I love this image of Crestalban Farm’s old blacksmith shed. Prompted by Rilke’s letter, in which he advised the young writer to look deeper, under the surface of Nature, I discovered what this image touched in me about my own life. My first observation was that it embodied an essential truth - that it is … Continue reading Another Rilke Exploration
Author: Septuagenarian
LETTERS TO A YOUNG POET
My morning contemplative reading began today with the first letter Rainer Maria Rilke wrote to a would-be poet. In it, he encourages his writer to: “Draw close to nature – portray your sorrows and daydreams, passing thoughts and beliefs stirred by a glimpse of beauty. Describe it all with a quiet, humble honesty, using the … Continue reading LETTERS TO A YOUNG POET
LOST
The exploration of my interior world has been a long one. In the beginning, my ‘goal’ was to understand why I kept repeating patterns in relationships. The experiences of the past forty years have presented me with many teachers. I have come, finally, to understand that the path I have chosen has no end point … Continue reading LOST
noticing
As my spirits begin to lift and the clouds have somewhat cleared, I realize, once again, how precious time is. I can either choose to be weighed down in greyness or remember to notice a special moment each day. So, I grabbed my camera to document a special moment. In just one day, I had … Continue reading noticing
a walk in the woods
This story may be T.M.I. (too much information) but I have revealed so much of my inner world, what’s one more? Perhaps, one or two of you may relate. I have been on a relatively high dose of an SSRI, antidepressant for 25 years. Three years ago, I began to slowly reduce the dosage. This … Continue reading a walk in the woods
darkness
Sometimes a poet just says it better. Thank you, David Whyte. Sweet Darkness When your eyes are tired the world is tired also. When your vision is gone no part of the world can find you. Time to go into the dark where the night has eyes to recognize its own. There you can be … Continue reading darkness
why write?
Why do I continue to put myself out with this weblog? At first, it was a vehicle for sharing my photographs. As a kid, when I got a book, I always looked at the pictures first. So, I thought “Stories & Pictures,” what’s not to like? In the beginning, it was enough for me. However, … Continue reading why write?
stewardship
A Steward is a person responsible for the careful use of a precious natural resource. My Whiting cousins definitely fit the definition. One of their pastures planted with Timothy grass for hay. Another field is planted in Oats. Stone walls have been built to protect an ancient apple orchard. ....and they use a brush hog … Continue reading stewardship
my house
This has been the most difficult story to wrap my brain around. I wanted to write about the house I grew up in, yet it was really the land that raised me. In nature, I felt a part of everything. Back then, I didn’t know the concept that we are all connected, but it was … Continue reading my house
HOME
Cast in amber, a lonely, scrawny kid returned to the Berkshires for what she hoped would be a healing journey and a way to say a final farewell. What greeted her instead was more acceptance and love than she ever expected. My family of cousins welcomed me with big smiles and opened arms. My heart … Continue reading HOME
Stories & Pictures 