Return of the Sun

   Winter came early here in the Northeast U.S. We rarely ever get snow here in southern new York before Christmas. When we were growing up, my brothers and i used to pray for snow so we could have a White Christmas and go sleigh riding.

   So today, December 17th, we had our first snowfall. At 6 am there was already an inch, but then it continued until it was 4 or 5 inches. Then came freezing rain, promising to make the roads even more slippery. Followed by rain. So by tonight it will be an icy mess.

   Although it felt like a dark and dreary day, cold and rainy, I knew that as of December 15th, our sunsets here would be a minute later, so that by the end of January it will be light at 5 pm after work. About a week ago sunset was at the same time each day, instead of retreating even early.

   We still have the Winter Solstice on December 21st and that will be when day and night will be of equal length.

   And last year I wrote a lot about the effects that light has on us - how all the darkness so early in the day can make us feel tired, and some people depressed.

   But then I thought about light in terms of color. What can be more beautiful than light when it hits stained glass so that the color in the glass seems to radiate. Is color itself a form of light? Is light a form of color? Doesn't light break down into the colors of the spectrum? At least what we can see with our vision.

   So, if we are craving or  missing light, maybe the use of color in our lives can help compensate for that.

   Surround yourself with your favorite colors. The reds and yellows are warm, invigorating, the blues are cool and calming.

   What started  me down this particular path was looking at the sky and clouds. I was caught by the fact that some of the clouds in the sky were pink. I wondered why pink?

  The reason for colors in the clouds and sky is because light becomes scattered. I never thought about light in these terms before. So light are color are everywhere - we just have to see it with our eyes and conscious of our surroundings.

   Every sunset and sunrise are different colors every day. No two are ever alike, which to me is amazing. Imagine how boring ti would be if everything was the same every day.

   So the blue color of the sky is a direct result of what is called "Rayleigh" scattering which redirects the higher frequency (blue) sunlight back into the field of view. Blue light is scattered more easily than red, so the Sun can take on a reddish color when seen through a thick atmosphere like sunrise or sunset.

   As for clouds, when there is a greenish hue in a cloud, it happens when sunlight is scattered by ice. A cumulonimbus cloud (a dense towering vertical cloud) that emits green is evidence of a severe thunderstorm which can produce heavy rain, hail, high winds, and possibly tornadoes. Usually when I see green clouds I know to take cover or head home. The green is usually dark and heavy. the last green clouds I encountered was indeed a coming storm, complete with large hail stones! During Hurricane Andrew in the 90's, I heard from a friend about a greenish color. That was certainly a powerful hurricane, the beginning of a long line of severe hurricanes to pass through the southern United States.

   Yellow colored clouds are usually due to pollutants in the air, caused possibly by forest fires, or nitrogen dioxide in areas of countries with high pollution from industry.

    Of course the most common colors are red, orange or pink clouds which are visible mostly at sunrise and sunset by scattering of light from the Sun.

   Ever notice how the Sun gets bright red like a fiery ball when it is about to disappear below the horizon? That is because the angle between the Sun and horizon changes. If the angle is less than 10 per cent - such as just before sunrise or sunset - red is the most predominant color due to refraction so that any colors other than red cannot be seen.

    And lastly why are clouds white? Within the clouds tiny particles of water are "densely packed." Sunlight, our beautiful life giving sunlight cannot penetrate far into the cloud before it is reflected out, and the result of the reflected light is white.

   So when you can, try to observe sky and or clouds on a regular basis. You will be amazed at the ever changing colors, shapes, thickness, texture that you will see, like an ever changing kaleidoscope. It will connect you to nature instead of the bustle of daily work life, and so you will be, even if in small, living a more natural life. And feel the better for it.

   Enjoy and watch the skies. Thank you to what keeps on making the clouds.

Maery

sources: Wikipedia

2016
Dear Friends,
It is now just about an entire year since I began this blog in 2015.
I hope you have enjoyed all the articles, stories and photographs.
We are quickly approaching the season of Winter again, so below I have reposted the Winter article with the approach to the seasons and health.
Stay healthy throughout the holidays and Winter and be safe out there.
Soon, in another week, here in the Northern Hemisphere, sunset will start to come a bit later each day, so that by January it will no longer be so dark at 5 pm. Which can only mean the days are getting longer, the Sun begins its return, and Spring, don't forget, is not too far behind.
Winter is always a time for quiet contemplation, so make the best use of this season.
I only hope there is  not too much snow!
Granted here in the U.S. we are currently experiencing a drought. I did, during the most recent holiday, take some photos of water to celebrate water. Those I hope will be posted shortly.
Enjoy life and be healthy, for life is a precious commodity.
Maery



Staying Healthy

An Approach to Winter

   In the page "More About Natural Living", I mentioned writing about how the season affect us. Some of it will be observations and experiences through my own research, but also articles and the concept of the seasons through Chinese medicine. The references to Chinese medicine will include things such as the element associated with the season, as well as body organs, climate, taste, emotion, foods to include or avoid. These references are helpful and informative, however in addition to that, at some point I would like to have additional articles on how things like light and color and emotions and stress also affect us. Diet and nutrition are also important topics. So here at least is a beginning.

Winter

   The days were growing noticeably shorter even in late Aug

Gardiner's Bay and Gardiner's Island

 ust. But August found us in our cycle called Later Summer (in Chinese medicine and lore), and blending into Autumn. Now in December we should be in winter, with the Winter Solstice about to occur, even though mild temperatures here make us wonder if it is truly winter.
   Despite the temperatures, yes darkness comes earlier, and our energy retreats towards winter patterns. The rain and cold remind us that it is leaning more towards Winter, or when a storm approaches with high winds and a sharper chill to the air, we know freezing temperatures may soon be the norm.
   According to Chinese medicine, Winter is governed by the element of Water. We become introspective in Winter, and things go more dormant for a period of rest, in order to emerge again in the Spring. The trees have shed their leaves, plants wither and die and go to see, waiting for the next cycle.
   Water is essential to life. In our body, fluids like blood flowing are important, as well as the fluids in the lymph system, which help to process and eliminate waste so you can fight infections. There is also fluids like saliva, perspiration, tears and urine. Everything is flowing, and should be flowing. Water is part of the circulation system, perhaps like the oceans for the earth.

   The body organs that dominate in the Winter cycle are the bladder and kidneys. The climate associated with Winter and Water is cold, and the compass direction for Winter is the North.
   I have read that the kidneys are nourished by cold, but extreme cold and or wetness can weaken the kidneys. I think of the few times I have been in desert areas of the world, with such a compelling dryness, and remember what a different feeling when compared to humidity. I remember being in Colorado as well, in higher altitudes, and having the skin on my hands cracking from the dry air, which I was not used to, and coming home to breathe in moist air for my lungs. In Israel it is hot during the day, and then cold at night, and also dry. The wind also takes moisture out of your body there, so you must drink a great deal of water especially if you are outdoors. It was a harsh environment it seemed, which would put stress on our bodies and systems if we are not used to it, but we can always adapt. I know recently while visiting the local mountains, the Catskill area, it was 64 degrees in November, but there was a damp and biting wind and no sun and I was indeed chilled to the bone. You can think back to your own experiences with temperatures and conditions and remember how it felt, or be more conscious of this in the future.

   The taste that is associated with Winter is salt. Interestingly most water has salt in it, as well as our blood, and also of course the oceans. If you crave salt or dislike salt you may have a Water imbalance. If you eat too much salt, it creates a craving for water and can weaken the kidneys. Salt can also cause water retention and toxins to be held, so we can become easily toxic. Salt intake is also linked to high blood pressure. There will most likely be another whole article on salt, but best not to add it to food, and if you must use salt in cooking, use something more natural like sea salt, as table salt has alot of chemicals and additives, in addition to being bleached.

   The emotion of Winter is fear, whether it be anxiety, stress or any other emotion. Trembling is actually a water imbalance and is a release of fearful energy and tension. Think of the expression "paralyzed with fear" - fear can be a very powerful emotion, and can create blockages. Fear in some ways blocks many things, because it numbs you.

   The sound of Winter is groaning. Have you ever heard trees that grown in the wind during a storm? Their branches creak and groan. For people, the sound of a groan comes from deep within.

Some Considerations

   So what can you do to fortify yourself or flow with the ways of the Winter season?

   Well first think about Water and emotions. Water can be calm, still or gentle, or stormy, and hard to contain. How do you feel when you become too emotional? We may feel drained, and we can easily become exhausted and run down. We also need to remember that our kidneys are a filter for the blood systems and also ridding the body of toxic waste and heavy metals. So we can eat well and cleanse, although Spring is technically the time for deep cleansing.

   Negativity can also be harmful, and must be eliminated from the body, believed to be processed out through the bladder. So it is important to be positive and have a good attitude, and using positive affirmations on a daily basis.

   Other suggestions that might help in the Winter season include things like massage, where it will work on the meridians associated with the kidney, for example, along the spine. Massage also helps to relieve tension and toxins. Yoga is also excellent, providing stretching, relaxation and reducing stress.

   With diet and nutrition, you would want to eat foods that provide a little more heat, eat a little heavier, but not too heavy. Everything should be in moderation. When you over eat at Thanksgiving you often feel heavy and bloated.
   Your diet for winter should include hot soups with plenty of fresh vegetables, and spices that warm like ginger, garlic and cayenne pepper. Small amounts of whole grains are good fuel in winter, like millet, buckwheat, brown rice with red or black beans or lentils. Remember do not add salt to your food, because there is already some salt in your food, and we do need some salt. Sea salt is the most natural. If you bathe in the ocean or take a mineral bath, the stored salts and toxins will be drawn out. Food will taste like real food without adding alot of salt. I gave up adding salt to my food, sometimes substituting with garlic or onion instead.

   It is also important to keep warm in the winter - sitting by the fire, or with a blanket and a hot herbal tea or soup. Eating more cooked warm foods as opposed to cold or raw in winter. 

   Before long the days will get longer and the sunshine brighter, bringing about another whole new cycle of rebirth to look forward to.

Stay warm,
Maery

(remember to always follow the advice of your health care professional when it comes to health, diet and exercise)

Shifting from Autumn
to Winter very soon....

   We have had a very unusually warm Autumn here in the Northeast United States. Today for example it was 62 degrees Farenheit, very welcome because it allowed us all to work on our leaves, that suddenly fell all at once with storms and wind and rain. Some days it is raining leaves, with all the colors swirling around and around.

Autumn Colors in the Hamptons

   We will transition into Winter very soon, but it is always a gradual process, for not even the tide comes in all at once. Generally cooler days, turning gradually colder, less sunlight, as things begin to retreat for the Winter. Even so, I believe here we have only had one real frost, and the temperatures remain above freezing, unusual for this time of year.
   One thing I noticed was that we had some warm days, followed by a brief and sudden cold snap, while the leaves were still on the trees and just starting to turn color. I made note of this, because when that happens, the leaves die on the tree, suspended in whatever state they were in at the time of the cold spell, like being freeze dried. So what I am able to see, and will cherish throughout the winter, are some trees, particularly the oaks, that will retain their leaves. Some are a darkish brown color, but others are red, as they were just starting to turn, and now remain on the branches. Only a stiff wind or storm would make them come down now.
   So at least some trees will not appear barren this winter. What a treat to the eyes and the senses and a sense of the aesthetic.
   The light of course is fading, and sunset gets earlier each day. But the good news is that somewhere within the first week of December, things will go stationary, and then sunset will begin one minute later. And although the Winter Solstice will occur later in the month, the solstice in this case is a day where light and dark are of equal value, not necessarily the earliest sunset, which some people may not understand. So soon the Sun will make its journey back towards Spring time!
   Next time it will be time to look at how the Winter season affects our bodies and health so we can prepare and be healthy and fit and happy!

No Leaves in an Autumn Sky

Until next,
Maery

Should I buy a Village in Spain?

Where does your heart and soul belong.....

   These days it is quite common for people to not only travel to distant places and foreign lands, but often relocating far from where one was born. Or sometimes people come back home, where ever that is, to be back home again.
   The possibilities are endless with travel being so easy, instead of horses and wagons in earlier days, or even stage coaches. Now we have planes and trains and automobiles. How the world has changed, but sometimes you long for a simpler life.
   Where would you live, if given anywhere on the planet? Would it be in some far exotic land? Would you live in a tent, an igloo, a yurt, a cabin, a palace, a cottage, a mansion, a trailer? Would you live in a city or the country, in a desert or on a mountain, in a valley, on a river, stream, lake or pond? Would you live on the ocean or a cliff high above the world below? In a forest? A prairie, a meadow, a field, an apartment building on Park Avenue? A penthouse?
   I know I recently wrote an article asking about why people live where they do and I still wonder about it. If you were born and grew up in a small village, when you leave do you carry the customs, the language, the ways and means of that village with you? And when and if you go back to where you born, do you bring with you what you have learned and seen and experienced elsewhere in the world?
   And again I ask the question why do we feel better in certain places than others?
   The thing that prompted me to visit this again was when I came across an article last week about buying a whole village in Northern Spain, it peaked my interest. The article said many towns were being abandoned because of hard times in the economy. The one pictured in the article had just a few houses in it. I imagined friends and family occupying many of the houses, creating a little community. Or you could make it a retreat, a spa, a healing refuge and accommodate guests.
   It was on the coast of the Bay of Biscay on the Atlantic side, not far from my brother's place in St. Jean De Luz in France. So I would already have family nearby.

St. Jean de Luz

Mon Frere St. Jean de Luz

   The only thing is I don't speak Spanish, having learned Latin and French in school. And I am not ready to retire and make a big move, but it is good to dream.
   There are many places I would still like to visit. I know that France agrees with me very well, but there are still parts to explore, like Normandy in the north, where many of my ancestors came from. There is also Denmark, especially Copenhagen, where my grandfather was born.
   I've been to Germany, but found the land somewhat hard and intense. Holland was a bit softer and more cheerful, but I regret I was too early for the tulips. And I got a good recipe for apple pie while there!
   I never made it to Dublin, but will get to Ireland someday. I have been to London many times, but don't know if I could actually live there. I stayed near where Charles Dickens lived, one of my favorite authors. In the shadows and in amongst the crowds on the sidewalks and cars and buses in the streets you could almost hear the whispers of Dickens' characters, as though they had actually lived. Were the characters real people? Or were they just caricatures of people living at the time in a great city? A place that has much history, and palaces and kings and queens, of history playing out.

Me at Merlin's Cave

   The coast of Cornwall is charming and picturesque by the sea, and yes I climbed those stairs at Tintagel and had a cream tea. I also went to Tribarwith, and sat inside a cave, pretending it was Merlin's Cave. But there are so many caves carved out the rock by the sea, and it all seems so wild and untamed. A kind of refuge in and amongst the fury of the sea and the wind.

Climbing down the Steps of Tintagel

   Wales was wild and green. The fog that rolled in at night was a bit spooky, like a gothic thriller. I remember sitting on the cliffs by the sea, while two friends sat and played their flutes to the wind.

Tintagel

   Israel was both mountain and desert, and cold especially at night. I experienced my first sand storm, and there was sand and grit everywhere. In March I was cold, even during the day. I traveled to the Dead Sea and floated on its green waters. I got to see what life would be like in these small villages. At night there would be campfires and storytelling, while in the distance other villages were being bombed. We were told it was just fireworks! 

   I have been to the Caribbean islands, with the warm turquoise waters and the island of Bermuda out in the ocean all alone. And to Saint Martin, where I sailed on a catamaran all day long, returning at night into the glorious sunset.

   I have been across the U.S. to many places, but have yet to see the Grand Canyon, the Redwood Forest, Yosemite and Yellowstone Parks. I have not seen Niagra Falls. So many places to see and explore. 

   Yet where does one feel comfortable? Where does one truly belong. I think, like me, if you can, you travel to other places, just to see and feel and compare. And ask yourself where you feel you belong. Only you have the answer!

Maery

Hurricane Matthew Strikes
Haiti and the U.S Coast

Stormy skies

   A hurricane struck the island of Haiti and then moved into the waters along the Atlantic coast of Florida, finally making landfall in South Carolina. At this very moment it is raining here, as remnants of the storm go by, but nothing like what the rest of the country faced with high winds, 12 inches of rain and storm surges.
   Sadly about 300 people died in Haiti, and from the water people are now getting cholera. I know relief in the way of help is on the way.
   There has been alot of flooding in Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas. Millions without power. The storm was a category 3 at one point, but the storm and the damage could have been worse.
   I remember thinking this summer we were due for a hurricane because we were having a drought, and often hurricanes will follow a dry season. Also the waters of the Atlantic Ocean were very warm, which is one of the conditions needed for a hurricane to form.
   The hurricane season is not over yet, but it is hoped that there will be no more storms of this magnitude and people will be safe.
   I am grateful that we are just having a little rain!

Wishing well for everyone,
Maery

New York City and New Jersey
Violence and Sadness in my City

A New Day - A New Dawn of Hope

   For many years I worked in Manhattan. I drove every day to the city, and felt I knew its highways, bridges, tunnels, streets, neighborhoods. East Side, West Side, Uptown, Downtown. It would take me six weeks to go through the entire city and to see every client. And it meant walking from a parking garage to many offices.
   And in doing so, in and amongst the traffic and the people, and the buildings and the weather and seasons, I felt I knew the pulse of the city. Varying times of the day would be different. Morning was the brightest light and the freshest. By noon or 1 pm things would shift. By 3 p.m. the light begins to wane and things shift to people leaving the city in a mass exodus to points north, east or west to the suburbs. Nighttime was very different. Darkness of course would descend, but it is true that the city never sleeps. There are bright lights and people walking every where throughout the night, whether it be to go to restaurants or movies or plays. People constantly on the move.
   I had decided a long time ago that in order to survive in the frantic pace of the city I had to imagine the flow of life in the city like a river, and that while I was there to go with the flow of that river, rather than fighting it. I am not a city girl, and I was always glad to go home at night to my own house in suburbia.
   One thing I used to do was attend lectures and classes in the evenings, on all kinds of topics, and to meet all kinds of interesting and wonderful people, all as unique as the city itself. For awhile I traveled to 39th Street off of Park Avenue at a tiny place called the Kittredge Club that was rented out for these lectures. What a magical time for me.
   But things change, and later I went to lectures on West 29th Street for a few years. I'd hear all kinds of wonderful stories and learn about life, much of which I have been able to incorporate into my own life, and then make into articles such as those I write here on this blog. And later on I attended lectures somewhere near 22nd Street as well, until my days in Manhattan became few and far between.

   Last weekend on September 17th I was dismayed and saddened to hear of a bomb exploding in Chelsea, on 23rd Street. Some people were injured, buildings destroyed, lives shattered. And yet it was only 6 blocks from where I had some of my happiest days in New York City, as well as only about 2 blocks from where I also met with friends.
   On the same day, there was a bomb in New Jersey, not so very far away.
   It was sad to know that violence and hatred seems to be spreading like a virus everywhere. What can one do about it. Except live a good life and keep the memories of what you hold dear.
   And my condolences go out to those who were directly affected. Not only here on this side of the globe, but around the world. For aren't we all connected somehow someway? I would like to think so. We are all humans, all trying our best in our lives.

   I do not have answers, but I can think and feel and live and love and always try to do the right thing.
   And pray for peace.

Be well and safe,
Maery

Autumn and Health

Autumn grasses

   Autumn is a time of reflection. Summer has ended and we move into another cycle of change which will ease us into winter. Once the harvest is over, things will begin to go dormant. A time of rest, reflection and regrouping. What we do for ourselves in the time of Autumn in regards to our health and well being will surely fortify us for the long winter to come.
   Autumn begins officially on September 23rd on the Autumnal Equinox - when the night's darkness equals the length of the day, and now nights will become longer, until December 21st on the Winter Solstice, which is the longest night. The days then slowly become longer.
   Animals start to gather food for winter, and we all slow down from the fast pace of Summer. Each cycle is in preparation for the next.
   In the Chinese Five Element Theory, Autumn is associated with the element of Metal. metal governs communication such as phones, television, transportation and speech. People who talk alot or talk too much have an imbalance of Metal. Metal is also associate with the minerals of the Earth.
   Metal is expressed in the mind and expression in the development of ideas, creativity, writing and speaking.
   Its direction is the West, which is where the Sun sets. So it makes sense, Autumn represents endings, the sunset of our lives for the season. The color associated with Metal is white. If you need Metal you can decorate with more white or incorporate more white into your wardrobe.

Autumn colors

   The emotions that relate to Metal are worry, grief and sorrow. A moderate amount of these emotions is reasonable, but excess can injure or affect the lungs or large intestine, which are the We remember the good times of the recent past, we remember our loved ones who have passed away. Again it is good to reminisce but not to hold onto the past. Autumn can be a time of letting go, deciding what needs to stay and what needs to go. Together with emotions, the sound of Metal is weeping or crying. It is all right to shed tears, it is a normal release of emotions, but not to take over your whole life or interfere with your daily life.
   The sense organ of Metal is the nose, and then of course the sense associated with Metal is the sense of smell. Our sense of smell is very keen, and is a direct conduit to the brain through the olfactory nerves. Using essential oils during the Autumn months as things transition could be very helpful. Mint is very cleansing but also very calming and good for the emotions. Lavender too is very relaxing. Find what scents work for you. It would seem Autumn would need musky, earthy smells, combined with something medicinal and cleansing as well. To ground oneself and cleanse at the same time would be ideal.
   The flavor of metal is spicy or pungent, with things like peppers or mustard, which help to pen the sense, clear the sinuses and stimulate the lungs. However, too much spice can injure the lungs.
   The body fluid connected with Metal is mucus. One of the functions of mucus is to coat and protect the mucus membranes and the fluid can wash away debris and bacteria. Excess mucus can indicate a Metal imbalance, not enough water or eating too much mucus producing foods. It can promote accumulation of bacteria and also cause inflammation which is a key factor in many disease states.
   The climate is dryness. A state of being too dry or too wet is not ideal and is not helpful. So there needs to be a balance. If your home has heat via hot air, you may need to humidify your air. If you live in a damp area such as near the water, you will need to worry about mold accumulating in the air and the home, so an air purifier might be needed, or a dehumidifier if extremely wet. Each place requires different things, but you can work towards gaining balance.

 The organs for Metal are the lungs and large intestines. They are about taking in nutrients and expelling waste products. It is easy to see that if these organs become inhibited by toxins that the rest of the body will suffer, for toxins can build up and clog the systems.
   Diet is important of course, but so are environmental toxins such as pollution and cigarette smoke. If you live in a city or area that is heavy polluted you might want to invest in an air purifier for your home, especially the bedroom. I also use a mister with mint water to purify the air. If you have central air conditioning make sure to clean the filters regularly. Keep the home free of dust by vacuuming and cleaning often.
   One the of the best ways to purify the air in your space is to have plants. They are great ecology cleaners and clean toxins from the air. Plants do best with a southern or eastern exposure -depending on where you live.
   Deep breathing is also essential for lung health and for cleansing as well.
   Problems with lungs can turn up in the skin and hair.
   Lungs do not do well in a cold, damp climate so it is important to keep warm
   Congestion of the large intestines leads to dysfunction and can cause abdominal discomfort as well as back aches in the low to mid back area. It can also cause pressure in the head, nose, sinus, neck and result in headaches, sore throats, and lack of energy.
   Dietary considerations fro both the lungs and large intestines include eliminating alcohol, fatty foods, fried food and chemicals and preservatives, as well as meats, dairy and refined foods. Eating fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, high amounts of fiber and foods low in fat is helpful. Mucus forming foods include dairy, meat and sugar. Also try to avoid too much caffeine.
   A cold is often a sign that toxins have built up in the body.
   Since Metal is associated with the mind, meditation is also helpful. It allows the mind to relax and repair instead of being constantly supercharged by all the stimulation of modern times with televisions, phones and computers.
   Autumn is a good time to do a cleanse, however always remember to check with your doctor before making any dietary changes. Cleansing, eating properly and exercise and proper rest will help to set the tone for having a healthy Winter.

Be well,
Maery

The Fury of Nature

Stormy skies

Hurricanes in the Atlantic,
Earthquakes in Italy,
Floods in New Orleans

   Here on the East Coast of the U.S., we have just been spared from Hurricane Hermine, which thankfully has been downgraded to a Tropical Storm. We will still experience some wind and rain and rip tides and flooding and erosion, but not to the extent it could have been.
   I have recently spoken and written about how we were experiencing some drought, with very little or  no rain, and how hurricanes usually follow a drought period. Also it has been 4 years since Hurricane Sandy hit here, and 11 years since Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans in 2005.
   Both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans seem very active right now, with multiple storms in a procession, one after the other. And the hurricane season does not officially end until November 30th, so we could still experience more storms. Although in the Pacific and Indian Oceans the storms are referred to as cyclones or typhoons.
   But I thought about the fury of nature, and despite all of our modern technology and evolution, we are still subject to nature. We need to live and dress according to the season and temperature, and take an umbrella when needed, and to shovel snow or melt ice, and be wary of storms. We think we are the masters of our own universe, but Mother Nature still has the power to humble us and remind us who we are. I hope this does not mean that someday society will make us live in temperature controlled glass domes, for then it seems we would no longer be human.
   For me, I think the key is to always respect nature, and as I have often said, try to live within the cycles of nature. The seasons, the months, days and nights, cycles of the Moon, movement of planets and the existence of stars and other galaxies, the flora, the fauna and people like ourselves. It is all part of being human.
   The winds are picking up now, but the Sun is still shining. Animals seem to scurry for cover, the ospreys have already gathered fish for their nests in the trees. Where do birds go in storms? Hiding for cover in trees? Rabbits burrow underground. Fish go deeper into the sea?

The angry sea

   I remember Hurricane Donna in the 1960's, and Hurricane Gloria, and Hurricane Sandy. For Donna, the tide came right up to our driveway, but did not damage the little house built into the hill. My grandmother wanted to stay in the house alone in the storm. I will never understand why she wanted to do that. Maybe it made her feel close to nature. I don't know.
   By the time Gloria came, my parents had a power generator, so I went to stay with them. The storm raged on and on, and we had a few lights and the refrigerator to keep my grandmother's insulin cold. We went out the next day to get more food and were amazed at the piles of trees along the way that looked like match sticks lying on the ground. We went to a deli to beg for a chunk of bologna for my grandmother to have some protein, but the man would not sell it to us because he couldn't figure out what it would really cost. I was stunned.
   Hurricane Sandy was 4 years ago, but some families still don't have their houses rebuilt yet and many have been demolished. No power or heat for 14 days. No gasoline. And once Sandy left us in her wake, it was very cold, and it snowed a day later. It was Halloween when it snowed, and the children in the neighborhood never went out for their candy, because there was no power and no candy.
   But I was lucky because up here on the cliffs there was no water damage, just the wind. The roof peeled like an onion and I had a blue tarp on my roof for 6 months, but many people lost their entire homes, and their oil tanks in their basements floated down the street. Water, fire, floods, wind. Devastation.

   I remember during the height of the storm I had only 1 station on my little battery operated radio. It was broadcasting in Staten Island. And the announcer said oh no, here comes the high tide, and Staten Island was swamped. Shortly after, the wind seemed to dissipate. The house had been shaking for about 5 hours. In the  morning, when it was finally light, a neighbor came and knocked on my door and said don't worry I will remove your fallen tree for you. There was debris everywhere. Two fences torn down, and another tree. The wind had whipped through the back yard like a wind tunnel. Many neighborhoods looked like multiple tornadoes had gone through.
   But still this is nothing in comparison to what some people have gone through. In the Midwest tornadoes are a regular occurrence. And what about the recent earthquake in Italy?
   My sister travels to Italy quite regularly, but to the town of Torino. She knows better than me the land and the people and the skies and the Mediterranean Sea. I went to Italy only once, while we were in Nice, my family and I took the train to Ventimiglia to a market, and we had lunch.
   So no I do not know Italy so well, but can still have concern for those who suffered from the recent earthquake in central Italy. I did not know until now that the Apennines in central Italy is an active zone for seismic activity, and there have been many earthquakes. And there were over 1800 aftershocks that were felt as far as Rome, Florence and Bologna. They were medieval towns, so how many lives were lost in those ancient buildings that can never really be replaced? And what about the little dog, who was saved 9 days after the earthquake? In the midst of devastation, can miracles still occur?
   And why do people live in active zones. Is is because they have always lived there for generations and generations? Why did people first settle here? Was there something about the land, the  mountains, maybe even the energy in the land, as it is active geologically.
   It is curious, because I ask myself why I live where I do, and it is embaressing to think it is mostly because I was born in this area. I did travel to some places, but for now this is my home base. So why do people live where they live? And why do some people move, even across continents or oceans? What are they seeking? A new life, a new place, a new adventure, or do they simply want to leave their past behind.
   And lastly, New Orleans. Epic floods, people losing their homes, streets filled with water so that boats are needed. It is a very low country, and flat, and close to the sea. It is ironic perhaps that New Orleans was hit by Hurricane Katrina 11 years ago. Another cycle of water and destruction. It makes you think. It makes you appreciate and value what you have.
   I remember the week of Hurricane Katrina. I was at a family reunion is South Carolina, and driving my little car afterwards to Florida, while Katrina was making its initial cross over South Florida. It went into the Gulf of Mexico and proceeded to gain strength until it became the epic storm that ravaged New Orleans and other states like Alabama and Mississippi. We did not know it would be like this, perhaps we were too complacent. So Mother Nature teaches us never to underestimate the power of nature.
   Wishing you all a safe year and years to come.

Maery

Harvest and earth

Living a Natural Life

Changing with the Seasons - Late Summer

   Every year around this time, the beginning of August, a cold front comes through, making an unusually cool morning and day, that to me somehow signals the beginning of the end of Summer and the onset of Fall. Change is in the air.
   And also this time of year is called Later Summer in Chinese medicine, and so we must adjust once again, as the daylight hours begin to grow noticeably shorter.
   It is also a time when the harvest begins, so it is a good time for letting things go, while reaping the rewards of our endeavors at the same time.
   Late Summer is associated with the element of earth, which seems to make sense because it is the time of harvesting crops from the Earth, at least here in the U.S. With the influence of earth one can become more grounded, take stock of oneself and one's life, reflecting on the events of Summer and preparing for Fall.
   From the element of fire comes the production of earth, through the ashes, as we manifest things in the physical. Summer projects or ideas come to fruition.
   Earth also nourishes, for example when you think of Mother Earth, the maternal nurturing aspect. This season, according to Chinese medicine, governs the stomach and spleen, so digestion becomes important. All too often we see stomach viruses in the Summer/Late Summer cycle. We need to slow down and take care of ourselves, which is sometimes hard in the fast pace of today's society. So it is a good reminder to ourselves. The stomach and spleen work together to digest and give energy and nutrition needed. Diet, as always, is important, building in some heavier proteins, whole grains, seeds, nuts and beans instead of the light salads and juices of midsummer. But not to forget the fresh produce and vegetables as well, and not to go to extremes with alcohol or heavy meals. Of course do not change your diet or habits drastically if you have certain health conditions and always notify your doctor or health care practitioner of any changes you make.
   It is important to be flexible in this time of transition, and not to resist the changes that are coming. We begin to ease slowly from Summer towards Fall, then inevitably Winter.
   The sense organ associated with Late summer is the mouth and taste, so again to do with not only digestion and assimilation, but also nutrition and nurturing oneself. The mouth also enables us to speak out our ideas and expressions, and singing also goes with the element of earth. A doctor once told me singing is healthy - it gets out any locked up emotions or hidden angers. The sound of earth is singing, so this makes sense. So feel free to sing in the shower if you don't want anyone to hear you, or sing along in the car to the radio or cd's. 
   The fluid for Late Summer is saliva, which also helps us to begin the digestion of food, so have an Autumn harvest feast of fresh foods to celebrate Late Summer. The lips is the organ where you can detect imbalances, whether they are dry, cracked or peeling. This is an indication of imbalance somewhere in the body, and to do with the element of earth.

Rocks go with the element of earth

   The compass direction that goes with earth is the center, which is not surprising, as we try to ground and center ourselves at this time of year, through the influence of the element of earth. In Feng shui, the center of the house is to do with health and healing, so it is good to keep the center of the home clean and clear of clutter. Put a sparkling clear crystal in the center of the home to radiate the seven colors of the spectrum.
   The climate to do with Late Summer is moist, and here where I reside it is a time of high humidity. Humidity moistens things and allows things to grow and come to fruition and to have less friction. Too much moisture however can promote the growth of mold and too much dampness is not good either. People who despise humidity with a vengeance may have an earth imbalance. In contrast, think of the desert where it is so dry and hot. Or in the mountains of Colorado it is so dry that my skin would crack, and lungs would hurt to breathe, since I am accustomed to the moisture and humidity of the east coast.
   The emotion to do with earth is sympathy. Although it can be wonderful to be empathetic and sympathetic in our daily lives, especially towards others, there is always a danger here to be too giving. If you give too much and sacrifice yourself for others, you can be draining your own energy and emotional reserves. For those who give too much, learn to say no sometimes. And for people who are "cold" like the cold earth, learn to give some more warmth to self and others.
   The color to do with earth is yellow. It is a bright and cheerful color, and reminds me of the sun, and like the sun, yellow brings warmth into our lives. You can use the color yellow during this time, whether you have too much earth or not enough. Everything is a balance.
   The smell of Late Summer is fragrant, like the ripe flowers, berries and crops. Use aromatherapy with fruitlike scents or anything that is fragrant - like lavendar.
   The tissue with earth is the flesh and muscles, so it is a good time to build strength through exercise, and gain strength before the Winter months come.
   As we head toward Fall, things can become bittersweet, cherishing our memories but also knowing that now a new cycle begins.

Be wll,
Maery

My little wild rabbit enjoying the feast of clover

   

Edgar Degas Comes to New York!

Well, not Edgar Degas himself of course, but a compilation of his works at a special exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. What does art have to do with Natural Living? Quite a bit because what many famous artists over the years were able to connect to whether it be nature or spirituality or religion or ideas, perceptions - it is still a unique expression of the world around us - one that is aesthetic rather than commercial - for most artists are either poor or starving and try to create something more original than just what a machine or computer can do. It can be any medium whether it is sculpture or paint or pottery or photography or glass or stained glass or writing or music.

   In art history, different groups or movements, whether it be Realism, Romanticism, Impressionism, Art Nouveau, Pointilism, Modernism, Abstract and so on, are expressions. How the aspects of light, color, texture, form and mediums like paint, charcoal, pastels and monographs are handled, as well as subject matter. Some artists in Paris painted what they thought was real life and catching grim wisps of peasant or street life. And in groupings where they discussed art or argued about principles of art and power struggles to be noticed and accepted, meanwhile the art itself was wanting to be born in expression.
   This also goes for music as an art form, and can't we all appreciate a good piece of music - and didn't our mothers' lullabies rock us to sleep?
   Experiencing art, light, color - I feel these are natural things that nourish the body, mind, soul and spirit.
   So yes, an exhibit of the works of Edgar Degas. I drove to the City on a summer Sunday morning, striving to be at the doors of the museum when it opened, and yet the line was already out the door. I was taken on a magical, mysterious tour of a collection from around the world, and doubt there will ever be another one like it.
   Edgar Degas did not consider himself to be an Impressionist and by good fortune he came from a wealthy family, so he was able to paint art for the sake of art and not necessarily the critics.
   I learned that Edgar Degas was about  more than just painting ballerinas, for which he was famous, and cafe singers, washer women and prostitutes, but he was really painting Paris. But also during his time was the strong influence of the introduction of photography, and the use of printing to make monographs as an art form as well.
   With the Industrial Revolution, people were seeking balance between the natural world and the  mechanical world, not so different from now when we spend our days on computers and phones and televisions. Whereas some artists were concerned with light during this time in history, and throughout history as well in different degrees and techniques, Degas' passion was capturing movement in such a way that figures still appeared to be moving - so real or surreal that you expect the characters to move as if in a film, yet some figures appear to be stern or stoic. Others give just a hint of movement which is enough to suggest movement and power. All of this of course was experimental.
   While viewing these works in this exhibit, it was clear to see that Degas' did many movement studies, and sketched certain subjects over and over again. He pursued his own ideas. Originally he went to the Louvre and copied Renaissance paintings, and throughout his years of painting he struggled to reconcile the old traditions with the new - which was quite a challenge and something that faced all the artists of his time.
   Degas experimented with modern techniques by using the "monotype" process - which is to drawn in ink on a metal plate which was then run through a press and produced a print. After the single print was produced Degas would rework and revise with color and it allowed him to try to experiment and create. He produced at least 300 monotypes.
   And although Degas did meet with Impressionists and was friends or acquaintances or enemies of many artists of the times, and although he organized many Impressionist exhibits, he still considered himself to be a realist.
   But no matter what he did, Degas and other artists throughout history give us the gifts of their creativity and expression that comes from within a creative process and not something manufactured by a machine or an assembly line.
   I felt very inspired when I left the museum. However, it was pouring rain by then. I had bought some books in the bookstore and didn't want them to get ruined. Although the bag was water "resistant" I couldn't be sure in the downpour. I waited awhile for it to let up, but it didn't really. I did have an umbrella and rain jacket and waterproof shoes, so I tucked my bag inside my jacket and headed out into the storm.
   There were puddles everywhere that had flowed into small streams. It was dark and grey, nothing like the idyllic summer day you would imagine. Everything was wet from buildings to cars to streets and sidewalks and windows. So I rushed through the streets, passing by Rockefeller Center and St. Patrick's Cathedral, and small streams of people of all ages, sizes and colorful clothing, a sense of movement like a tide in the streets, together with cars and taxies flowing at their own frenetic pace. And yet it still had an order to it. Stop lights would cease the flow of cars, and yet allow streams and lines of people to cross.
   It wasn't long before I found my parking garage and went into the flow of the streets, then down through the tunnel and headed towards home. The trip itself was an expression of life, and me within that life. This is natural living, to be alive, and to experience and feel and appreciate life.

Enjoy,
Maery

Memories of Nice  ..... Let the Healing Begin

   I've been to Nice only once, with the family one summer years ago. As one of

Resting on a rock in Nice, above the city

my favorite places, I began wondering what is it about a place or places that attract us to it? Is it the energy of the land, is it because you were born in a particular place and raised there?
   It is hard to pinpoint exactly what makes each country or nation different, other than the obvious physical things like climate, topography, the people, the customs, the food. Surely that is part of it. But then why do other places make us feel uncomfortable?
   I am also writing this because recently there was a very terrible incident there that took the lives of many innocent men, women and children. So perhaps in remembering the good memories I had there, plus this mystery of why some lands are more attractive than others may help to restore some peace and healing to a place that has been wounded.
   I remember coming on the plane, after having some minor injuries, so I was in some pain and uncomfortable on the flight over. I rarely sleep on transatlantic flights, so I was happy to see the dawn as we drew nearer. Just looking at the crystal blue waters, I felt as though I had been transported to another world. After landing the glare of the sun was so bright it took awhile to adjust. There it is again, that supreme quality of light in the South of France. It is so bright and crystal clear and pure, like it is transparent, yet at the same time has a kind of golden glow to it. You could not capture it, and most likely none of the artists who have tried to work with the light have never really captured its true essence.

Family time at the villa reading

   Riding through the town, it was a hub of activity, of people moving around, walking, going to cafes and shops, and then the promenade along the waterfront. And still more people, as it was the height of summertime. It was almost too much to take in all at once, for the senses were filled and overflowing.
   We made our way up into the hills, way above the city, to a villa of a family friend where we were staying for awhile. Even the streets had their own kind of charm, winding and turning ever upward into the hills, with the scenery becoming more rugged and rural, tall grasses and trees and dusty dirt clinging to the ground, swirling sometimes as we drove by.

My nephew by the fig tree in the yard

   It was very comfortable at the villa, which was white, and the sunlight sometimes seemed to make it glow. From there you could see the city below, the sky and the sea, but it was hard to tell if the Azure Coast was named for the color of the sky or the sea or both. Every day there were different colors and hues of deepest blue, with touches of pink in the magnificent sunsets.
   We didn't venture very far, but sat outside in the glorious sunlight reading or resting, and having outdoor cook outs in the evenings with the fresh food from the market place. 
   Although I had some discomfort and was very stiff, and I had forgotten to pack my herbs, it seemed the place itself was one of healing between the air, the light, the colors, who knows what it was? A place that was timeless but also a sense of being ancient.

Me at Cimiez

   So who knows what makes us each find different places that we are attracted to. I know for example I usually have trouble in Germany, it is a very strong and vibrant place, but perhaps too intense for me. Even New York can sometimes be harsh, with its granite base. Some mountains can be hard and sharp and rocky, while the Catskills of New York are very soft and round in nature it seems.

Mom at Cimiez

   So this bears more investigation, as connecting to one's homeland is indeed a part of natural living, because you are connecting to the land and the whole earth. All too often we forget about nature and living a natural life, so tied up in our work and our technological toys of phones, ipads, and drones. So it causes more questions, as to what places may make you feel well, while others not so well.

   We cannot turn back time, but we can preserve what we have and what we love as best we can. 

Wishing you well,
Maery

Tranquility