Slightly Light

The sun doesn't rise until 7:06 a.m. here in the North country, but when i sit down to meditate at 6 a.m., the sky is slightly lighter than dark. We've gained 15 minutes of daylight in the morning, and so, about an hour before daybreak, light starts leaking into the sky. It's a sight for sore eyes. I can feel my heart dancing in the pre-light of the coming day.

My little groundhog self burrows out of a warm bed, pulls on fleece pants and wool shirts, and goes downstairs to meditate in the dark-light, in the lightening of the dark.

Groundhog Day is coming.

https://pixabay.com/photos/winter-dawn-tree-fog-nature-cold-3321361/

Earthworms Hiding

I planted onion seedlings yesterday. The earthworms i saw were small and sluggish, hiding from the newly hoed furrow. So i covered them and the onion seedlings up quickly.

Sometimes we want to go back into hiding, stay in bed, avoid our meditation practice while we hole up with our smart phone.

We know what's good for us.
You know what's good for you.

Lethargy and sleepiness are a hindrance--to your meditation and to your life.

Live according to your heart, according to your highest intention.  Wake up to this present moment.

Putting the Garden to Bed

Every person i meet asks, "Have you put your garden to bed?"

I really don't want to say "yes." It's sort of feels like saying, "Yes, my friend the garden finally died this week." I want to eke out another day or two or maybe a week. But gardening chores are few and far between.

This week, when the snow tires are put on the car, is yet another indicator: Gardening season is over. Gone. Done.

Farewell, dear garden.

Photo from daveaculture.blogspot.com

Barred Owls Talking

The barred owls are teaching their babies to talk, right outside my bedroom window. The lesson begins shortly after i go to bed.

The parents carefully enunciate, "Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you all?"
And the babies think this is the most hilarious thing they've ever heard. "Hoo. Hoo. Ha. Ha" in a rising pitch that sounds like it belongs in an African jungle.

The barred owls--old and wise--call to me as i drift toward darkness.