March for Science: Seattle

On this cold and rainy day, I was among the thousands of Seattleites who participated in the March for Science. I appreciated being able to support science and scientists and to share my own concern for what is happening in our country. I also loved the feeling of community that goes along with this type of experience.

One of my favorite parts of the march was seeing all of the signs. Since we were in Cal Anderson Park for almost two hours before we started walking, I had plenty of time to take pictures of them! (Click on the galleries to enlarge the photos.)

I enjoyed watching this child try to pick up a sign. The wind and the fact that the sign was bigger than she was made it an impossible task, but that didn’t stop her from trying. She was such a role model for being persistent, patient, and committed to her goal. She never expressed any frustration, she just kept going for what she wanted.

Some of the other sights:

I am so glad that I participated and hope that my photos might have given you a sense of being there yourself.

The View From My Upper Deck

I am truly blessed.

The Magnificence and Wonder of Nature

When I attended Amma’s programs at MA Center Chicago last summer, I walked to their big echinacea field. I found the flowers fascinating. I loved how unusual they looked at each stage of development and was particularly intrigued by the spikes in the center of the flower.

Soon after returning to Seattle, I decided to purchase some echinacea plants for my own garden… and a microscope. When I looked at the flower under the microscope, I gasped; my eyes beheld the magnificence and wonder of nature. (Click on the galleries to enlarge the photos.)

Daily Post: Spike

Weekly Photo Challenge: Earth

A Treasure for Me

I laughed when I saw that today’s Daily Prompt is Chuckles. I also thought of the old saying “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” That is exactly how I feel about dandelions this time of year.

Two days ago, I saw this strip of dandelions near my home. It was at least 50 feet long and maybe more. Throughout the winter, I have been going to the grocery store to pick up lettuce that is going to be discarded. I feed it to the worms in my vermicomposting bins. The worms seem to be losing their enthusiasm for the lettuce, but they love the fresh dandelion greens.

The problem with the dandelions in this field is that it is part of light rail property and is completely fenced in. I have no way to access it, so I have to be satisfied with using the dandelions in my yard and the few that are on the street side of the fence.

Even though I know that it is important for me to focus on what I have, rather than what I don’t have, I have no doubt that I will still look longingly at the treasure that is beyond my grasp whenever I pass this field.

Wordless Wednesday

Astounding Beauty

I remodeled my house in 1985. The windows to the kitchen were boarded up for at least 3 months. On the day that they took the boards off the windows, this was the view. The tree is as beautiful today as it was on that 1985 morning.

Honoring Hanuman and Vishu

Yesterday, I attended a chant of the Hanuman Chalisa, a 40 verse poem that is believed to have been written by Tulsidas in the 16th century. I have loved that chant since the mid-nineties.

Wikipedia says this about Hanuman:

Lord Hanuman is an ardent devotee of Lord Sri Rama and is widely known for his unflinching devotion to Sri Rama. Hanuman is the symbol of strength and energy. He is said to be able to assume any form at will, wield the gada (including many celestial weapons), move mountains, dart through the air, seize the clouds and equally rival Garuda in swiftness of flight.

Lord Hanuman is worshiped as a deity with the ability to attain victory against evil and provide protection.

During the time in my life that I made tiny dolls of the Hindu Gods and Goddesses, one of the dolls I made was of Hanuman. The doll on the left side of the gallery below was my first Hanuman doll; I still keep it on my altar. Hanuman is usually depicted with Lord Rama or Lord Rama and Sita in his heart, but I put a photo of Amma in the heart of my Hanuman doll.

On my way to the Hanuman program yesterday, I stopped by a local nursery and bought two Oregon grape plants for my yard. They both had beautiful yellow blossoms. This morning, I realized that I had planted them in an area that has other yellow flowers and that yellow is the color that is most associated with Hanuman.

After writing the first draft of this post, I decided to work outside. I told the friend who was working with me about the yellow flowers. He reminded me that yellow is also the color of Vishu, a holiday that celebrates our deep connection with nature. Vishu was two days ago. Below is a photo of the flower most associated with Vishu, along with a message that Amma gave on that day.

I am excited that I have inadvertently dedicated a part of my yard to Hanuman and Vishu. I love synchronicity.

Daily Prompt: Climbing

In India last year, I discovered a plant that Indians call “spinach.” It climbed the walls of many of the Amritapuri gardens. We could eat it right off the vine, or put it in salads, or cook it. I loved it and decided to do my best to have it in my garden this year. I know we don’t have the heat that India has, but thought it might grow at a slower rate.

It was easier for me to identify the plant than I thought it would be. One of my friends even grew it here last year. The plant’s name is Red Malabar. It is a different species (basella rubra) than spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) but is often referred to as spinach even here. I ordered the seeds and planted them in containers in the house two weeks ago. So far none have germinated.

I re-looked at the packet and noticed a label: “Over-packed due to low germination.” This morning, I noticed that the label also says GERM 56%. With Seattle’s lack of heat plus such a low germination rate my endeavor may be doomed, but I hope not!

Daily Post: Climbing

Beauty in the Greenbelt

I’ve now had the privilege of seeing the Greenbelt property we are restoring in parts of all four seasons. These photos are a tiny glimpse of the beauty I’ve seen there.

September

October

February

March

April

Surprise

Youth Speaks: Why Are Muslims So…..

My daughter sent me a YouTube link this morning and I was profoundly moved by what I saw and heard. It felt so strange to want to clap, yet have sadness and tears be my primary reaction. This was recorded during the 8th Annual Brave New Voices International Youth Poetry Slam Festival in September of 2015.