drink more alcohol.   When we are living in chaotic and dangerous times, we need to take good care of ourselves.  In most cases, this begins with recognizing when we are “stressed-out”!  It also means knowing how to “unwind” ourselves and calm down so we can “rest and digest”.   This is why I look forward to my morning walk and give myself almost twice as much time to relax and slip into a calmer and more centered state.  I do this just so I can start my day with a good meditation.  When we can shift out of hyperdrive and back into “cruise mode”, our mind begins to clear, and our heart rate will slow down.  Our digestion begins to function better, and our immune system comes back online.  We may even make better decisions!   So, take the time you need to restore peace and calm to your system.  Be aware of your heart rate and where your “train of thought” is headed.  If you catch yourself having negative or fearful thoughts, then do whatever you need to do to restore your sanity.   As always, Creation is available to help us restore our sanity and good humor.  Remember, Creation is always providing Fresh Air, Water, Flowers, Food, Honey, and Butterflies.  Squirrels are still having a great time chasing each other up and down trees.  Sunrise is always dependable, and photosynthesis is working just fine!  Thank Goodness !!!   Take really good care of yourself.  We will get through this current Insanity.  See you next week !!!

Instinctively, we know that “caring for Creation” is directly related to our survival as Human Beings as well as the health and well-being of this Precious Planet.  These go hand-in-hand.   We are blessed beyond our understanding by the Beauty and Resilience of Nature.  When I have time to walk in a forest or sit with an old-growth tree for a while, I feel so Blessed.  After an hour or two, I feel calmer and more centered, and much more at ease with myself.  Now that we are going through such insanity and devastation, I find I need even more time with Trees, Sunshine, and lots of Fresh Air.   This is also one of the reasons many people are putting in vegetable gardens this Spring.  Gardening is Grounding and Healing!  And, we have fresh vegetables and maybe even fruit or watermelons!  When was the last time on a hot afternoon, you sat in a cool spot, under a Tree, and ate fresh Watermelon?  Probably too long ago … !  Remember, Watermelon is one of the very best ways to treat dehydration!  It is Nature’s answer!   When was the last time you walked into your new garden, picked a few ripe cherry Tomatoes and popped them in your mouth?  That is exactly what I will be doing this summer, because we are putting in a Garden this Spring!    Hanging out in the Woods with lovely Trees will lower your anxiety, slow your heart rate, restore your appetite, and your ability to taste food.  You will sleep better, and your immune system will start functioning again.  In general, Organic Gardeners are healthier, happier, and generally have more energy than people who are sitting in front of screens all day.   We will get through this current political insanity and cultural devastation.  It will not go on forever.  As we find our way through these absurd and violent times, we can create a better future by the way we care for the Earth and take care of ourselves.  Every tiny heirloom seed or small native plant that we put into the ground is our investment in the Future!   Here is one of my favorite morning prayers.  I like to read it outside, standing in the Sunshine.  I always feel stronger,  more grounded, and very Blessed by Creation and the Creator!    ~ Morning Prayer ~   I arise today,   through the Strength of Heaven:   Light of Sun,   Radiance of Moon,   Splendour of Fire,   Speed of Lightening,   Swiftness of Wind,   Depth of Sea,   Stability of Earth,   Firmness of Rock. 

Celtic Daily Prayers for the Week of March 8 2026 We have heard about the violence and destruction of the Nazi regime and the Roman Empire.  Did we ever even consider the possibility that our country would go down a similar road of destruction and devastation?  Regardless of our political persuasion, we are now seeing our current “government” acting deliberately beyond our Constitution.  This is beyond what most of us could have ever imagined in our wildest speculations.  But, here we are!  What can we do … ?   There is plenty to do right here and now!  We can speak up.  Even though we may be stunned by the constant news of wars and betrayal, there are groups, well organized, who are “speaking truth to power”!  We can do more for our neighbors and the people we know who are struggling.  And, we can take better care of the Earth.  Spring is just a few days away.  We can plant more Native Plants in our yards.  We can be sure the Birds in our neighborhood have food and access to water.  We can support Pollinators by using fewer pesticides and growing Nectar Plants.  And, we can dig deep into our own Hearts for strength and resilience in these difficult times.   ~ Morning Prayer ~   Dedicating the Blessings of this Day for Peace.   The Glorious Sunlight, The Fresh Breeze, The cleansing of Clear Water, The Beauty and Stability of the Earth, To the Good of all Life, To the Health of all Beings, To the Joy of each Breath, And, the Grace of each Moment For Peace on Earth.   ~ Evening Prayers ~   We ask The Sacred Three, To save,  To shield, To surround, Our Hearth, Our Home, This Eve, This night, And every night, Every single night, Each single night, May the Blessing of the Sacred Three Abide.

Caring for Ourselves in the Midst of Chaos  We are currently going through extremely difficult and challenging times!  What matters most is the way we move through every day of this ongoing chaos.  The way we walk through every moment determines our health and well-being.  All this Insanity will not last forever, even though it feels like it might.  So, we need to be as conscious and creative as possible.  We want to be the ones creating a better world. We all have feelings of frustration, anxiety, possibly depression, or extreme anger.  These feelings are normal given the circumstances.  However, we do not want these emotions to take over our lives.  We want to develop our ability to shift out of our dissonate, negative emotions.  That is easy to say and often very difficult to do.  If we linger in strong emotions, we are actually pushing ourselves toward depression and short-circuiting our immune system.  And, we may not realize what is happening! Whenever we move from frustration or fear into prolonged anger, our nervous system reads that as “danger” and goes into fight, flight, or freeze.  Because our subconscious does not know the difference between “them or us”, “you or me”,  we are caught in the net of our own negativity!  Then our system flips our survival switch, and off we go on a roller coaster of survival emotions. We all know people who have strong political affiliations.  Unfortunately, they may actually “love to hate”!  These intensely polarized people may even have “lists of people they hate”!  And, they are often very proud of their lists!  Meanwhile, their prolonged, intense anger is tearing their system apart.  Hatred actually constricts our heart!  People who sustain strong negative emotions for long periods often feel life is pointless, people are terrible, and the world is a total mess.  As they age, they can become bitter or move into deep depression.  No one wants to live like that! What can we do to take good care of ourselves during these difficult times?  For starters, turn off the computer, the big screen, and your phone.  We know we spend way too much time sitting and staring at screens.  Then, weather permitting, go outside.  Breathe fresh air.  Close your eyes, and listen to the Birds.  Look up at the clouds.  If it’s going to rain, find your umbrella and walk through the park in the rain!  Move your awareness back to Nature.  Remember, Creation is working just fine! The Sun came up right on time this morning.  The Moon continues to revolve around the Earth.  The Lunar cycles are consistent.  Water is still H2O.  Photosynthesis is working, as always.  Trees are beginning to bud!  Squirrels continue to chase each other up and down Trees.  They are having a great time!  It’s the human population that can’t seem to get along. So, we need to set an example by being Good Neighbors.  Check in with Friends who live across the country.  Hold the door open for someone at the store.  Send a note to someone who just had surgery.  All these “little” actions add up to Big Blessings.  The more we bless others, the more we are blessed.  As we allow our Hearts to open, we begin to move out of survival and into a much calmer state of Being!  We move from “fight, flight, or freeze” into a much more Coherent state of health.  And, we become more of a Blessing to ourselves and others.   We will get through this period of insanity.  We have had similar violent and destructive times in our country.  And, we have come out with better ideas and better systems for governing.  The more we work together and stand up for our Neighbors, the sooner we will move through all this upheaval and tragedy.  Remember, we are the ones we have been waiting for … !!!  

What do we do when the world around us seems to be going crazy and falling apart all at the same time?  We know distractions don’t work for long.  Falling into prolonged frustration and blame doesn’t work.  So, how do we stay healthy and useful to ourselves and others?   Staying Present and Grateful will usually move us out of the dumps.  People in ancient cultures lived more in the Present.  There was bread to bake, eggs to be gathered, cows to be fed and milked, work clothes to be mended, wood to be chopped and brought inside.  Celtic people were busy taking care of themselves, helping their neighbors, and using their daily prayers to keep themselves aligned with the Creator.  They were busy, and they were Creative!  Remember, Courage and Creativity come from our Heart.  Using Celtic daily prayers as a spiritual practice keeps us aligned with our Heart and with our Creator!   ~ Morning Prayer ~   Christ above me,   Christ below me, Christ before me,   Christ behind me, Christ within me. Christ be on my right,    Christ be on my left, Christ when I sit down,   Christ when I lie down, Christ when I arise. Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me. Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me. Christ in every eye that sees me. Christ in every ear that hears me. ~ Evening Prayers ~   May the Angels watch me As I lie down to sleep. May Angels guard me  As I sleep tonight.   Uriel be at my feet. Ariel be at my back. Gabriel be at my head. Raphael be at my side.   Michael protect my Soul With the strong shield of Love. And the healing Son of Mary Touch my eyes with Blessedness.

One of the most obvious reasons is that we need the Earth!  We need Trees, and Bushes, and Grass for Oxygen as well as food!  Green plants produce fresh O2 through Photosynthesis, a chemical reaction that takes place in the leaves of Trees and Plants and even Cactus!  Photosynthesis is “triggered” by Sunlight.  The plant absorbs Carbon Dioxide, CO2, from the surrounding air and transforms it through an interior chemical process into O2, sugars, and water.  Remember, we need Creation much more than Creation needs Humans! In order for us to survive, and thrive, we need O2 just to keep going through the day.  We also need clean water.  One new problem concerns the large amounts of water that are necessary to run the new AI Infrastructures.  These are being proposed across the country.  Many communities are having serious second thoughts because of the amount of water and the overall cost.   These facilities use great quantities of water to keep the system cool.  The expense for a city or town can cause the price of water and other utilities to go up for the whole community.  Usage can also affect the local ecosystem.  So, what originally looked like a “good deal”, could easily become a liability! Human Beings, as  well as All Creatures Great and Small, need daily nourishment.  In other words, we need food!  And, we need food that is healthy and full of nutrients!  Much of our soil is depleted.  Even using fertilizers and soil additives does not always restore the nutrients that we need to thrive!   During WWII, backyard Victory Gardens supplied more than ⅔ of the fruits and vegetables that people ate every day.  There are ways to restore nutrients as well as the health of farm soil without using commercial fertilizers or spraying crops!  Healthy Soil is a key factor in the health and well-being of all Humans and Animals.  One solution is to grow your own produce!!!  We could all benefit by growing and sharing our “home-grown” produce !!!

Celtic Daily Prayers for the Week of February 22 2026   Christianity originally arrived in “Great Britain” with Joseph of Arimathea!  For unknown reasons, following Jesus’ crucifixion and ascension, Joseph traveled to that island, bringing the gospel of Jesus to the Celtic tribes.  There is no written record of this, only legend.  According to this legend, Joseph came to the area we know now as Glastonbury.  He carried a hawthorne staff.  He discovered a spring that provided fresh water.  When he sat down, he put the staff into the ground where it immediately took root and blossomed.  The spring became known as the Chalice Well, and the hawthorne is still growing and blooming at Glastonbury!   Stories of Jesus and his teachings spread through the Celtic tribes and were woven into their daily life.  These native people had deep respect for Nature.  They did their best to live in harmony with Creation.  They had respect for a Teacher who could walk on water, heal the sick, and cure the lame.  They understood Jesus as a mystic who loved the deep mystery of Creation.  In the Celtic practice of Christianity, all Life is Sacred, from the birth of a lamb to the spring blossoms of the hawthorne.  They blessed the glory of Sunrise, grateful for the gift of another day.  We know all this from their ancient prayers.  The same ones we use in our spiritual practices.   ~ Morning Prayer ~   I arise today, through the Strength of Heaven:   Light of Sun,  Radiance of Moon,   Splendour of Fire,  Speed of Lightning,   Swiftness of Wind,  Depth of Sea,   Stability of Earth,  and Firmness of Rock.     ~ Evening Prayers ~   Blessing of the Three   The Sacred Three My Fortress Be Encircling Me. Come and be round, My hearth, my home.   Fend thou my kin And every sleeping thing within From scathe, from sin. Thy care, our peace Through mid of night To light’s release.

Our Democracy and our ability to retain it, is certainly being tested!  We had another week of ups and downs.  Among the “ups”, our Buddhist Brothers arrived in D.C. to a wonderful welcome by Bishop Budde and a host of dignitaries.  Many thousands welcomed them as they walked into the city.  Several thousand people came when they spoke at the Lincoln Memorial and at Washington Cathedral!  They were able to make this amazing journey because of their mindful intentions and spiritual practices.  Walking meditation is one of their core practices.  When we combine prayerful intentions with conscious walking, we are “walking” that intention into the World.    This practice is so similar to the way the Celtic Christians wove prayers into their daily life.  They had spoken out loud prayers, quiet prayers, prayers for journeys, prayers for working, prayers for cooking, and prayers for sleeping.  They expressed gratitude for everything in their lives, especially the blessings of Nature and “All Creatures Great and Small”.  They felt Blessed and intended to be a Blessing in their community!  This is one of the reasons we use Morning and Evening Prayers in our Celtic Study Group!  We are building Spiritual Muscles!   ~ Morning Prayer ~   "Thanks to you, O God,  that I have risen today,  to the rising of Life itself;  May it be to your own glory.  Even as I clothe my body with wool,  Cover my soul with the shadow of your Wing".   ~ Evening Prayer ~ "I lie down this night with God,  And God will lie down with me.  I lie down this night with Christ,  And Christ will lie down with me.  May the peace of the Spirit be mine this night,  To bring me rest,  And keep me from

Celtic Morning and Evening Prayers Week Beginning Sunday, February 8, 2026 As I write this, we are completing another week of almost unbelievable events, including conflict, violence, and absolutely absurd behavior from way too many people in positions of responsibility! It looks like the world run by people is running off the tracks! So, what can we do to maintain our own sanity and keep our lives on track? We can pay attention to Creation! This is the beauty of Celtic spiritual tradition. All Creation is sacred. This is reflected in their prayers and traditions. Sunshine was a Blessing. Rain was a Blessing. So, since it was much warmer this week, I spent time outside, soaking up Sunshine. I always feel better and sleep better when I can be in Sunshine. There is research supporting this, but I don’t need the research to know it works. The week before, I found 2 small potatoes that were sprouting. I planted them in little pots and put the pots in my sunny bedroom window. This week, both sprouts had grown above ground! Seeing plants grow reminds me that Creation is working all around us and within us! As I begin to feel grateful for all of Creation, I begin to feel better! My Heart slows down. My breath is deeper. And, I begin to relax. ~ Morning Prayer ~ I arise today, through the Strength of Heaven: Light of Sun, Radiance of Moon, Splendour of Fire, Speed of Lightning, Swiftness of Wind, Depth of Sea, Stability of Earth, and Firmness of Rock. ~ Evening Prayer ~ Blessing of the Guardian Angel O Being of Brightness, Friend of Light, From the Blessed Realms of Grace, Gently encircle me, sweetly enclosing me, Guarding my soul-shrine from harm this day/night. Keep me from anguish, Keep me from danger. A Light will you send me, To keep and defend me, O Beautiful Being, O Guardian this day/night. Be a Guiding Star above me, Illuminate each rock and tide. Guide my ship across the waters, To the waveless harborside.

Caring About Creation Is One Way to Stay Healthy !!!   As far as I know, my ancestors did not think of farming and gardening or ranching as “Caring for Creation”.  They considered their relationship with the land as “survival”.  A good crop of alfalfa, oats, or wheat meant cash as well as feed for livestock.  That translated as survival.  In other words, as farm people were waking up in the morning, no one was thinking, “What do I feel like doing today?”  No one would even imagine using any kind of telephone to check the weather!  Unless, of course, you wanted to call your cousin in the next county to find out what their weather was like!   Any grown-up who lived in a farming community had one general thought as they were waking up.  And, that thought was, “What does the weather look like today?”  Most farming and ranching activities are outside.  It didn’t matter whether it was raining, or snowing, sleeting, or way too hot, certain chores just had to be done!   This is also one of the reasons that our ancestors had “large” families.  Large families meant “free labor” as well as increasing the odds that at least a few of the children would survive.  I am always a bit surprised by people who take vaccinations and inoculations for granted or want to do away with them entirely.  Growing up after those early years of inoculations and vaccinations, meant more infants and young children grew up to become adults.     Taking a walk through the older section of any cemetery, 1900 ~ 1950  anywhere in the world, will show a significant number of graves for babies and young children who most likely died of “childhood diseases”!  I remember the first time I started paying attention to the dates on gravestones and figuring out how old people were when they died.  I was Surprised!  There were always babies and always young children in the cemetery!  What a heartbreak that must have been for parents and their families!   Mumps, measles, chickenpox, influenza, whopping cough, pneumonia, as well as tetanus and typhoid were often the cause of death for young people.     When I was growing up, it was not uncommon to hear about a family who had lost a young “almost” adult in a tractor accident or a gun accident.  I grew up with horses and cattle.  An unruly horse or a startled cow could easily cause injury or death for anyone in close range of their hooves or horns.  If my mind was wandering when we were working with cattle or riding horses, my dad would usually say something like, “You better watch what you’re doing!”     Fortunately, I seem to have a strong immune system as well as functioning peripheral vision, usually good for seeing large animals heading your way at high speed.  We all have an Immune System.  It is built into our bodies, part of a whole system of maintaining our health.  And, most of the time, it works really well.  However,  in order for Human Beings to stay healthy, we need Fresh Air, Clean Water, Healthy Food, regular Exercise, as well as sufficient calm and restful Sleep.  If we don’t take care of ourselves, then our Immune System will not work as well.  Human Beings are tough and fragile, resilient and tender.  If we get better at taking care of ourselves, then we will be healthier!   We know that vaccines have saved countless thousands of lives around the world.  We also know that we are picking up chemicals and other toxins from our environment and from the food we are eating.  We also know that spending hours a day in front of a screen is Not Healthy for us, for our children, or grandchildren!  We know this … !  And, now so many of us have a very strong addiction to “our screens”!  Research on immunizations is controversial, and everyone seems to have an opinion, usually a very firm opinion!   So, what can we do … ?  We can start by taking better care of ourselves, using good common sense.  We can use AI to research recent studies about vaccines (remember to ask AI to list all sources at the end of your research request).  If possible, talk to people who have good information along with experience.  Remember, once a subject becomes politicized, we may have to dig really deep to get to the facts we need!   We are living in very challenging, difficult, and divisive times.  Getting factual information may not be easy, even with AI.  So, if you can, start a small vegetable garden.  Take a walk in the woods.  Spend one whole day away from all the screens we hang out around.  And, be very kind and patient with yourself.  That will strengthen your amazing Immune System for sure!

Celtic Morning and Evening Prayers ~ Week of February 1, 2026  When the winds blow and the temperature drops, we know to take shelter and wait out the winter storm.  However, when political winds howl and chaos is raging in our neighborhoods, we are faced with difficult choices.  How can we protect ourselves and those we love when people with masks and guns no longer respect the rule of law or the right to privacy in our own homes?  People in Minnesota, Maine, California, and Oregon have been facing the disregard of their Constitutional Rights for weeks!  There is no guarantee of safety for anyone when masked, armed, and very aggressive people are patrolling our neighborhood, breaking down doors, and hauling people off to “detention centers”.     This is very similar to the experience of the Celtic people when they had surprise attacks by the AngloSaxons or Vikings.  These raiders were likely to take livestock, and any supplies they could carry.  The Vikings might take healthy women, or young men and young women to sell into slavery.  So, when Celtic families were praying for protection, they meant every word!  They were not sitting calmly in a well-appointed church, reciting prayers from a book with family and friends.  They were on their knees, keeping warm by the hearth, praying fervently for protection and well-being.  The ongoing chaos in our country can help us understand their challenges as well as their spiritual commitment.  We are blessed to have their prayers!    ~ Morning Prayer ~   Christ above me,   Christ below me, Christ before me,   Christ behind me, Christ within me. Christ be on my right,    Christ be on my left, Christ when I sit down,   Christ when I lie down, Christ when I arise. Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me. Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me. Christ in every eye that sees me. Christ in every ear that hears me.   ~ Evening Prayers ~   May the Angels watch me As I lie down to sleep. May Angels guard me  As I sleep tonight.   Uriel be at my feet. Ariel be at my back. Gabriel be at my head. Raphael be at my side.   Michael protect my Soul With the strong shield of Love. And the healing Son of Mary Touch my eyes with Blessedness.

Caring for Creation Is Caring for Ourselves  The events of January 2026 have gone beyond anything I could have imagined, ever.  That is not because I have a limited imagination.  I just never imagined that we would experience the level of cruelty, violence, and inhumanity that we have seen in less than one month into the new year.   There are “wild animals” who do kill for food and defense.  However, humans are the only creatures on Earth who organize, arm, and kill each other for power, property, money, or revenge.  And, we consider ourselves to be the most intelligent species on the planet!  What we are seeing and experiencing is Tragic and Senseless.   There is no excuse for this kind of violence.  I have lived in Texas, New Mexico, and southern California.  I have never been attacked, robbed, held up, had an accident, or any kind of violent encounter with an illegal immigrant during that time.  Yes, I know there are illegal and undocumented immigrants in this country, and it is a problem in definite need of a solution.  But illegal “aliens” are not lurking in every parking lot!   So, what can we do to restore our sanity and heal our Hearts after seeing and hearing about all this violence?  Good Question, and there is an answer as well as a cure!   No matter how insane our Human World seems to be, Creation continues to work just fine.  Do we ever wonder if the Sun is going to come up in the morning?  Do we ever doubt that we will have a New Moon followed by a Full Moon?  Water is still H2O.  The sky continues to be infinite shades of blue.  Squirrels still bury acorns, and forget where many of them are buried.  Buffalo herds are increasing in number and gradually restoring the Prairie!   This year, the number of Monarch Butterflies wintering in Mexico has increased!  Beavers are restoring wetlands in the US and Great Britain.  Honey Bees and Beekeepers are eagerly awaiting Spring.  And the Earth continues to rotate on its axis and follow its usual orbit around the Sun.     Gardeners, especially organic gardeners, tend to live longer, are more active as they age, and are usually more hopeful.  They are also good problem solvers!  Given the right conditions, seeds still sprout in the Spring.  The roots “know” to grow downward, and the stems always grow toward the Sun.  Sunflowers will continue to follow the Sun when they are in bloom.  “Plant a Radish, get a Radish, not a Buttercup!” (from the Fantasticks).  In other words, Creation, also known as Mother Nature, is working just fine.   Unfortunately, our culture has made wealth the ultimate goal rather than well-being.  How much property do we need to own to be content?  How many houses does one person or one family need to be satisfied or even feel safe?  From the perspective of Creation, human greed is a form of insanity.  We seem to have lost our sense of proportion as well as our ability to create Community.   Screen time is no substitute for a glorious Sunset or watching a fawn follow its mother through the woods.  Are we starving for the Beauty and Coherence of Creation?  Probably we are.  The good news is this … all we need to do is go for a walk in the woods or in a nearby park.  We can give ourselves and our families the Blessing of fresh air, Sunshine, and the Beauty of Nature.  Studies have shown that a few hours of “forest bathing” increases our sense of well-being, strengthens our immune system, and lowers our anxiety and stress, all for free!   When our human world gets to be too much, turn off the screens and head for the nearest park.  Or, plant some vegetable seeds in paper cups using a seed-starting mixture.  Keep the dirt moist and the cups in Sunshine.  Before too long, you will have the beginnings of a vegetable garden, right there in your window!  And, that will feel good!  Nature has the capacity to restore our sanity and heal our Hearts, always!

Celtic Morning and Evening Prayers ~ Week of January 25 2026   Most of us are familiar with the text in the New Testament where Jesus is asked by the Sadducees and the Pharisees what is the greatest commandment.  Jesus responds, saying Love G~D with all your heart, all your mind, and all your soul.  Then Jesus continues, saying, “Love your neighbor as yourself”.  He goes on to say, “all the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."  This sets the foundation of Christianity, and our commitment to these 2 abiding principles.   Just as the people of Jesus’ time lived under the heavy weight of Roman occupation, so did the Celtic people.  They also endured invasions of the Vikings, and the Anglo-Saxons for several centuries.  We are faced with the same challenges now.  How do we “love our neighbors as ourselves” in the midst of constant upheaval and violence?  We are seeing a good demonstration with the non-violent marches in Minnesota this weekend.  In freezing weather, more than 10,000 citizens braved the temperatures and possible violence to reclaim the rule of law for all of us.  They were potentially risking their lives, their freedom, and their safety to stand up for the constitutional rights of their neighbors and their own.   ~ A Blessing for the Stranger ~   I saw a Stranger yestreen, I put food in the eating place, Drink in the drinking place, Music in the listening place, And in the Sacred Name of the Triune, He blessed myself and my house,  My cattle and my dear ones, And the Lark said in her song Often, often, often Goes the Christ in the Stranger’s guise. ~ Evening Prayers ~   Blessing of the Three   The Sacred Three My Fortress Be Encircling Me. Come and be round, My hearth, my home.   Fend thou my kin And every sleeping thing within From scathe, from sin. Thy care, our peace Through mid of night To light’s release.

What a Mess!  It seems our American Experience has turned upside down!  Food and other basic expenses are up, and continuing to go up!  Political alliances are being bought and sold!  American debt continues to climb, and is rising faster than ever, apart from the pandemic.  What a Mess! We are living through very stressful times!  When we have ongoing stress and especially increasing stress levels, we need to take better care of ourselves.  We need to take better care of ourselves every day!  If you are tempted to retreat from life or revive any old habits that are not particularly healthy, then reconsider.  Think about the possible results of too much fast food, or too little sleep, or too much “doom scrolling” on your phone at night before bed.   In order for Human Beings to survive and thrive, we need the basics.  We need wholesome food, fresh air, Sunshine, and daily physical activity.  We need to be more grounded and spend a lot less time sitting in front of a screen!  The answer is staring us right in the face!  We need to get started on our herb and vegetable garden for this Spring!   Gardening, all by itself, meets all the requirements for Healthy and Happy living.  Numerous studies throughout the whole wide world have established that Gardeners, especially Organic Gardeners, are healthier, stronger, have better digestion, usually have better attitudes, and are great problem solvers!  Seriously, the gardeners and farmers I have known since I was very small are generally more patient, more resilient, and more positive about the future. From my own experience growing up farming and ranching, gardening and hanging out with Gardeners, I believe being directly involved with Creation is the answer.  That is what happens when we are gardening.  To grow anything, from flowers or herbs to organic vegetables and delicious melons, we have to pay attention to Creation.  Therefore, we are grounded in “what is working”!  Creation works just fine until humans, that’s us, start messing around with the internal programming or wiping out entire ecosystems!  Creation has worked just fine for millions of Centuries, all by itself!  You may have noticed, the Sun comes up in the East every morning, right on schedule.  We can time the beginning of the New Moon and the Full Moon every month.  And, we can time the beginning of a Solar or Lunar Eclipse right down to a split second, no problem.  If we put healthy organic vegetable seeds into good soil, in a biodegradable pot.  Then we keep it moist and let it sit in Sunshine.  Before you know it, there is a Sprout growing upward from the Seed!  All by itself … just Imagine!  Given the right conditions, that seed knows exactly how to grow and produce! When we are involved with and focused on Gardening, we are directly involved in Creation.  We are Grounded.  We are breathing Fresh Air and getting real Sunshine.  Studies have shown that our Heart Rate often slows down.  Our breathing is slower and deeper.  And, our whole system begins to relax.  That is real Health, all bundled up in one activity.  And, as a big bonus, we get good food!  What more could you ask for … ? Every city that I know about, has local gardening groups.  Even small towns have expert gardeners.  And, there are always local Farmer’s Markets!  And, most Gardeners are happy to share their knowledge and experience.  Gardening is such an easy way to make new friends!  We are also learning how to work with Creation.  And we are usually taking better care of the Earth!  What could be better?

If you are considering starting a garden to grow vegetables and a few fruits this Spring, here is a guide that explains how the ground beneath your feet shapes the health of your garden, your food, and your family.  Remember, our health starts in the Soil !!!  

Supporting your yard, wildlife, and your health… January might seem like a “quiet” month outdoors, but it’s actually one of the best times to do simple and basic, healthy activities that improve your yard, support wildlife, and set your garden up for a strong growing season. These activities get you moving in the cool air which is beneficial for body, mind, and spirit while directly benefiting (1) native birds, (2) beneficial insects and pollinators, and (3) planning your Spring Garden. Create a Winter Bird & Beneficial Insect Haven Remember: January is a tough month for wildlife: natural food is scarce, and shelter can be limited. You can help All Creatures Great and Small by doing the following: Setting up or refreshing bird feeders and water sources Clean existing feeders with warm, soapy water (or a mild bleach solution, rinsed thoroughly) to reduce disease. Refill with high-energy foods: black oil sunflower seeds, suet, nuts, and for some species, nyjer seed. Provide fresh water in a shallow birdbath; in very cold climates, use a birdbath heater or change water frequently.   Maintain “wild” microhabitats Keep as much leaf litter, seed heads, and brush piles in as many places as possible around your yard.  These areas provide a safe place for beneficial insects to survive the winter.  Seed heads from flowers like coneflower, rudbeckia, or grasses provide both food and shelter. A loosely stacked brush pile offers hiding spots for small birds and overwintering insects. Add simple insect hotels or bundles Tie hollow stems (like bamboo or spent perennials) in bundles and place them under an eave or inside a sheltered shrub. These can provide nesting and overwintering sites for solitary bees and other beneficial insects later in the season. Environmental and ecological benefits Supports native birds in lean times: Supplemental food and unfrozen water help birds maintain body weight and survive freezing nights, especially in urban and suburban areas with limited natural forage. Boosts natural pest control: Birds and beneficial insects you support in winter often help control pests (like caterpillars, aphids, and beetles) once spring arrives. Increases biodiversity: Even a small yard can become a mini refuge, helping migratory birds and local insect populations persist in developed landscapes. Reduces yard waste impacts: Leaving some natural “mess” (leaves, stems, twigs) keeps organic matter on-site instead of in landfills, where it can contribute to methane emissions. Why is January ideal to care for Birds? Food scarcity is highest: Many berries and seeds have already been eaten or knocked down; your feeders and seed heads become crucial resources. Insects are dormant: Cleaning and rearranging is less disruptive when many insects are tucked away in leaves, bark crevices, or underground. Easier observation and enjoyment: Bare branches make birds easier to see, turning this into a relaxing, mindful outdoor hobby during an otherwise quiet month. If you are considering a Spring herb or vegetable garden, you can do this in January 2026. Determining the appropriate planting zone and last frost dates for North Central Georgia. Plan your garden layout based on space, sun exposure, as well as companion planting principles. Selecting native or well-adapted vegetable, herb, and flowering plant species that are ideal if you are just starting a garden this year.  Look for seeds for plants that are quick to germinate, and resistant to mold or mildew. Be sure to use seeds that are organic, non-GMO varieties, with region-appropriate cultivars. Develop a seed-starting schedule, including soil preparation, indoor light requirements, and watering systems Then, in late March or early Spring, you can set up your garden beds or containers for transplanting in early Spring, using organic soil amendments and mulching strategies We will cover more about “getting your Spring Garden ready” in later articles.  If you start planning now, you will be all set to plant when Spring arrives !!!

Some years ago when I was living in Lincoln, Nebraska, I worked at the University of Nebraska Planetarium.  I loved working there.  I did research, helped write programs, and did presentations.  Our Christmas Star program was one of the most interesting, especially for grade school and middle school young people.  And, their teachers loved it as well. The 30 to 40 minute program focused on what could have been seen in the sky long enough to be spectacular.  And, been there long enough for the Three Wise Men to follow it to Bethlehem?  So, how could anyone figure that out … ?  Astronomers have been working on this for centuries.  Johannes Kepler and Isaac Newton discovered formulas describing how planets move.  After Issac Newton figured out the “Laws of Motion”, tracking the placement of planets through the Heavens was much easier. However, in the planetarium, we didn’t need to do any calculations.  The projector that put all the planets and stars on the overhead dome could do that for us.  All we had to do was “run the projector backward” to the general time frame of Jesus' birth.  Then we would run the projector forward and watch as different planets aligned to create “bright conjunctions” in specific constellations.  Astronomers could also compare these calculations with historical records of ancient observers in the Middle East and China.  These comparisons helped confirm possible time frames for very bright planetary conjunctions. Most current historians think Jesus was probably born sometime between about 7 BCE and 2 BCE (BCE is another way of saying BC).  That is a window of a few years.  During that time there was a conjunction of planets in the constellation we know as Pisces that could definitely qualify as a “bright star”.  It would have been difficult for the people who wrote the gospels to explain “planetary conjunctions”.   There is general agreement that the “Three Wisemen” were Ancient Astronomers who kept meticulous records of the movements of the planets.  They also would have studied the records of astromers who came before them.  In other words, they knew how to track the movement of planets through the sky, even though these planets moved at different speeds.  They could have known far enough in advance when to “pack up”, arrange for a caravan, load their camels, and head west.  In those days, everyone traveled by caravan for protection.  These were Wise Men, so they would have definitely been traveling with a group of people! Within that particular ancient time frame, astronomers agree there was a specific ongoing conjunction of 3 planets in Pisces.  The 3 planets that converged, over time, in Pisces were Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, and possibly Venus.  They gathered in or near that constellation for longer periods because they are farther from the Sun, so their orbits are larger and take longer.  Also, planets have retrograde motion that makes them look like they are going in reverse.  This is only an apparent motion based on our perspective from Earth. Jupiter is the largest planet in our Solar System and is usually very bright because it gives off more energy than it absorbs from the Sun!  Saturn orbits outside the path of Jupiter, and can be followed easily without any assistance.  This was especially true when there wasn’t any Light Pollution!  Mars is visible as a red planet.  Venus also moved through Pisces later in that time frame.  In ancient times, everyone paid attention to Sunrise and Sunset, Moon rising and setting, as well as those “bright planets” that moved across the backdrop of Stars. It is definitely possible that the convergence of Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars, including the occasional appearance of sparkling bright Venus, could have been our Christmas Star.  Tracking the convergence of these planets would have given the Wise Men enough travel time to get to Bethlehem.  We may never know for sure, but this is one explanation that does make sense and can be verified. Our “Christmas Star” programs at the planetarium were the most popular and held everyone’s attention.  It was always amazing to see those planets converging in the area known as the Pisces constellation.  We even had oooohs and aaaaaahs from many young people as well as adults.  Socrates is believed to have said, “Wonder is the beginning of wisdom!"  And, the expression of wonder or awe on people’s faces following the “Christmas Star” program was always gratifying.

Celebrating all our wonderful holidays this time of year is a great opportunity to “Count Our Many Blessings”.  Why would we want to do this?  What benefit would we have from actually counting “our blessings”?  And, which blessings would we count? All good questions, for sure.  I would suggest counting the Blessings we have from Creation.  Blessings like Fresh Air, Clean Water, Bird song, fertile fields and gardens, Earthworms !, Lady Beetles, Honey Bees, Carpenter Bees, Wasps, Spiders, Fish, and so many more!  These are just a few of the inherent and essential “Blessings” that make it possible for us to live on Earth as Human Beings !!! I did a search using Chatgpt, my new research assistant, and discovered some interesting numbers about the steady decline in “farm families” since 50 years before the Industrial Revolution.  I compared this to the number of “family farmers” from 1950 to 2000.  I knew there was a very steep decline, but I was not prepared for the numbers. In the United States, from 1780 to 1800, approximately 85% of the population were “farm families”.  By 1950, approximately 15% of the population were “farm families”.  By 2000, approximately 1-2% were “family farms”, and these farms were run more and more like “large-scale” corporate businesses. Farming has become more and more “mechanized”, based on a few specific crops that are planted and harvested by large and technically advanced machines.  If your tractor breaks down, you may wait for several days for a “properly trained” technician to arrive at your farm with all his sophisticated equipment to “run scans and fix” your tractor!  In the good ol’ days, some baling wire and a few adjustments with the carburetor might get you rolling again!  And, your wheat crop would be harvested before that hail storm arrived the next afternoon and flattened the entire crop!  Farming has become “industrialised”!  There are many benefits to that as well as many disadvantages! One of the obvious disadvantages is that fewer and fewer of us are engaged in any kind of farming or even gardening.  As a result, we are more and more dependent on corporations for our food and other essentials.  Many of us are at a distinct disadvantage because we don’t know or remember how to garden, or we are living in situations where we can’t grow any food.  And, we have forgotten what is “Essential” for living a productive and healthy life on Earth!  No one planned this to happen, but this is our current situation. Bottom Line:  In order for us, as Human Beings, to survive and even thrive, we need fresh air.  We need clean water, not just water that has been cleaned, but Energized Water that restores our health and vibrancy.  We need food without chemicals.  We need lots of fresh air from healthy Trees that are producing O2 through Photosynthesis.  We need Birds to maintain balance in the Insect World.  Birds need Insects for food for themselves and their young.  Since 1970, the Bird Population in the United States has declined by 1 Billion!  If we enough Birds, we don’t need to spray insecticides! We have forgotten there is a Balance and a Rhythm to Life.  We have forgotten because so many of us are removed from Nature.  We have forgotten that all Creation Is Sacred.  We need Grass, Trees, Birds, Earthworms, and Bugs.  Our lives on Earth depend on Nature.  And, we need to remember that Nature could easily do really well without us! During this holiday season, when you take a breath of crisp, clean air, thank the Trees for all the O2 they provide.  When you see a Bird in flight, and you watch them making a graceful landing on a limb, tell them “thank you” for their Songs, and their Insect Consumption.  If we take care of the Birds this Winter, they will take care of the Bugs this Spring and Summer! Many things in our lives are beneficial, but not all things are Essential.  Creation Is Essential, all day, every day.  Let’s remember how Blessed we are to live on this Amazing Planet we call Home!

Our Lady of Guadalupe — A Story from Tepeyac The morning air on Tepeyac Hill had always felt different, a little cooler and quieter, as if it carried memories of the people who had once climbed it with offerings. Long before churches were built in Mexico, this hill had been sacred to the Indigenous communities in the Valley of Mexico.  For generations, they had honored Tonantzin, on this special hill.  She was the Aztec mother-goddess. Tepeyac had long been a place where people prayed for protection, good harvests, and guidance. Near this same hill in December of 1531, Juan Diego, a quiet Indigenous man in his fifties, walked the dusty path toward the nearest church for morning worship. He wore a simple tilma, a cloak woven from coarse maguey fiber, and traditional sandals that protected his feet from pebbles.  In the 1500’s, life in this part of Mexico was complicated and difficult, due to the colonization by the Spanish.  Everyone, especially if they were native people, was suffering with disease, cultural upheaval, and deep uncertainty. Juan Diego carried one additional worry: his elderly uncle, Juan Bernardino, who lay dangerously ill at home. Juan Diego was doing his best to care for him, though he had little to offer beyond herbs, water, and his prayers. A Voice on the Hill ~ As Juan neared Tepeyac, something unusual happened. The air grew strangely bright, and he heard a soft voice calling him. “Juanito, Juan Diego …” Startled, he looked up but could not see anyone.  He heard someone call again and decided to climb up in case it was a traveler who had stumbled and fallen.  But, at the top of the hill, he saw a young woman, radiant and calm, dressed in a mantle of blue-green that shimmered like a sunset.  When she smiled, her face lit up.  Her voice was kind and compassionate.  Juan could tell that she was not Spanish.  Then she spoke to him in Nahuatl, his native language, and he immediately felt calm and reassured.  She asked him, "Juanito, the smallest of all my children, where are you going?” When Juan didn’t answer, she said, “Do not be afraid.” “I am the Mother of the true God for whom we live, the Creator of all things, Lord of heaven and of earth".  She told Juan she wanted a church to be built where she was standing, so her children would know where to find her.  She instructed Juan Diego to go to the Bishop of Mexico's palace and deliver her message. Then she said to Juan, “Go to the bishop and tell him what you have seen.” This was not a request that Juan Diego liked to hear. The bishop, Fray Juan de Zumárraga, was a very powerful man, and Juan Diego was very poor and ordinary.  But he agreed and promised the beautiful Lady he would go. The Long Wait ~ When Juan Diego reached the bishop’s residence after a very long walk, he was treated with disdain.  He had to wait for hours, sitting on uncomfortable benches with others who were waiting.  He was only one of many seeking an audience, and no one cared to bring him forward. When his turn finally came, he told the bishop everything he had seen. The bishop listened, but didn’t believe him. He told Juan Diego to return another day, and to bring proof or not return. A Second Encounter ~ Tired but determined, Juan Diego walked back to Tepeyac. The Lady appeared again, and she asked him what had happened.  Juan told her everything. “Juanito, do not be discouraged. Return to the bishop. Tell him again what I ask.” Juan Diego nodded, though he felt sad and discouraged. This time, when he visited the bishop, the wait was even longer. While he waited, important officials questioned him.  They made him repeat his story, over and over, watching him closely.  They were hoping to catch him changing his version.  When Juan was finally able to see Bishop Fray, he told Juan Diego he needed a sign from this mysterious Lady.  Obviously, the Bishop didn’t expect Juan to return! His Uncle’s Illness and the Roses ~ Before he could return to Tepeyac, Juan Diego looked in on his uncle and found he was much worse. Hoping to find a priest to administer last rites, he took a different path the next morning.  He was hurrying and trying to avoid the Beautiful Lady’s questions. But the Lady found him anyway. “Que pasa? “Why do you hide from me, Juan Diego?” she asked gently. Ashamed, he explained about his uncle’s illness and the pressing need for help. She listened patiently. Juanito, “Do not fear this illness. Your uncle has already been healed. Now go to the top of the hill and gather the flowers you find there.” Juan Diego was puzzled, “flowers”? In December?  How would he find flowers on a rocky hill that could barely grow cactus? But he did as she asked. At the top, he found something impossible: fresh Castilian roses ! They were a flower native to Spain and completely out of place during the winter in central Mexico. Their vibrant reds and soft petals were unlike anything that had ever grown there. He gathered them into his tilma and carried them back to the Lady.  Before he left for the Bishop’s palace, she carefully arranged the flowers in his tilma and sent him on his way with her blessing. The Sign ~ After another even longer wait at the bishop’s residence, Juan Diego was finally brought in to the ornate room where Bishop Fray received people.  The Bishop asked Juan if he had brought a Sign from the Lady.  When Juan opened his tilma to show the flowers to the Bishop, everyone in the room gasped. Where the roses had touched the cloth, there was now an image of a beautiful woman in a shimmering cloak.  It was the same woman Juan Diego had seen on the hill, her gentle face, her mantle bright with stars, her hands folded in prayer. The bishop fell to his knees. This was the sign he had asked to see! He immediately agreed to build the church on Tepeyac, just as the Lady had requested.  And, he did! Her Legacy ~ In the days that followed, Juan Diego learned his uncle had recovered, just as the Lady had promised. News of the miraculous image spread quickly.  Even as the church was being built, people came bringing their prayers, gifts from their meager harvest, as well as carrying sick family members or friends. Over generations, Our Lady of Guadalupe became a symbol of unity, protection, and faith for millions. She is especially revered in Mexico, also in Central and South America, and in the Southwestern United States.  The same image that the Bishop saw, still on Juan’s tilma, hangs above the altar in a much larger church, close to the site of the original one.  There are altars and churches devoted to her all around the world.  Thousands of people come to her sanctuary, asking for healing, protection, and guidance.  Her image continues to bring comfort to families, workers, migrants, and communities seeking strength and comfort during these difficult days. People turn to her for guidance, healing, and protection, and have done so for nearly five centuries. Her story connects Indigenous heritage, Christian faith, and the enduring promise that God’s love and compassion will meet people where they are, in the languages they speak, and in the struggles they share.

The Beautiful, and Very Busy Life of Leaves … There’s something quietly comforting about leaves - the way they flutter in a soft breeze, brighten up a yard, or paint the world with bursts of color every fall.  But behind their appearance, leaves on trees and bushes are some of the hardest-working little factories in nature.  Their daily activities keep our air clean, our soil healthy, our planet stable, our spirits uplifted. First and most famously, leaves are nature’s tiny solar panels.  Through photosynthesis, they absorb Sunlight and carbon dioxide, turning it into oxygen and energy for the plant.  This beautifully efficient system does more than just feed a tree - it generates the air we breathe!  Every leafy branch outside your window is quietly and efficiently producing oxygen all day long, without needing any help from Humans!  This highly efficient process has been going on for millions of years and is one of the core reasons that mammals are able to live on Earth! Leaves are also excellent at keeping trees and bushes hydrated and cool.  When they release water vapor - a process called transpiration - they help regulate the plant’s temperature, almost like tiny natural air-conditioners. This same process adds moisture to the air, contributing to local rainfall as well as keeping the environment feeling fresh and alive. Here is another amazing benefit!  Leaves are natural filters. They trap dust, pollutants, and even noise, making neighborhoods quieter and the air cleaner.  This is one of the reasons streets lined with trees just feel healthier, because they are.  Numerous scientific studies have also shown that neighborhoods with Trees have less crime! When leaves finish their active season and fall to the ground, their work isn’t over.  As they break down, they feed the soil with valuable nutrients. This creates a rich, fertile environment for future growth - like nature’s own compost.  Even the leaf piles children love to jump in are part of a this amazing cycle of renewal. Finally, leaves create a sense of emotional well-being.  Whether it’s the peaceful rustle on a summer night, the brilliant reds and golds of autumn, or the promise of spring’s first buds, leaves are woven into our sense of comfort and seasonal rhythms.  These cycles of renewal and restoration remind us that life all around us changes, renews, rests, and grows again. In every season and stage, leaves are always blessing our world.  So, the next time you walk past a tree or brush your hand against a leafy shrub, remember to say “Thank You”!  Remember, you are standing beside one of nature’s greatest Blessings - doing a hundred important jobs at once, always reliable and extremely efficient, without any assistance from us!

Why Does Leaving the Leaves Matter for Birds and Bees and Other Tiny Creatures in Your Yard? Keeping fall leaves on the ground - or gathering them into quiet leaf piles - is one of the simplest and most beneficial ways to Care for Creation! Leaves are not “yard waste.” They are Winter Homes, excellent Food Sources, and Protective Blankets for thousands of species who depend on those resources to survive the cold months. 1. Leaves Provide Winter Shelter for Insects and Pollinators Butterflies, moths, fireflies, lady beetles, native bees, ground beetles, and many tiny beneficial insects overwinter in leaf beds. Leaves protect them from frost, wind, predators, and sudden temperature drops. Many pollinator species cannot survive without this natural insulation. 2. Birds Depend on Leaf Beds for Winter Food Leaf litter is a natural feeding ground for thrushes, wrens, robins, chickadees, towhees, and other birds. They search for dormant insects, larvae, pupae, and eggs hidden beneath the leaves. Without leaf beds, birds lose key winter nutrition - especially protein needed for spring nesting.  Birds also need these Insects later in the Spring to feed their young nestlings. 3. Leaf Piles Create Mini Wildlife Sanctuaries A simple leaf pile in a quiet corner supports: overwintering butterflies native bees frogs, toads, and salamanders (regionally) fireflies small mammals beneficial beetles and spiders These piles stay warmer than exposed ground and release moisture slowly, protecting wildlife from harsh winter conditions. 4. Leaves Feed the Soil and Protect Tree Roots As leaves break down, they return minerals and organic matter to the soil, helping trees regain nutrients they shed. Leaf mulch also: prevents erosion reduces compaction keeps roots warm improves moisture retention supports earthworms and beneficial fungi 5. Leaving Leaves Helps Reduce Emissions Avoiding gas-powered leaf blowers reduces noise pollution and carbon emissions while keeping Wildlife from being disturbed during critical rest periods. 6. Simple Ways to “Leave the Leaves” Leave leaves beneath trees and shrubs. Create 1–2 leaf beds or leaf piles in corners of your yard. Wait until mid-spring to move or compost them—after nighttime temperatures stay above 50°F. Use rakes instead of blowers whenever possible. Lightly mulch some leaves into garden beds while keeping plenty whole for wildlife. Sources Xerces Society, National Wildlife Federation, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, USDA Forest Service, Wagner (2020), Tallamy & Shropshire (2021), Hallmann et al. (2017–2022), USGS & USFWS.  

Season of Gratitude    Caring for Creation by Mary Christopher   Many of us know that in the Celtic spiritual tradition, all Creation is considered sacred. From the tiniest bug to the tallest Giraffe and the largest Whale in the deepest ocean, all of Creation is Sacred.  All Human Beings, regardless of their place of birth, the color of their skin, or the sound of their voice, are Sacred!  Our eyes may be different colors.  Our hair may have a different texture.  And, we come in many sizes, some tall, some short, some round, and some skinny.  We are all the Children of G~D, regardless of size, or intelligence, or food preference!   In the Celtic spiritual tradition, every electron, proton, including the nucleus of every atom came into form from within the Creator.  Now that may sound like a play on words, but it is not.  Our science and technology is sufficiently developed for us to understand that particles become waves and waves can become particles.  The Biblical reference I think goes well with current science is from John:1 KJV.    John 1: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" is the first verse of the Gospel of John in the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible.    We know that when we “speak”, our vocal organs create “sound” which is, of course, waves.  So, one way we could think about Creation, is that all form was the result of sound.  Or, Creation reflects the “sound” of the Creator’s voice.  So, listening to rain, or the song of a bird during Sunrise, or someone humming a lullaby to their child is the “sound” of the Creator.  Obviously, we can use our voices to create, to build up, or to harm … our choice.   Most of us know that Creation is Amazing, and Wonderful, and Funny, and Awesome!  We experience that whenever we make the time to wander around in the woods, or rest by a lake, or just sit on the porch, watching the Sun come up!   As we move into this Season of Gratitude, let us remember and, by remembering, once again feel how blessed we are by living in Creation.  Even when “the world” all around us seems to get crazier and crazier, we can still breathe fresh air, see amazing colors, and watch Squirrels chase each other endlessly up and down Trees!   Here are 2 prayers from the Celtic tradition that may help us move more gracefully through our day. ~ Morning Prayer ~   Almighty G~D, Creator, This morning is Yours, rising into fullness. This Summer is Yours, dipping into Autumn. Eternity is Yours, dipping into Time. The vibrant grasses, the scent of flowers, The lichen on the rocks, the tang of sea-weed. All are Yours.   Gladly, we live in this Garden of Your Creating. ~ Evening Prayer ~   The Sacred Three, To Save,  To Shield, To Surround the Hearth, The House this Eve, This Night,  And Every Night, Every Single Night, Each Single Night.   Amen Mary teaches mindfulness and spiritual practices  for personal well-being and spiritual awareness.   Her Caring for Creation podcast is an excellent resource  for connecting with the Earth and restoring well-being.  You can listen to her podcast here …   Caring for Creation!  

Great Question !!! We Care about Creation because all our Fresh Air, Water, and Food, including our fruits and vegetables, come from Creation!  Fortunately for us, Creation is always doing its best to provide Fresh Air, Water, and Food!  Everyday, Green Leaves and Green Grasses are continually absorbing CO2 (carbon dioxide) and generating clean, fresh Oxygen for US!  We could call that the Daily Miracle of Photosynthesis! There is a continual weather cycle that can produce the rain and moisture we need for humans, animals, our forests, and our crops.  At the same time, every day we are spending millions and millions of dollars purifying the water we have already used.  I have a good friend who worked in a city water treatment plant for more than 20 years!  He told me it took time to adjust to the “toxicity” in the plant, especially when they were scrubbing down the tanks with strong chemicals.  He said some guys got sick and had to transfer to a desk position! For years, especially since the Industrial Revolution, human beings have been adding more and more toxins to our environment.  We use toxic herbicides and pesticides everywhere all the time without much thought about the impact of those toxic chemicals.  People used to wash their fruit and vegetables to remove dust or dirt particles that came from their garden.  Now we wash our fruits and vegetables with other “special chemicals” to remove toxins from the outside before we cook.  Of course, this does not remove any toxins that have been absorbed by the fruit or vegetable.  Now, we look for “organic” fruits and vegetables and hope for the best. My son, who lives in Georgia, is a Gardener.  He grows vegetables, only from Heirloom seeds.  And, he saves the seed from the vegetables that did well.  During spring and early summer, we discuss pollinators, soil quality, compost, how and when to plant, as well as last year’s crops.  We also talk about bugs and birds, which are common topics for gardeners.  And, we often trade photos of our favorite Bugs, Butterflies, Lizards, and Frogs!  You may not be a “Frog Fan”, but we can probably agree that the beauty, variety, and complexity of Nature is Amazing! I am always fascinated by the seemingly endless shades of Green that we see in Spring.  And, I love to look for the first blooms of plants with all their shapes and shades of color.  Creation has amazing variety and, at the same time, it has tremendous stability and resilience.  We can learn about stability, being grounded, and understanding resilience just by gardening or spending quality time in the woods.  And, we can always benefit by breathing that soft, freshly minted air from Trees.  We are Blessed in so many ways by the amazing Beauty, and Variety, and Radiance that surrounds us in Nature! During this season of Gratitude, take some time to be with Creation, to feel the fresh air, listen to birds calling to each other, or watch squirrels playing in the trees.  Being a Human Being, living on Planet Earth is a rare opportunity to experience beauty, resilience, amazing patterns like the Fibonacci Series, and the magic sounds of rain on the porch.  If we slow down, just a bit, we will be refreshed and renewed by Nature, a Blessing in Time and Space, directly from our Creator! 

Most of us remember seeing Dragonflies when we were growing up.  I grew up in SW Oklahoma, and I don’t recall seeing very many of them along the creek or by the stock tanks.  However, whenever we visited my aunt and uncle, who lived on a farm in the middle of Virginia, I saw plenty of them!  And, I was fascinated!     There was a lovely creek that ran through the property, about a mile from the house.  I spent hours at that creek, playing in the water, looking for small fish (it was a small creek) frogs, and turtles.  The creek was a clear-running stream with a sandy bottom and assorted rounded rocks.  It was lined with trees, so it was the perfect place to hang out on hot days in the summer.   I remember watching the Dragonflies zooming along the creek, sometimes just inches above the water.  There weren’t many mosquitoes, flies or small biting insects there.  The main entertainment was the gently flowing creek and the darting Dragonflies.  At the time, I didn’t know the Dragonflies were the main reason there weren’t many flies or mosquitoes, or midges.  The voracious Dragonflies were keeping the creek free of tiny stinging or biting insects.   Because their 4 wings are engineered to move independently, and their multi-faceted eyes, covering more than half their face, Dragonflies are amazingly accurate hunters.  They easily detect small flying insects, even against complicated natural backgrounds.  And, they have the speed and agility to catch them in mid-air.  Truly amazing engineering … !!!   In addition to their hunting skills, the presence of Dragonflies tells us that any nearby water sources are healthy and not contaminated with pesticides, all of which kill insects!!!  When we see Dragonflies, we know any water source in the immediate area is not poisoned!   The following is research on Dragonflies done during the past 3 years, along with the sources.  I hope all this research inspires all of us to give up pesticides and allow Nature to rebuild the natural balance that can make us all healthier!   Dragonflies: Nature’s Aerial Guardians of Balance in Our Ecosystems 1. Top-tier insect hunters Dragonflies are among the most efficient predators ever studied. Field and lab work summarized by UC Davis biologists in 2023 reports that dragonflies often capture up to 95% of the prey they pursue—an astonishing success rate achieved with predictive “intercept” flight and panoramic vision. Those feats aren’t just athletic showpieces; they translate into real, daily removal of flying insects from the surrounding air. biology.ucdavis.edu Crucially for public health and comfort, a 2023 meta-analysis in Journal of Animal Ecology pooled experiments across species and habitats and found strong evidence that dragonflies and damselflies reduce mosquito abundance, validating their role as biological control agents under the right habitat conditions. Effects were strongest where aquatic nurseries (for nymphs) and foraging corridors (for adults) were conserved or restored. besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com+1   2.  24/7 pest control - Underwater and in the air Dragonfly life cycles amplify their impact on pest insects. For months (sometimes years), aquatic nymphs hunt mosquito larvae, midges, and other invertebrates among pond plants and leaf litter; after emergence, adults take over the aerial hunt. Studies in working landscapes show this matters beyond backyard comfort. For example, 2025 research from the University of Maryland reports that well-designed farm ponds can support robust dragonfly communities that exhibit behaviors consistent with conservation biological control—useful for reducing biting flies around cattle without more chemicals. Department of Entomology Urban ecology is catching up, too. A 2024 open-access study tracking odonates across stormwater pond networks found that connectivity among ponds boosts dragonfly occupancy, suggesting that thoughtful placement of small water bodies in cities can strengthen natural pest control at a neighborhood level. PMC 3. Living gauges of freshwater health Because dragonflies split their lives between water and air, they integrate signals from aquatic and riparian habitats. New studies reaffirm their value as bioindicators: A 2024 study in Science of the Total Environment tested dragonflies/damselflies as “amphibiotic” bioindicators, showing their community composition tracks both water quality and surrounding land conditions—useful for detecting subtle ecological shifts. ScienceDirect Broader 2025 syntheses call for trait-based conservation that links species’ thermal tolerances, habitat needs, and dispersal abilities to the exact threats they face—so we can read what dragonflies are “telling” us about freshwater stress and respond precisely. resjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com+2hh.diva-portal.org+2 In plain terms: when dragonflies thrive, your creek or pond is likely oxygen-rich, structurally diverse, and less polluted; when they vanish, something is off in the water—or on the banks.

As we move through Fall to Winter and the temperatures continue to drop in north central Georgia, our backyard and woodland feathered neighbors will have a difficult time finding enough to eat.  We know part of the reason is the continued loss of habitat, along with fewer reliable seed sources.  Birds are hgh energy and need access to reliable sources of healthy seeds, possibly fall or winter berries, fresh water, and, if possible, suet.     We can easily improve the odds of survival for all our feathered friends with just a few additions to our yards.  Even one or two hanging bird feeders with nutritious seeds, a source of clean water, and a suet hanger will go a long way to improving their odds of survival.  And, we will have hours of entertainment by just looking out our window to see who dropped by for a healthy meal.  In this article, we’ll cover familiar birds who could use our help.  We’ll also focus on those specific birds struggling to survive in Georgia’s changing environment.  We have a list of easy and inexpensive ways to make your yard or your balcony a safe and welcoming place.   We have also included suggestions for specific native plants you can plant this fall that will feed and shelter birds when Spring arrives.  We can easily improve the odds for survival for our winged neighbors as well as increase the number of baby birds that will survive this Spring!

A scientific look at what’s happening in the U.S.   And, why it matters for farms, beekeepers, and all of us who Care about Creation. The short story in simple words … Across the United States, we’ve been losing birds—quietly, steadily, and in very large numbers. The best nationwide studies show that North America has lost about 3 billion birds since 1970. That big number comes from radar, long-running bird counts, and other careful science. It’s sobering, but it also gives us a clear signal: when birds disappear, it usually means the whole web of life—the insects, wildflowers, soils, and streams that support them—is coming apart. That’s what scientists mean by declining biodiversity. Science+1 In the past 12 years, newer “state of the birds” checkups and federal science updates have confirmed that the slide is still happening. Grassland and arid-land birds—think of meadowlarks, bobolinks, and other open-country species—are among the hardest hit, with losses above 40% since 1970 and continuing declines reported in 2025. Audubon+2NABCI+2 Below is a simple walk-through of what’s driving the drop, why it signals a wider loss of life, and how it connects to farming, beekeeping, and pollinators. What’s driving bird declines right now? Less and less habitat (places to live). When prairies turn into uniform crop fields, when fence-rows and hedgerows are cleared, and when lots of small wetlands are drained, birds lose their nesting and feeding grounds. The U.S. Geological Survey notes that North American grasslands are among the most imperiled habitats, and grassland birds have declined more than any other group. If there’s no place to nest and no nearby insects to eat, birds simply can’t raise young. U.S. Geological Survey Pesticides that remove a bird’s food (insects). Modern insecticides are designed to be powerful. A U.S. study in the last decade found that increases in neonicotinoid use were followed by measurable reductions in bird diversity, especially among grassland and insect-eating birds. Even when the chemicals don’t poison birds directly, they can sharply reduce the insects birds depend on to feed their young. That means quieter hedgerows and fewer fledglings leaving the nest. NYC Bird Alliance Window strikes and city lights. Hundreds of millions of migrating birds die each year by hitting glass, many after being drawn off course by bright city lights at night. Estimates commonly range from hundreds of millions to around a billion birds in the U.S. each year—an enormous toll that spikes during spring and fall migration. The good news: “lights-out” programs and bird-friendly glass can make a real difference. Lights Out Heartland+2Illinois Newsroom+2 A warming, weirder climate. Heat waves, late freezes, droughts, floods—these can shuffle the seasonal deck. Plants may bloom earlier or later; insects may peak at the “wrong” time; nests may be flooded or baked. Large-scale biodiversity assessments warn that these combined pressures are pushing many species toward decline, with pollinators flagged as a special concern (more on that below). IPBES+1 Why bird loss equals biodiversity loss … Birds are messengers. When they vanish, it tells us that the whole living community is under stress: native plants are fewer; insect life is thinner; soils are less healthy; water is more polluted; and the timing of seasons is off-kilter. Global biodiversity reviews over the past decade warn that nature’s “everyday services”—pollination, pest control, clean water—are being eroded. Birds sit right in the middle of those services, and their decline is a red flag that the system is fraying. IPBES+1 Think of a meadow in June. If the wildflowers are sparse and the insect chorus is quiet, swallows and bluebirds won’t find enough to eat. Fewer birds means more crop pests survive, which can push farms toward still more pesticides—creating a loop that hurts the wider community of life. That’s biodiversity loss in everyday terms: fewer kinds of plants and animals, fewer helpful relationships, and a weaker, more brittle system. Why this matters for farmers, their farms, and their families !!! Birds are natural pest control. On many crops, birds help keep caterpillars, beetles, and other pests in check. A 2023 peer-reviewed study found that strengthening bird communities near brassica and cucurbit fields improved biological pest control, especially on farms that kept patches of native vegetation. Farmers have long known this in practical ways: barns swallows patrolling a field, or bluebirds gleaning caterpillars from orchard rows. When bird numbers fall, growers often face more pest pressure and higher costs. ScienceDirect+1 When Birds decline, pesticide use spirals upward. As birds and beneficial insects shrink, farms can slide into a cycle of more spraying to chase more pests, which thins the food web even further. Research in the U.S. has linked heavier use of neonicotinoids to declines in bird biodiversity, especially for the very species that normally help with insects. That’s not a healthy long-term balance for farm budgets—or for the land. NYC Bird Alliance

Roots & Shoots: Growing Youth Leadership Around the World When I try to imagine a greener and healthier world, I usually think of Roots & Shoots ~ Jane Goodall’s inspired youth movement, growing hope from local to global.  In the early 1990s, Jane Goodall quietly planted this idea.  Today it is growing in dozens of countries, with thousands of groups and tens of thousands of young people working in small groups with heart, courage, and creativity.  They are dedicated to making this Amazing Earth a better place for all Creatures Great and Small, including Human Beings! A Brave Vision Emerged from Simple Beginnings Roots & Shoots began in 1991, on Dr. Goodall’s porch in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. She had been speaking at local schools, and a group of 12 teenagers, selected by their classmates, came to her with their concerns. Their primary concerns were deforestation, water quality, and wildlife decline in their neighborhood.  Instead of offering solutions herself, Jane asked them: What do you think you can do?  Together they developed a simple three-part mission: help people, help animals, help the environment. That small gathering became the first Roots & Shoots group.Roots & Shoots ~ The Jane Goodall Institute USA and Global From that first meeting, the Jane Goodall Institute nurtured the idea, sharing stories, studies, and encouragement,  the movement grew and spread.  Since 1991, local youth groups, school chapters, and community clubs in many countries adopted this model.  Young people obseerved their surroundings, identified a problem, took action, and celebrated their accomplishments together!   Children, Nature and Responsibility Structure & Organization: A Light Framework, Strong Roots Roots & Shoots is not centralized in the usual way of authority.  Instead it offers a flexible, but resilient form and support so that youth-led groups can bloom locally, while connecting with each other around the world. Chapters / Global Offices: In many countries, the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) or affiliated bodies host national Roots & Shoots programs. These may provide training, resources, communication, youth councils, and project funding.                                                Jane Goodall Institute Host Roots and Shots Programs   Local Groups / Clubs: At the grassroots, students, youth groups, or community members start or join a Roots & Shoots group — often anchored within schools, youth centers, environmental clubs, or informal community organizations.Roots & Shoots Anchored in Communities   Basecamps / Hubs (especially in U.S.): In the U.S., certain regional “Basecamp” locations act as hubs or gathering points, helping coordinate events, mentoring, networking, and amplifying local efforts. Roots & Shoots Youth Councils & Global Networks: Some regions convene youth councils (as in the U.S.) to highlight outstanding youth leaders, create cross-group collaboration, and include youth people in the  decision-making process.   Jane Goodall's Good for All News Shared Method & Philosophy:  Around the World, Roots & Shoots uses a 4-step formula (Get Inspired or Engage, Observe, Take Action, Celebrate) to guide participants in planning and developing. Children & Nature Network Because groups are relatively autonomous, the program’s strength lies in its flexibility and adaptability.  Young People choose issues that matter to them locally,  and at the same time remain connected to a global network of encouragement, shared stories, and occasional collaborative campaigns (such as ForeverWild, tackling wildlife trafficking).                         Collaborative Campaigns Roots and Shoots Does Not Publish local Membership numbers or locations. Because Roots & Shoots does not actively publish up-to-date, verified membership counts in its public materials, it is difficult to find reliable regional numbers.  The numbers listed below are estimates. Globally, according to Wikipedia, Roots & Shoots operates in over 140 countries, with over 8,000 local groups and nearly 150,000 youth participants around the world. Wikipedia Jane Goodall Institute’s materials do note Roots & Shoots is active in more than 60 countries. Jane Goodall Institute ~ Acitive in more than 60 countries In just the United States, Roots & Shoots, USA reports 50 states, 2,118 registered groups, and 63,540 youth taking action (though not all may be formal “members”). Roots & Shoots Roots and Shoots, USA also mentions that in 2022, Roots & Shoots youth operated in 65 countries. Jane Goodall's Good for All News   One of the most beautiful things about Roots & Shoots is seeing the concrete, imaginative ways youth take action in their own contexts. Here are three examples, each one drawn from Europe, Africa, and North America: Europe Bee “hotel” or insect habitat restoration (UK or Germany) Youth groups in Europe have built insect-nesting habitats in school gardens or local parks to support pollinators and raise awareness of insect declines. River litter cleanup & plastic waste campaign (Spain, Italy, or Poland) Young Roots & Shoots groups have focused on cleaning local riverbanks or coastal areas, documenting plastic pollution, and running awareness campaigns about single-use plastics. Urban greening/community gardens (Netherlands or Scandinavia) In European cities, youth have transformed small vacant lots or school grounds into native plant gardens, vegetable beds, or micro-green spaces, improving biodiversity and community food. Africa Tree planting & reforestation in Tanzania or Kenya In these locations, youth groups working near forests or rural communities, plant indigenous tree seedlings to restore degraded land, sometimes involving schools and community members. Water access/safe water filtration in rural villages Some groups design affordable water filters or promote clean-water campaigns in villages where drinking water quality is poor, combining environmental, health, and community care. Wildlife monitoring & habitat protection In regions near national parks, youth monitor wildlife corridors, support anti-poaching awareness, or plant buffer zones to reduce human–wildlife conflict. North America (U.S.-based projects) Pollinator gardens / native plant restoration One of the favorite projects in the U.S. Roots & Shoots groups is planting native wildflower gardens at schools to support bees, butterflies, and birds. Waste reduction & recycling challenge in high schools In these communities, students organize and lead campaigns to reduce plastic use (say, banning single-use bottles), improve recycling, or establish compost programs. Community tree planting or urban canopy expansion These groups partner with city or nonprofit programs to plant trees in neighborhoods to reduce heat, improve air quality, and foster community pride. For instance, in 2022, the U.S. Roots & Shoots program highlighted projects ranging from native pollinator oases to hydroponic garden initiatives as part of its youth portfolio. These Young People and their Programs are building a Better World, all around the World!  This is the Future!  The more we find ways to support Young People, their efforts, and aspirations, we are helping to create a better world, step by step.  Every effort counts and makes a difference in ways we can only imagine.

by Mary Christopher, Caring for Creation Series Jane Goodall was born, April 3, 1934, in London, England, and grew up by the seaside in Bournemouth with her parents and younger sister, Judy.  Jane loved animals.  She spent hours watching birds and insects in the countryside with the family’s dog, Rusty.  At an early age, Jane had the ability and patience to sit quietly and watch insects, birds, and other small creatures for long periods.  She already had an amazing ability to focus and concentrate, which was unusual for such a young person.  One of her favorite toys was a stuffed chimpanzee named Jubilee, a gift from her father when she was one year old.  According to her friends, Jubilee lived in her bedroom in her house in England after it was too tattered to travel with Jane.  By all reports, Jubilee was still there, with Jane all her life!  Jane’s mother, Vanne, played a huge role in helping her follow her dreams.  When other adults laughed at Jane’s ideas about traveling and studying animals, her mother encouraged her.  She told her to stay curious and never give up.  She also encouraged Jane to read about far-off places.  She helped Jane keep exploring the world around her.   One time, when she was very young, Jane had found worms in the garden, brought them inside, and wanted to sleep with them in her bed.  Fortunately, Jane's mother was very patient and understanding.  She explained to Jane that "her worms" would not do well living inside.  They needed their home in the garden.  Then Jane's very patient mother helped Jane take the dirt, with the worms, back to the garden.  She didn't scold Jane or fuss about the dirt.  She must have been a very patient mother!   Jane also loved books like Tarzan of the Apes and Dr. Dolittle.  These stories filled Jane’s imagination with dreams of living in Africa and studying animals up close, in their native habitat. When Jane finished school, she worked as a secretary and film assistant to save enough money for a trip to Africa.  In 1957, when she was 23, she took a big step, traveling by ship on the Kenya Castle to visit a friend in Nairobi, Kenya.  While she was in Kenya, she met Dr. Louis Leakey, a famous scientist who studied ancient human fossils. Louis was a Kenyan-British palaeoanthropologist and archaeologist whose work was to show that humans evolved in Africa.  He and his wife were able to show this, particularly through discoveries made at Olduvai Gorge by his wife, fellow palaeoanthropologist Mary Leakey.  They saw something special in Jane - her patience, her sharp eye, and love for animals - and Louis invited her to help with his research.  After working with the Leakey's for several years, he sent Jane to study chimpanzees at Gombe Stream Reserve in what was then Tanganyika (now Tanzania).  In July 1960, it wasn’t considered proper for a young woman to go alone into the jungle, so her mother, Vanne, came with her for the first few months.  Together, they set up a small camp near Lake Tanganyika, and Jane began her career! Jane’s first days in the jungle were full of wonder and often challenges. The forest was alive with the sounds of birds and insects, but the chimpanzees were shy and often ran away when she came near.  So, Jane would sit quietly for hours, watching from a distance.  Her patience paid off when one chimp, named David Greybeard, began to trust her.  One day, Jane watched as he picked up a twig, stripped off the bark, and poked it down a Termite mound to catch termites for a snack.   This behaviour had never been seen before by scientists!  Using a twig as a tool to catch termites was a revelation to the scientific community and began to change scientists' ideas about the intelligence and creativity of chimpanzees.  This behavior had never been seen before in wild animals! That moment changed the world’s understanding of animals and made Jane Goodall a pioneer in wildlife research.  And, it all began with a little girl who loved animals, a mother who believed in her, and a dream that carried her all the way from England to the heart of Africa. Jane Goodall continued her work, observing Nature, writing, speaking on behalf of many places and many species.  She and the young people who worked with her in Kenya, founded Roots and Shoots, an International Youth Program dedicated to "caring for creation"!  The Mission of Roots and Shoots is to empower young people to effect positive change in their communities.  Young People can help build a better tomorrow!  It starts right here, right now! 

Challenges and How We Can Help Hummingbirds? A Fragile Journey Despite their strength and beauty, hummingbirds face enormous challenges. They live close to the edge of survival every day. Their small size means they need constant food, water, and safe shelter. Even a short shortage of nectar or insects can be devastating. When it’s time to migrate, many species undertake journeys of thousands of miles. The Ruby-throated Hummingbird, common in the eastern United States, flies across the Gulf of Mexico in a single nonstop flight—500 miles over open water! Black-chinned and Rufous Hummingbirds travel through the western states and down into Mexico. These incredible journeys demand immense energy and luck. Difficulties Raising Young ~ Hummingbird mothers face predation, storms, habitat loss, and the daily stress of finding enough food while caring for helpless chicks. A nest shaken by wind or destroyed by human activity may end an entire brood. Facing Environmental Threats ~ Climate change disrupts blooming cycles, so nectar may not be available when hummingbirds need it most. Pesticides reduce insect populations, which are vital for protein-rich food. Urban sprawl and deforestation remove the trees and shrubs they rely on for nesting. How Humans Can Help ~ The good news is that every one of us can make a difference for hummingbirds. Here are some ways to help them thrive this fall and winter: Plant native flowers that bloom at different times of year, ensuring a steady nectar supply. Avoid pesticides and herbicides, which kill insects and poison the food web. Put out clean feeders filled with simple sugar water (1 part sugar to 4 parts water, no dye). Change it every few days. Provide water sources, such as shallow fountains or misters, for bathing and drinking. Protect habitat, leaving small shrubs, trees, and native growth for nesting. A Shared Future ~ When we help hummingbirds, we also help bees, butterflies, and countless other species. And in turn, we help ourselves—ensuring that pollination continues, gardens flourish, and ecosystems remain strong. These remarkable birds remind us that even in the smallest wings beats the heartbeat of Creation. Our care, our gardens, and our choices this fall and winter can give hummingbirds the chance not just to survive, but to flourish for generations to come.   Mary Christopher shares the gifts of mindfulness and simple spiritual practices, guiding others through one-on-one coaching and heart-centered awareness. She is the host of Caring for Creation podcast. Each episode opens a window into the Wonder of Earth and the deepening of our own spiritual awareness.

Tiny Birds with Astonishing Abilities Hummingbirds are among the most unique and fascinating creatures in the natural world. Weighing less than a nickel, they are built for aerial mastery. Unlike most birds, hummingbirds can fly forward, backward, sideways, and even upside down for short moments. But perhaps their most extraordinary talent is hovering. Their wings beat an astonishing 50–80 times per second, allowing them to remain suspended in midair while sipping nectar from flowers. No other birds in the world can hover with such precision. Nature’s Tiny Pollinators While we admire their beauty and dazzling colors, hummingbirds play a role far greater than their size suggests. As they visit flower after flower, their heads and beaks collect pollen and transfer it to other blossoms. This makes them vital pollinators—right alongside bees and butterflies. Their work ensures that countless plants can reproduce, which in turn provides food and shelter for other wildlife. Without pollinators like hummingbirds, biodiversity would quickly collapse. Many of the fruits and flowers we enjoy depend on them. That means our survival as humans is closely tied to these little birds, even if we don’t always realize it. Fueling the Flight To power their nonstop energy, hummingbirds need to eat almost constantly. A single bird may visit hundreds of flowers a day, drinking nectar and catching tiny insects. Their hearts can beat over 1,200 times per minute when in flight! This high metabolism links them directly to the health of their ecosystems. If native plants disappear, hummingbirds lose their food, and the whole web of life begins to unravel. Biodiversity Benefits for All When hummingbirds thrive, so do the plants, insects, and landscapes they help sustain. A patch of native flowers in your backyard becomes part of a vast network supporting biodiversity. It means more beauty, more food security, and more resilience against climate change. In their shimmering wings, hummingbirds carry a message: every creature has a purpose, and even the smallest beings keep Creation flourishing.

Hummingbirds Flying South Through Georgia (Fall) What’s Happening Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are the primary species moving through Georgia in late summer and fall. Adult males are first to leave—most by late August—followed by females and juveniles; by October, the vast majority have moved on toward Mexico and Central America. Georgia also enjoys a “second hummingbird season” as western species (especially Rufous) show up between roughly November–February. Leaving at least one feeder up all winter greatly improves your chances of hosting these visitors. Fall Timetable for Georgia Late July–mid-August: First southbound adult males appear; feeder traffic builds. Late August–mid-September: Peak movement; birds tank up before long flights. Late September–early October: Numbers taper; stragglers pass through. Mid-November–February: “Second season”—sporadic western winter hummingbirds (most often Rufous). Keep one feeder up. Difficulties Hummingbirds Face in Georgia Tropical systems & strong fronts in Aug–Oct can blow migrants off course or halt feeding. Habitat gaps where flowers are scarce late in the season. Pesticides that reduce insects (protein) and contaminate nectar sources. Window collisions & nighttime lighting around homes and buildings. Feeder competition from bees/wasps and dominant birds. How People Can Help in Georgia Keep at least one feeder up year-round; you won’t delay migration (it’s day-length driven). Use 1 part white sugar to 4 parts water; no dyes; clean weekly. Plant late-season native flowers with tubular blooms (e.g., salvias, cardinal flower, trumpet honeysuckle, jewelweed). Make windows safer (exterior dots/film ~2 inches apart) and dim outdoor lighting during peak migration. Avoid pesticides; offer a shallow water feature with moving water. Space multiple feeders apart to reduce aggression; use feeders with bee/wasp guards. Hummingbirds Flying South Through Oklahoma (Fall) What’s Happening In Oklahoma, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are common migrants statewide (especially east), Black-chinned are regular in parts of the west/central, and Rufous pass through in smaller numbers. In fall, adult males usually depart first and may be gone by September; females and young mostly clear out by mid-October (with a few stragglers). The state wildlife agency recommends leaving feeders out until about Nov 1 (or three weeks after your last sighting). Fall Timetable for Oklahoma Late July–August: Early southbound birds; some Rufous appear. Late August–mid-September: Peak passage; adult males thin out first. Late September–mid-October: Mostly females/juveniles; numbers taper. Late October–early November: Final stragglers; keep feeders available through ~Nov 1. Difficulties Hummingbirds Face in Oklahoma Late-summer heat and drought reducing nectar availability. Windy fronts & storms during peak migration. Habitat loss/fragmentation limiting stopover flowers. Window collisions & bright night lighting near towns. Feeder crowding/competition in dry years. How People Can Help in Oklahoma Feeders: Keep them up into late fall; 1:4 sugar:water, no dye; clean and refill weekly. Space several small feeders apart to reduce aggression; consider models with bee/wasp guards. Plant drought-tough natives that bloom August–October (tubular salvias, agastaches, trumpet vine, cardinal flower along creeks). Make windows safer with exterior patterns/tape; reduce outdoor lighting during migration. Skip pesticides; provide clean water (misters/drippers are great). Where Different Hummingbird Species Spend the Winter & How to Help Ruby-throated Hummingbird – Winters mainly from southern Mexico through Central America to Panama; some individuals linger along the Gulf Coast and southern Atlantic coast/Florida. Help: Keep clean feeders available in Gulf/SE coastal areas; offer sheltered flowering shrubs and safe windows/lights. Black-chinned Hummingbird – Mostly winters in western Mexico; more birds than once thought pass through the Southeast and some winter along the Gulf Coast. Help: Winter feeders and late-blooming natives in TX/LA Gulf region; window-safe homes. Rufous Hummingbird – Winters chiefly in Mexico (western highlands), with increasing numbers wintering on the Gulf Coast; shows up in the Southeast in winter more than any other western hummer. Help: Maintain at least one feeder Nov–Feb in GA/AL/FL Panhandle and Gulf Coast gardens; protect from cold snaps (swap feeders before dawn if nectar could freeze). Anna’s Hummingbird – Largely resident year-round along the Pacific Coast (some overwinter as far north as British Columbia). Help: Reliable winter feeders and winter-blooming shrubs in West-Coast yards; make windows bird-safe. Calliope Hummingbird – Winters in pine-oak forests of Mexico. Help: Winter gardens in Mexico/SW with flowering shrubs; in the U.S., provide clean feeders for rare winterers. Broad-tailed Hummingbird – Winters throughout highlands of Mexico. Help: Preserve/plant nectar plants in Mexican highlands and SW U.S. stopovers; avoid pesticides. Buff-bellied Hummingbird – Resident in NE Mexico and South Texas; some move north to winter along the central Gulf Coast (especially Louisiana). Help: Keep winter feeders in South TX/LA; native evergreens and wind-breaks for shelter. Allen’s Hummingbird – West-coast breeder; the migratory population winters mostly in central Mexico (some coastal CA populations are resident). Help: West-coast winter gardens with nectar plants; maintain clean feeders. Quick Feeder Recipe & Care (applies everywhere) Mix 1 cup white sugar + 4 cups water, no dyes. Clean and refill at least weekly (every 2–3 days in hot weather). Place feeders near cover but out of strong sun; keep several small feeders spaced apart to reduce territorial fights.  

Fall Migration Through Georgia Fall migration of birds and butterflies begins as monarchs, warblers, hummingbirds, and many other species journey southward from Canada and the northern states through Georgia, heading toward Florida, Mexico, and beyond. Timing Through Georgia Monarch butterflies begin their southward migration starting in September and October, with many arriving in coastal Georgia by November National Park Service+1. Bird migration in Georgia typically spans from early September through October dashboard.birdcast.info+3dashboard.birdcast.info+3BWD Magazine+3. Ruby-throated hummingbirds and others start migrating in late summer (August–September) and may continue into late October Instagram+15Real Simple+15BWD Magazine+15. Species on the Move Monarch butterflies Ruby-throated hummingbirds Warblers (e.g., Blackpoll, Cape May, Tennessee, Bay-breasted) Hawks and falcons (e.g., broad-winged hawks, kestrel, merlin, peregrine) Shorebirds and songbirds, including swallows and sparrows National Park Service+1BWD Magazine. Risks During Migration Habitat loss and deforestation reduce vital stopover and refueling sites, increasing mortality Facebook+10Wikipedia+10Wikipedia+10. Weather events, such as storms, can lead to bird fallout, where exhausted birds are forced to land en masse, often ill-prepared Wikipedia+1. Light pollution, especially at night, can disorient birds, causing collisions or delayed migration. How You Can Help Plant native nectar and milkweed species to support monarch butterflies and other pollinators. Maintain hummingbird feeders, especially during August to October Audubon+6Real Simple+6Georgia Wildlife+6. Illuminate whether it's safe to turn off or dim outdoor lights during peak migration nights to reduce disorienting birds. Support habitat conservation groups and join initiatives like Georgia's Fall Flyway Festival promoting native plant landscaping Birds Georgia+1. Fall Migration Through Oklahoma Every autumn, billions of birds and monarch butterflies migrate south from Canada and northern U.S. through Oklahoma, continuing toward Gulf Coast wintering habitats and Mexico. Timing Through Oklahoma Bird migration in Oklahoma is active from early September through October, aligning with continental patterns tulsaaudubon.org+1dashboard.birdcast.info+1. The BirdCast dashboard recorded over 24 million birds in flight through Oklahoma on August 31, 2025, with peak activity around 9:20 pm CDT dashboard.birdcast.info+2dashboard.birdcast.info+2. Species on the Move Monarch butterflies, migrating southward through Oklahoma en route to Mexico Wikipediamonarchwatch.org. Waterfowl (dabbling ducks, snow geese), wading birds, and shorebirds passing through refuges and wetlands Audubon+1. Raptors and other land birds using the Central Flyway. Risks During Migration Road mortality and collisions are a significant threat; monarchs and birds may collide with vehicles Birds Georgia+3Oklahoma Wildlife Department+3Travel Oklahoma+3. Habitat loss and fragmentation in the southern Great Plains affect stopover quality Wikipedia. Climate change may shift timing and resource availability, stressing migrants. How You Can Help Plant milkweed and native nectar plants along migration routes to support monarchs Birds Georgia. Support wildlife refuges and stopover sites by participating in citizen science or donating. Reduce vehicle speeds in rural and refuge areas during peak migration times. Report sightings to platforms like Hummingbird Central or contribute data to the BirdCast dashboard.

Caring for Creation and the Celtic Tradition  Back in the good ol’ days, meaning when I was growing up in the previous century as a “Baby Boomer”, I remember that people prayed for crops, for the health of their cattle, for a generous pecan harvest, and for people they knew in their community.  I know we still pray for people in our now widespread communities who need our prayers.  But, I don’t know very many people who are praying for their crops, or their cattle, or the health of a new foal.   I can remember standing out in our wheat field with ripe wheat grains bouncing against my jeans as the wind blew the wheat in waves across the field.  I remember my dad standing in the field, holding ripe grains in his hand, and watching the clouds move hopefully away from our fields.  Believe me, my dad was praying!  He was praying that the rain or the winds, or the hail would hold off until our very ripe wheat could be harvested and trucked to the elevator.  All across the prairie, farmers prayed fervently for dry weather to last until that last field was harvested!   My family farmed, raised cattle and horses, owned a farm supply store, and a grain elevator.  I helped out in the store as Chief Go-For when I was in grade school.  Then I helped with the wheat harvest at the elevator when I was older.  I knew when wheat needed to be sown in the Fall.  I knew when our cattle had to be moved off the fields of green wheat in early winter.  I knew all that ripe wheat went from our elevator by rail car to General Mills or Pillsbury after harvest.  And, I knew the farmers and their families, just like mine, were working year-round as well as praying every day for a good harvest, healthy cattle, productive chickens, and bountiful gardens.   In many respects, my life during the mid-fifties was similar to the way people lived before the Industrial Revolution.  It was similar in the sense that we understood our relationship to the Earth, and where our food came from.  We knew the wheat from our fields went to Pillsbury or General Mills to become flour.  Several families I knew, including mine, raised their own beef.  Most of the fruits and vegetables in our locally owned grocery stores were shipped from “the Valley” in Texas.  Some families owned small pecan groves for extra income.  If there was a good crop, we might find half a gunny sack of ripe pecans on our kitchen doorstep in the fall!  The same went for tomatoes and zucchini in the summer, and occasionally a pumpkin in the late fall.  Many of the families I knew were intimately connected in some way with the Earth, with Insects, Birds, Rain, Wind, Cattle, Horses, Bees, Snakes, and all Creatures Great and Small.   We understood that the weaving of prayer and hard work was deeply connected to our well-being and often to our survival.  We never talked about these relationships.  We just understood.  Because of those early experiences, I can go almost anywhere in the world and have meaningful conversations with Farmers, Ranchers, Gardeners, Beekeepers, Bakers, Brewers, families running Orchards, or Vineyards.  We speak the same language.  We have similar vocabulary, and often it feels just like “old home week”!      In the same way, I could “time-travel” back to Celtic times, change my wardrobe, rearrange my hair, definitely adjust my accent, and “sort of” fit right in.  At the very least, I could “help” with farm chores, moving cattle, and gathering eggs!  And, we would all be praying for the same outcomes!  Now, many of us are not involved with the Earth, or cattle, or horses, or bees, or baking bread.  As a result, our relationship to the Earth, to Creation, often doesn’t seem relevant, at least until there is a serious weather event or until our food supplies are interrupted!   In the Celtic Tradition, there are prayers for every aspect of Life, including the very mundane and ordinary.  There is a sense of God’s Presence with every breath.  Angels abound and are always available for conversation or in case of emergencies.   Here is a prayer that a Celtic herdsman, or herdswoman might say as they were turning out the cattle for a day of grazing.   Pastures smooth, long, and spreading, Grassy meads neath your feet, The friendship of God the Son to bring you home To the field of the fountains,     Field of the fountains. Closed be every pit to you, Smoothed be every knoll to you, Cosy every exposure to you, Beside the cold mountain,     Beside the cold mountain. The care of Peter and of Paul, The care of James and of John, The care of Bride fair and of Mary Virgin, To meet you and tend you,     Oh! the care of all the band     To protect you and to strengthen you.   Blessing for Your Day … Lucky stars above you, Sunshine on your way, Many friends to love you, Joy in work and play. Laughter to outweigh each care, In your Heart a song, And gladness, waiting everywhere All your whole life long.   Blessing of the Druidic Circle   Grant, O GOD, thy Protection;   and in protection, strength;   and in strength, understanding;   and in understanding, knowledge;   and in knowledge, the knowledge of justice;   and in the knowledge of justice, the love of it;   and in the love of it, the love of all existences; and in the love of all existences, the love of God. God and all goodness.

Every autumn, one of the most astonishing natural events unfolds right above us.  Yet many of us barely notice. Monarch Butterflies, with delicate flashes of orange and black wings, make an epic journey that stretches from Canada all the way to the mountains of central Mexico.  It is almost unbelievable that something so fragile could be so resilient.  But year after year, these tiny travelers follow a path that crosses through Oklahoma and Georgia in September and October.  This yearly expedition puts our yards and communities right in the middle of one of nature’s most amazing migrations! Here is what makes the Monarch migration even more fascinating!  The Monarchs that head south to Mexico are not the same ones that headed north the previous spring.  It takes four or five generations of butterflies to complete the full round trip.  In spring, a new generation hatches in the northern United States and Canada, beginning the journey southward.  Along the way, these Monarchs pause to breed and lay eggs on their one essential host plant, the Milkweed.  The eggs hatch into caterpillars, which gorge themselves on milkweed leaves, often stripping the plant bare in a day or two.  The caterpillar then transforms into a chrysalis, and finally emerges as a new adult. That cycle - egg to caterpillar to chrysalis (pupa) to butterfly - is a miracle of Creation in itself.   It is a complete transformation from a crawling caterpillar to a beautiful, vibrant, Monarch Butterfly!  By the time fall arrives, this “super generation” of Monarchs hatches from its pupa.  Unlike their short-lived parents and grandparents, this final generation can live up to eight months, strong enough to fly thousands of miles to overwinter in the oyamel fir forests of Central Mexico. So here is the key.  Monarchs can only continue their amazing migration if they have the right plants waiting for them at every stage of their journey.  Milkweed is absolutely critical!  It is the only plant Monarch caterpillars can eat! Without milkweed, there’s no next generation.  Adult Monarchs also need nectar plants along their path, from goldenrods in Oklahoma to blazing stars and asters in Georgia.  These flowering native plants are the refueling stations that keep Monarchs going, mile after mile.  When we plant native milkweeds, coneflowers, ironweed, Joe-Pye weed, and goldenrods in our gardens, we’re not only decorating our yards, we are creating stepping-stones for Monarchs as they migrate.  Our small patch of native plants may be the very spot where a Monarch pauses to drink, lay eggs, or even begin the next leg of its journey south!  By planting Native Plants in our yards and neighborhoods, we are being Good Neighbors to the Monarchs! In a world where so much feels out of our control, it’s comforting to know that something as simple as planting a milkweed or a cluster of native wildflowers can connect us to a migration story thousands of miles long. Each fall, when those orange wings flutter through Georgia skies or across Oklahoma prairies, we are reminded that the Monarchs’ story is also our story, a story of resilience and connection.  By Caring for Creation, we are Partnering with our Creator!

Thinking About Going Native for Pollinators in Your Yard? Caring for Creation by Mary Christopher Do you know about the many benefits of growing native plants in your yard or garden? I know so many people who dream of a front yard that’s alive with color, texture, and movement, rather than a monotonous lawn that needs constant mowing and trimming. The good news is, it’s possible to create a space that’s beautiful, low-maintenance, and buzzing with life. All it takes is shifting from conventional turf grass to a vibrant, colorful native landscape. Why Native Plants Are Worth It ... Native plants are those that have evolved over thousands of years in a specific region, adapting to the local climate, soils, and wildlife. Because of this long history, they offer powerful benefits for both the land and the creatures who live on it. 1. Wildlife Support and Biodiversity Native plants are the backbone of healthy ecosystems. They provide nectar, pollen, seeds, and shelter for pollinators, birds, and beneficial insects that evolved alongside them. Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa) offers nectar for bees and supports monarch caterpillars. Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) provides cover for ground-nesting birds. Native asters, goldenrods, and coneflowers keep pollinators fed well into fall. These plants don’t just “decorate” a yard—they help it function as a life-support system. 2. Low Maintenance and Water Efficiency Once established, native plants need far less watering, fertilizer, and pest control than non-native ornamentals. They’re naturally adapted to the rainfall, temperature swings, and soil conditions of your region. That means more weekends enjoying your garden and fewer afternoons pushing a mower or dragging a hose. 3. Seasonal Beauty and Climate Resilience Because different native species bloom throughout the seasons, your garden can provide year-round beauty. Early spring wildflowers feed emerging pollinators, summer blooms keep butterflies fluttering, and fall seed heads feed migrating birds. These plants also tend to handle weather extremes—heat waves, sudden cold snaps, and heavy rains—better than most exotics. Native Plants by Climate and Soil One of the best things about native plants is that there’s a match for almost every soil type and climate zone. Sandy soils – Many prairie and coastal species thrive here, like coreopsis and seaside goldenrod. Clay soils – Tough natives like black-eyed Susan, switchgrass, and blazing star handle heavy, slow-draining ground. Dry climates – Desert species such as penstemon, desert marigold, and milkweed flourish with minimal water. Humid regions – Swamp milkweed, ironweed, and native hibiscus thrive in wetter, richer soils. Top Picks for the Southeast (Attracts Butterflies and Beneficial Insects) Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa) – Bright orange blooms for monarchs and bees. Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) – Long bloom time, attracts butterflies and seed-eating birds. Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) – Monarch host plant that thrives in damp soil. Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) – Blooms summer into fall, draws native bees. Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium purpureum) – Tall, pollinator magnet with soft purple flower heads. Top Picks for the Southwest (Attracts Butterflies and Beneficial Insects) Desert Marigold (Baileya multiradiata) – Sunny blooms loved by native bees. Penstemon (Penstemon spp.) – Tubular flowers perfect for hummingbirds and butterflies. Gregg’s Mistflower (Conoclinium greggii) – Attracts clouds of queen butterflies. Desert Milkweed (Asclepias subulata) – Crucial for monarchs in arid regions. Apache Plume (Fallugia paradoxa) – White flowers followed by feathery seed heads, supports pollinators and birds. Where to Learn and Get Started Getting started with native plants is easier when you connect with local experts and resources. Native Plant Societies – Most states have active chapters, offering plant lists, garden tours, and seed swaps. Examples: Georgia Native Plant Society – gnps.org Native Plant Society of New Mexico – npsnm.org Arizona Native Plant Society – aznps.com Native Plant Nurseries – Look for nurseries that specialize in locally grown natives rather than “wild-collected” plants. Many offer seasonal sales. Master Gardener Programs – Offered through Cooperative Extension offices, these programs provide training and volunteer opportunities for gardeners who want to learn and share sustainable landscaping practices. By planting natives, you’re not just adding beauty to your yard—you’re restoring a piece of the natural world. Every milkweed, coneflower, or native grass you plant offers a lifeline to wildlife and reduces your environmental footprint. Going native isn’t just a gardening choice; it’s a small but powerful act of caring for creation. Mary teaches mindfulness and spiritual practices  and offers individual coaching. Through her “Caring for Creation” podcast, she shares practices for connecting with the earth and our spirituality.

With all this “political noise and chaos” we are not hearing much about “Taking Care of Our Planet!”.  I know for many people having anything to do with the environment or ecology just does not seem relevant right now.  I have noticed this with some older people who grew up in the 50s, 60s, or 70s.  I also know there are numerous well-informed “older folks” gardening and taking good care of the land.  And, many of them are being very vocal in support of Caring for Creation.  So, I am writing to my friends and neighbors who are still using pesticides and herbicides, and do not seem much interested in the decline of birds or bees, or other small creatures.   We are all aware that the current political turmoil is demanding our attention.  We have not seen this level of chaos in our nation or government probably since before the Civil War. (We know it was not a very “civil war" if there is such a thing.)  We are also aware that this current turmoil may be very distracting for some time!  So, I decided that in the midst of all this upheaval, I would continue my efforts to protect and preserve as much of Nature as I could,   For me, that meant “digging in” literally!  I have been learning as much as I can about the land and all Creatures Great and Small where I live.  We are not using pesticides or herbicides at home.  We planted milkweed and nectar plants for Monarchs and other amazing Butterflies.  We are careful with the amount of water we use, and we do recycle.  I have also been learning as much as I can about providing safe habitat for birds, bees, bunnies, and all creatures great and small.  I also use my articles and podcasts to inform others about being better Caretakers of our Earth Home.  Hopefully, I am contributing to a better future for my children, my grandchildren, and all those amazing people who will show up on Earth long after I am gone.   When I was growing up in SW Oklahoma, my family owned a farm supply store and a grain elevator.  I grew up with feed and seed, farming and gardening tools, real live bunnies and baby chicks at Easter, and a variety of plants in the spring.  The store carried DDT, a very toxic pesticide which was still legal at the time.  My dad did not like having it in the store or even using it because it was so toxic.  DDT was banned by the EPA at the end of 1972, but is still produced in the US and sold to other countries that continue to use it on their food crops!   Several years ago, I was working at a retreat center in Florida.  I usually shopped at the local Farmers’ Market on Saturdays and happened to find a beekeeper with excellent local honey.  We talked for almost an hour about the decrease in Bees, and about the problem of pesticides in general.  He told me that several countries, including China, have very few Pollinators and are challenged to find ways to pollinate their crops, especially fruits and vegetables.   He said that in the 1990s, the situation was so desperate in China that beekeepers in Florida gathered hundreds of hives with Bees and had them airlifted to China.  The Bees were distributed to farmers, hoping to re-establish Bee colonies there.  Within a few weeks, all these thousands of Bees had died!  The ground and the environment were so saturated with insecticides that the transplanted Bees could not survive.  What a letdown and what a tragedy!  No one involved had thought the Bees could not survive there!  And, such a good lesson for all of us about continuing to use pesticides and herbicides.   As you may know, I am living in Tulsa now.  And, Tulsa has several excellent programs such as Master Gardeners, Yard by Yard, and Church by Church.  Master Gardeners is an Oklahoma State University extension program.  The other 2 programs are part of the Oklahoma Conservation District plan to create yards and church lawns into pollinator-friendly environments.  Oklahoma also has a strong and expanding  Native Plant Network providing native plants for yards, churches, and businesses!  These native plant nurseries are owned by the next generation of growers and are definitely a sign of hope.  Every state that I know of has a Native Plant Society as well as local Native Plant Nurseries.  They can usually be found on Facebook or by searching the internet.  Georgia has a very active Native Plant Society, a variety of excellent Farmers Markets, as well as small organic fruit and vegetable farms all over the state.   I am so impressed by the dedicated owners and growers of native plant nurseries.  So, this fall, wherever you are, find one of these nurseries, buy some plants that have been raised with great care, and start returning native plants to your yard!  All of us will be healthier!  And, we will see more Beautiful Butterflies, Bees, and other Amazing Pollinators every year!  Maybe we will all feel a bit more hopeful about the Future!!!

A Keystone Species is one having a disproportionately large effect on its ecosystem relative to its abundance. Its removal would cause significant changes to the ecosystem, potentially leading to its collapse. Essentially, they play a crucial role in maintaining the balance and diversity of their environment.   Outsized Impact: Keystone species have a greater impact on their ecosystem than their numbers might suggest.  Ecosystem Engineers: Some keystone species, like beavers, modify their environment, creating new habitats and increasing Biodiversity! Apex Predators: Top predators, like wolves or sharks, can also be keystone species by controlling populations of their prey.  This usually limits the destructive effect of conditions like “over-grazing” in one area, or preventing the growth of important vegetation.  Pollinators: Species like bees and hummingbirds, which are essential for plant reproduction, can be keystone mutualists.   Consequences of Removal: If a keystone species is removed, the ecosystem can experience dramatic changes, including a decline in biodiversity and even collapse.  Buffalo are considered a Keystone species.  When significant numbers of Buffalo were re-introduced to the prairie in South Dakota there was a significant improvement in the health and biodiversity of the land.  Before the Buffalo were re-established, there was very little plant or animal, or insect biodiversity.  Because of the way they graze and roam on the prairie, restoration happened faster than expected.  This restoration is ongoing, with Buffalo grazing on nearly 60,000 acres across two properties.  Buffalo graze the grasses at different heights, providing nesting grounds for birds. They also roll around and pack down the soil in depressions in the ground known as wallows. These wallows fill with rainwater and offer breeding pools for amphibians and sources of drinking water for wildlife across the landscape.  The Buffalo’s split hooves also create smaller depressions that can hold water, giving it time to be absorbed into the ground.  Over time, this can raise the level of groundwater.     During the late 1880’s, Buffalo were hunted for their hides, and to remove the main food source for nomadic Native Americans.  By 1900, it was estimated that there were fewer than 1,000 bison left in North America.  In 1800, the Buffalo population in North America was estimated to have been between 30 and 60 million.  It is possible that this drastic decline of the Buffalo from the Great American Prairie contributed to the dust storms of the 1930s.  This would be an example of what can happen when a Keystone species is removed or eliminated from its environment.  It can also demonstrate the amazing result of bringing back the Keystone Species.

You may have guessed it already, depending on how much you know about Beavers!  Most of us did not grow up around Beavers.  There were no Beavers in SW Oklahoma where I grew up.  But, I was always fascinated with them and with their ability to build dams and lodges and raise families! I also admired them for their swimming ability.  It always looked to me like they were having a good time.  Probably the first live Beavers I saw were living in a Zoo! In Great Britain and the United States, Beavers were, for the most part, hunted very close to extinction for their warm, water-resistant fur, their scent glands, and in some cases, their extraordinary flat tails.  Beaver hats and coats were in high fashion for at least 300 years, from 1550 to 1850.  As they were hunted down and removed from most of civilization, the environments they inhabited began to change.  Farming and ranching took over much of their territory, destroying wetlands, lowering the water table, and erasing biodiversity! It has only been in the last 20 or so years that Beavers were found in the wilderness or brought out of zoos and reintroduced to specific areas.  Scotland began a trial period for Beavers in 2009, following 400 years when there were no Beavers in Scotland.  During this trial period, another group of Beavers were unofficially “reintroduced” in Scotland, and both groups flourished. Beavers are amazing and very efficient engineers.  In the right environment, they can build a dam across a flowing stream in a few days.  They can build a 35 foot dam in about a week.  Their lodges take longer because they are built for safety from floods, a place to escape predators, and a nursery for their children.  Their lodges are sturdy, water-resistant, and often at least 10 feet high! Beavers, as engineers, seem to have excellent instincts about where to build their dams, which trees to bring down, and how high to build them.  There were many unexpected benefits from these carefully placed dams.  The first and most obvious was that water running in streams slowed down and began to spread out.  As the water spread, it created a “wetland”, giving the water time to soak into the soil, raising the underground water level.  By slowing the flow of water through the land, it helped prevent a dry stream bed during droughts or a flood caused by unexpected rainfall. By slowing the water flow, this allowed silt deposits which enriched the soil.  These wetlands provided the perfect environment for biodiversity of plants and small creatures like frogs, lizards, dragonflies, pollinators, and butterflies.  Small fish began to appear and soon different species of birds showed up and enjoyed the feast!  In some areas of Great Britain and the United States, this “sudden” biodiversity was surprising.  Because there had been so few Beavers anywhere to be observed, ecologists and landowners had no idea what to expect.  Most people were delighted. Beavers are considered a “Keystone species” because they create habitats that support and encourage biodiversity.  And, they do it faster and more efficiently than human engineers!  During the last 8 to 12 years, Beavers have been reintroduced in many areas for the specific purpose of providing habitat for such species such as salmon in NW Washington. Next week, I’ll cover more about the wonderful benefits Beavers create when they are brought into specific areas.  When environmentalists began “reintroducing” Beavers in Great Britain and the United States, they had no idea what would happen or how quickly conditions in specific areas would improve.  More about these Amazing Engineers next week … !!!

When we look around the world or watch the news or talk to friends or family, we often hear about turmoil, disagreements, warnings of disaster,  or other distressing news.  When we hear about so much chaos and disappointment, it can deeply affect us.  We can become cynical and lose our faith in the future.  Or, in some cases, people may just give up.  This is not a good situation!    So, what can we do?  Where can we go?  Where can we look when we are faced with so much chaos and upheaval?   We can turn to friends and family, or our friendly local therapist.  Maybe we have a deep spiritual practice.   Maybe we are part of a strong faith community.  Or maybe we decide to pack up the SUV and head for the Hills!  Definitely a tempting option ... !   However, for most people heading for the hills may not be an option for any number of reasons.  Regardless of how crazy our civilization can become, there is an answer staring us in the face all the time.  The antidote for this craziness can be found in Creation, in the daily examples found in Nature.  Why is that?  For one reason Creation is very orderly.  At least it is until Human Beings start goofing around with it.  However, that is another topic altogether.   Here is one of my favorite examples.  When most of us go to bed at night,  do we ever worry about whether the Sun will come up in the morning?  Do we doubt that the New Moon or the Full Moon might not appear on schedule?  Are we concerned that our Earth will stop rotating in the middle of the night?  I don’t doubt Sunrise, or the arrival of the New Moon or Full Moon.  And, I do not fall asleep worrying about the Earth’s rotation which is actually the reason that we have Sunrise!  I am not surprised to see Sunlight streaming through my bedroom window early in the morning.  I am grateful and delighted, but not surprised!   Why are we able to find peace or even just a sense of belonging by paying attention to Nature?  One main reason is that Human Beings have lived in a deep relationship with Nature for at least 200,000 thousand years!  Our well-being and our survival for all but the last 130 or 140 years of that time depended on our ability to understand and work with Nature.  Usually, the best farmers, gardeners, dairy people, fishermen, cooks, builders, and medicine people were successful because they paid close attention to Nature!  They were also successful because they learned to work with the patterns they found in Nature.   When we make the time to study recurring patterns in Nature, we find these often complex patterns are the result of simple mathematical formulas!  This suggests an “Underlying Unity in Creation”!  The effect for Humans of spending time in Nature is that we are reminded of this Underlying Unity.  This often subliminal reminder can be calming and restorative.  Scientific studies done with people who were “forest bathing” have established there is a positive result. Some of these studies showed that the longer Humans spent forest bathing, the longer the beneficial effects last!  (No drugs involved!)   One of the most recurring patterns is the hexagon, or 6 six-sided shape.  This shape is found in the honeycomb in a beehive.  Hexagons are also found in the shape of the core in a snowflake.  Insect eyes are made up of tiny hexagon shapes, giving them the greatest light-sensing area.  Many different flowers have 6 petals that form overlapping triangles with 6 sides.  The Prayer or Rain Lily is a good example.  Nature uses simple formulas to create elegant and useful solutions.  Honeycomb is an excellent example because the hexagon maximizes space and strength.  When we pay attention to Nature, immerse ourselves in a forest, or spend time at the beach, we are reminded of this consistent underlying Unity!  And, it permeates our entire consciousness, often causing peace of mind and happiness!   Mary teaches mindfulness and spiritual practices. She leads Heart Coherence groups and offers individual coaching. Through her “Caring for Creation” podcast, she shares practices for connecting with the earth and our spirituality.

Whenever we pay attention to or take care of the World of Nature surrounding us, then we are caring for Creation.  When we take care of the birds and the bees and the grasses and the trees and the water and the soil and every bit of Nature all around us, that is practical spirituality. Human beings live on this lovely gem of a planet because of photosynthesis, and rainfall, and chlorophyll, and red blood cells, and ants that till the soil beneath the ground, and birds that distribute seeds, and all the other amazing activities taking place every day all around us!  All these activities supporting our lives on this planet happen without any help or instruction from us.  There is some kind of spiritual activity that is very orderly and beautiful and filled with wonder sustaining us. If I go through the day, and I get to the end of that day feeling grumpy,  then I go outside and sit in the Sunshine, assuming it's not too hot.  I listen to the birds.  I listen to the sound of the leaves moving in the trees.  I watch the grasses bend and the clouds moving, because of this invisible energy that we call wind.    Several years ago I was living in Texas, outside of Austin.  It was a very warm summer.  So, one afternoon I took a walk in an area behind the houses where there were trees.  There was a lovely breeze and some older evergreens.  I remember it was very warm.  And, I remember walking underneath the branches of an old evergreen tree.  The first thing I noticed was it was cooler and there was a little bit of moisture.  It was not as dry under that evergreen tree, as it was out where there were no trees.  So, I sat down under that tree, leaned up against the trunk, and had a lovely meditation.  It was cool!  There was a breeze!  After I sat there for a while,  I began to hear the birds singing in the surrounding trees.  Then after a while, I could hear little bugs crawling around in the dry leaves and grasses right next to me.  I was sitting where it was cool and moist and very, very still.  I remember feeling my whole body begin to relax.  I could feel my shoulders dropping down.  Then I noticed that my heartbeat was slowing and I was breathing more deeply!  I noticed that I wasn't as irritated with the heat, even deep in the Heart of Texas! All Creatures Great and Small, all of us living on this planet,  are completely dependent on photosynthesis, on water, on wind, on the trees with leaves with chlorophyll that create fresh oxygen from carbon dioxide.  Without those trees, and those leaves, and those little chlorophyll molecules, we would not be here.  Somewhere deep down in our consciousness,  we know this.  We understand that we are part of Creation!  And, we understand that Creation is showing us so much about the Creator!  Deep in our Hearts, we know this!  We may have forgotten.  We may be so busy that we don't notice.  But, when we slow down.  When we take a walk in the woods, see a beautiful sunset, stand beside a waterfall, or watch the Full Moon rising in the east right on schedule, we often stand in awe.  And that is the beginning of understanding.  It is the beginning of Spiritual Awakening.  Or,  maybe we could say it's the beginning of remembering Who We Are.  These experiences also help us remember to have gratitude for our lives, for the beauty that surrounds us, for the blessings of delicious fruits and vegetables and the herbs for seasoning and healing and comforting. We are so blessed and when we remember how blessed we are then, we begin to understand how important it is to Care for Creation! 

One of the challenges we face in our “modern world” is our loss of connection to Creation.  We live in houses shaped like boxes with running water and air conditioning systems that we can set to any temperature we prefer.  We have running water for washing, bathing, and cleaning.  We no longer have to dash to the outhouse or look under the bed for the chamber pot.  And, thank goodness for all those blessings !!! However, one dubious result is that we have lost our sense of connection to Creation, our direct contact with Nature.  We use our cell phone, or our laptop to track the weather, rather than stepping outside to “feel” the wind and the humidity, as well as checking the clouds.  That is how I learned to “check the weather” when I was growing up.  Checking the weather was and still is a daily activity for farmers and ranchers.  I still like to “check the weather” this way even if I have already looked at my weather app.   Humans have spent centuries honing our ability to read all the weather signs.  Our ancestors survived because they could sense the weather and they knew which plants and fruits were safe to eat.  They knew how to work with the land to grow crops and preserve nutrients in the soil.  They learned how to live in harmony with Nature or they would not have been around to produce another generation.  Those of us on Planet Earth right now are here because our Ancestors paid attention to Creation every day! This lovely spiritual practice shows up in their prayers and spiritual practices.  They had prayers for everything, from re-kindling the fire every morning, including blessing their food, for travelers and traveling, blessing the crops as well as their cattle.  All of Creation was included because Creation reflected the presence of the Creator, as well as saints and angels.  The Celtics were very good at being aware of our Creator! Here is a good example of a Celtic blessing often used when kindling the hearth fire every morning.   This morning, as I kindle the fire of my hearth, I pray the flame of God's love may burn in my heart and in the hearts of all I meet today.   I pray that no envy or malice, no hatred or fear, may smother the flame.  I pray that indifference and apathy,  contempt and pride,  may not pour like cold water on the fire.   Instead, may the spark of God's love light the love in my heart,  that it may burn brightly through the day.   And may I warm those who are lonely, whose hearts are cold and lifeless,  so that all may know the comfort of God's love.   God and God’s blessing and love are woven into every line of this prayer.  It is a prayer and a blessing to cover all sorts of contingencies for that whole day!   This is one of the shorter prayers for milking.   Bless, O God, my little cow, Bless, O God, my desire; Bless Thou my partnership And the milking of my hands, O God. Bless, O God, each teat, Bless, O God, each finger; Bless Thou each drop That goes into my pitcher, O God! And, here is my favorite early morning prayer that always gives me a sense of being deeply immersed in Creation and connected to GOD!         Celtic Morning Prayer ~   I arise today,   through the Strength of Heaven:   Light of Sun,   Radiance of Moon,   Splendour of Fire,   Speed of Lightening,   Swiftness of Wind,   Depth of Sea,   Stability of Earth,   Firmness of Rock.   We are so blessed by the beauty and bounty of Creation which is an expression of our Creator, but we often go zipping through the day being unaware of all these Blessings. So, the next time you are feeling anxious, or uncertain, or wondering where God has gone, just step outside and look around.  Even better, take a walk in the woods, inhale some fresh air, and soak up the Creator’s Blessings that surround us all the time.  God hasn’t “gone” anywhere.  We just forgot where to look … Mary teaches mindfulness and spiritual practices. She leads Heart Coherence groups and offers individual coaching. Through her “Caring for Creation” podcast, she shares practices for connecting with the earth and our spirituality.

What Is So Important about Monarch Waystations? Each fall, hundreds of millions of monarch butterflies migrate from the United States and Canada to mountains in central Mexico where they wait out the winter until conditions favor a return flight in the spring. The monarch migration is truly one of the world's greatest natural wonders yet it is threatened by habitat loss at overwintering grounds in Mexico and throughout breeding areas in the United States and Canada. Monarch Waystations are places that provide resources necessary for Monarchs to produce successive generations and sustain their migration. Without milkweeds throughout their spring and summer breeding areas in North America, Monarchs would not be able to produce the successive generations that culminate in the migration each fall. Similarly, without nectar from flowers these fall migratory monarch butterflies would be unable to make their long journey to overwintering grounds in Mexico. The need for host plants for larvae and energy sources for adults applies to all monarch and butterfly populations around the world. Why We Are Concerned … Milkweeds and nectar sources are declining due to development and the widespread use of herbicides in croplands, pastures, and roadsides. Because 90% of all milkweed/monarch habitats occur within the agricultural landscape, farm practices have the potential to strongly influence monarch populations. Development (of subdivisions, factories, shopping centers, etc.) in the U.S. is consuming habitats for monarchs and other wildlife at a rate of 6,000 acres (9.4 square miles) a day - that's 2.2 million acres each year. This is roughly equivalent to losing an area of habitat the size of the state of Illinois (the 24th largest U.S. state) every sixteen years! Widespread adoption of herbicide-resistant corn and soybeans has resulted in the loss of more than 100 million acres of monarch habitat in recent years. The planting of these crops genetically modified to resist the non-selective systemic herbicide glyphosate (Roundup) allows growers to spray fields with this herbicide instead of tilling to control weeds. Milkweeds survive tilling but not the repeated use of glyphosate. This habitat loss is substantial since these croplands represent a significant portion of the summer breeding area for monarchs. The use of herbicides and frequent mowing along roadsides has converted much of this habitat to grassy areas that lack shelter and food for wildlife. Although some states have started to increase the diversity of plantings (including milkweeds) along roadsides, these programs are small. Unfortunately, the remaining milkweed habitats in pastures, hayfields, edges of forests, grasslands, native prairies, and urban areas are not sufficient to sustain the large monarch butterfly populations seen in the 1990s. We can help Monarchs as well as other Butterflies and Pollinators! To offset the loss of milkweeds and nectar sources we need to create, conserve, and protect monarch butterfly habitats. You can help by creating "Monarch Waystations" (monarch habitats) in home gardens, at schools, businesses, parks, zoos, nature centers, along roadsides, and on other unused plots of land. Creating a Monarch Waystation can be as simple as adding milkweeds and nectar sources to existing gardens or maintaining natural habitats with milkweeds. No effort is too small to have a positive impact. Be sure to register your habitat(s) and encourage your friends and neighbors to follow in your footsteps!  When you have several Monarch Waystations in your neighborhood, you can have a neighborhood “Welcoming Party” in the Fall for returning Monarchs! Having a Monarch Waystation is a Wonderful Opportunity to support the Monarch Migration as well as protecting other Pollinators!  Everyone comes out ahead when we work together and Care for Creation!

Caring for Creation anytime is Caring for Ourselves and for those who will come after us.  Human lifetimes are not very long in terms of the life span of Earth.  We are totally dependent on this lovely little planet for our health and well-being. Without Fresh Air and Clean Water we would not last very long as a species.  Plus we need good soil to grow our food.  Most of the time we don’t pay any attention or feel any gratitude for the daily activity in Nature that supports and sustains us. Fortunately, Creation doesn’t need us to tell it what to do.  Because Creation or Mother Nature is Conscious, Nature “knows” what to do every day, all day. We usually walk through the day, generally unaware of these Blessings. At the same time, we are here because our Ancestors were aware of their need for Fresh Air, Clean Water, and Food.  I know my pioneer Grandparents were very focused on all those basic needs for themselves and their livestock when they settled in SW Oklahoma in the early 1900s. My grandmother kept a vegetable garden for as long as I knew her! Today, I found a lovely Eastern White Pine in the park.  It is an older tree and very comfortable to sit with.  One of its limbs was so close to the ground that I could sit on it, lean back on the trunk and relax. I was able to meditate for at least 30 minutes!  Have not been able to meditate actually Sitting In a Tree for a long time!  That was delightful! We had rain today so all the milkweed and nectar plants we have planted are doing well!  The air was so fresh I took several deep breaths.  That felt so good.  The longer I stayed with this lovely tree, the more relaxed I felt.  My shoulders came down.  My heart rate slowed as well as my breathing.  I could feel myself relaxing. Also, remember that Human Beings are designed to move.  That’s the reason we have so many joints.  The adult human body has around 360 joints. This number varies depending on how you define a joint.  Some sources suggest a range of 250 to 350. We do need to move in order to be healthy and alert.  When we move, we increase our Oxygen consumption and release more Carbon Dioxide. As you know, when we exhale Carbon Dioxide, it is absorbed through the leaves and broken down through Photosynthesis into Carbon and Oxygen. Trees use Carbon to make sugars and release Oxygen back into the atmosphere.  The chemical reaction we call Photosynthesis is triggered by Sunlight!  Very exciting !!! We know that Creation works, especially when humans don’t disrupt the natural cycles and relationships! The Sun comes up on time, every morning without any assistance from humans.  If you plant a radish seed, you get a radish plant, and sooner or later, you get more radishes!  Trees don’t fight with each other.  In most natural woodlands, trees work together.  Through their root system, using Fungi, trees communicate with each other.  They share resources and respond to threats.  In my experience, they also respond to affection and appreciation.  There are so many good reasons to spend time in Creation. Having more “stuff” does not bring happiness, but when we spend time in Nature or outside in Creation, our Hearts can rest and relax.  We can begin to unwind and find peace with ourselves just by “hanging out” in Creation.  If we are at peace with ourselves and our Hearts can rest, we can be happy. As we move through this very challenging year together, we are going to face all kinds of situations.  And, some of these situations will call for discernment on our part.  We will need to dig a little deeper within ourselves for courage and compassion.  And, we will need to upgrade our ability to listen carefully and discern what is going on beneath all the noise and chaos.   I am so grateful to be in Creation right now.  So grateful to have these amazing moments of peace and happiness. Have a wonderful week.  Thank You for all you are doing every day in so many ways to make this World a better place for Everyone!  And, take really good care of yourself.   Mary teaches mindfulness and spiritual practices. She leads Heart Coherence groups and offers individual coaching. Through her “Caring for Creation” podcast, she shares practices for connecting with the earth and our spirituality.

During Mother’s Day and into the next day, I kept thinking about all of us living together on this planet we call home.  Here we are, sharing this 3rd planet from the Sun, trying to get along and having difficulties doing that.  In the midst of all our difficulties, we often forget that our continued survival depends on how well we care for this lovely jewel of a planet. In order for us to survive, we need fresh air, clean water, as well as good food.  We tend to take fresh air and even clean water for granted.  Most of us are not growing any of our own food, so we assume that farmers and gardeners will always be able to supply what we need. As I was thinking about all the challenges we are facing right now, I was also having a lovely Mother’s Day.  I was texting, checking in with family, and having lunch with friends.  Then I spent more than an hour sitting in the shade, in a large meadow with hundreds of tiny spring flowers.  At least half of these flowers were native to NE Oklahoma.  The birds were singing.  There was a gentle breeze, so for a while I could rest in Creation and recharge.  It was a lovely day! Being in Nature, even for a short time can be very restorative, partly because of the fresh air and the amazing colors as well as the Butterflies and all the Beneficial Bugs and Pollinators.  There were small white and yellow Butterflies, a few Wasps, one or two LadyBugs.  Recently, I have been paying more attention to “bugs” because so many of them are very beneficial. For instance, Ants, found all around the world, are essential because they “till the soil” underground.  Ants are essential for many reasons, but our usual response is to poison them!  However, we need Ants for many reasons in addition to “underground tilling”! We are having negative effects on Creation in many ways with our current form of “civilization” and “scientific progress”!  Fortunately, there is great research going on as well as excellent programs on YouTube, Gaia, and of course, PBS!  The information we need for a “course correction” is available.  This is an excellent reason to transform your lawn into a Pollinator Garden or a Monarch Waystation !!!  Creation needs all the help and support that we can give. Everything we do now to support and Care for Creation, will help secure a healthy future of Fresh Air, Clean Water, and Healthy Food for all our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren!  There are so many ways to protect and support Creation and All Creatures Great and Small.  Building a Pollinator Garden in one corner of your yard is easy to do.  Mowing your grass with the mower blades set at 3 or 4 inches up will make a big difference.  And, of course, stop using pesticides so the natural relationships will be re-established.  Remember, Beneficial Insects are also very determined predators and will reduce the number of aphids and mosquitoes naturally, no problem! We can easily do so much to create a better future for our families and the health of the Earth.  So, while politics and politicians are raging, and people are busy trying to figure out “What Is Going On … ???”, shift your attention to Creation.  Take a break from “civilization”, tune into Nature, and take a deep breath of Fresh Air.  Plant a few native plants and rest in the shade of a wise and wonderful Tree.    Mary teaches mindfulness and spiritual practices. She leads Heart Coherence groups and offers individual coaching. Through her “Caring for Creation” podcast, she shares practices for connecting with the earth and our spirituality.