06/30/2025
6.30.25 “Sometimes I need only to stand wherever I am to be blessed.” ~ Mary Oliver
I was reminded of this line while standing in the field at Golden Hour Herb Farm yesterday during a beautiful half-day retreat that was designed to encourage connections to plant wisdom. It felt good to slow down, pay attention, listen to the wind in the cottonwood leaves, watch the monarchs enjoy the thriving milkweed, smell the clary sage in the hot summer sun, admire the blooming poppies, bathe in the sounds of singing bowls, and feast on the most amazing garlic scape pesto!
My work is centered around encouraging others to spend time outdoors. Yet it had been too long since I spent an afternoon just breathing and listening to the natural world. I left feeling grounded and grateful for the healing power of time spent outdoors and reminded that nature speaks to us if we listen.
The last image is of the beautiful print I have in my office. It is “Still” by the amazing artist Nikki McClure - https://www.nikkimcclure.com/ and you can purchase it through Buy Olympia - https://buyolympia.com/
“It was Early” by Mary Oliver
It was early,
which has always been my hour
to begin looking
at the world
and of course,
even in the darkness,
to begin
listening into it,
especially
under the pines
where the owl lives
and sometimes calls out
as I walk by,
as he did
on this morning.
So many gifts!
What do they mean?
In the marshes
where the pink light
was just arriving
the mink
with his bristle tail
was stalking
the soft-eared mice,
and in the pines
the cones were heavy,
each one
ordained to open.
Sometimes I need
only to stand
wherever I am
to be blessed.
Little mink, let me watch you.
Little mice, run and run.
Dear pine cone, let me hold you
as you open.
