Yes, I am a wimp

Posted on by
Reply
magical

Magical

I love being outdoors and communing with nature. However, if the temperature dips under 20° F, I am not going out. Yes, I am a wimp. I have always known this, but living in western New York, it has become ever so apparent. I keep running into hardy women who are 15 to 20 years my senior, who look at me strangely, when I tell them that I don’t hike on days colder than 20° F. They simply say – “Just put on another layer dear.” Well folks, no matter how many layers are on this body, it’s too damn cold. On days I walk to yoga from my car, just a couple of blocks, my lungs hurt from the cold air, even though I have a scarf covering my mouth and nose in an attempt to warm the air.

This winter has been brutal, but I did find some days to go out and hike. Recently, I visited some of my favorite spots. The ice was treacherous, making most paths impassable, but magical nonetheless.

The Universe is calling me outside when I wake up to winter blue skies and it's warmer than 20° F.

The Universe is calling me outside when I wake up to winter blue skies and it’s warmer than 20° F.

 

You would never know that there was a path on the other side of the bridge. The ice was so thick it would have been easier to skate on it, than to walk on it.

You would never guess that there was a path on the other side of the bridge. The ice was so thick it would have been easier to skate on it, than to walk on it.

Looking down into a frozen gorge and waterfall.

Looking down into a frozen gorge and waterfall.

frozen moss

Another frozen path

Another frozen path

Frozen stairs

Frozen stairs

clear isicle

Click on photos to enlarge.

Ladybugs the harbinger of luck

Posted on by
Reply

2 ladybugsAlmost everywhere I have ever lived in my adult life, Ladybugs (also know as Ladybird Beetles) have lived in my home. I never really thought about it until recently; but it just occurred to me that not everyone cohabitates with Ladybugs. Even when we moved from New York to California, Ladybugs showed up in our new home. You might think that they traveled in our plants, but our plants did not survive the trip. When we moved back to New York, there they were again. They have become main fixtures in my life.

As a toddler, Mathew used to play with them and bring them to me when they started to emit an odor and say, “Mommy this one smells bad.” I would explain that they smelled bad when they weren’t happy and suggested he leave them alone in hopes he would understand his playing disturbed the Ladybugs; it never really seeped in. Ladybugs have a great defense mechanism, similar to skunks. If they are startled or tormented, a foul-smelling fluid will seep from its leg joints, leaving yellow stains. Potential predators are hopefully deterred by the smelly mix of alkaloids, and equally perhaps repulsed by the sight of a seemingly sickly beetle. Ladybug larvae can ooze alkaloids from their abdomens, as well.

ladybug woodSome people believe that if a critter shows up in your life, they have a message for you. I decided to look up what type of message the Ladybug may have for me.

If Ladybug has flown into your life:

“The appearance of a Ladybug heralds a time of luck in which our wishes begin to be fulfilled.  Higher goals and new heights are now possible. Worries begin to dissipate. New happiness comes about. Ladybug also cautions not to try too hard or go too fast to fulfill our dreams. Let things flow at their natural pace. In the due course of time, our wishes will all come true.

Alternatively, they could be signaling that you can leave your worries behind and that new happiness is on its way. Ladybug signals you not to be scared to live your own truth. Protect your truth and know that it is yours to honor.”

Sounds good to me, they can come and live with me all they want.ladybug fork