On her youtube channel, astrologer Pam Gregory eloquently describes tomorrow’s new moon in relationship to the Aquarian Age we now enter. She notes that six planets are currently in Aquarius including a conjunction between beneficent planets Jupiter and Venus. Pam explains that the last time there were this many planets in Aquarius was 1962 when seeds were sown both for now and also the 60’s with its forays into communal living.

Since listening to her talk on youtube, I have been thinking about how our reboot of that 60’s community energy could be about us creating even more harmonious community.

One of our former staff goddess, Patricia, lived in the commune Wooden Shoes in the 60’s. From her report and that of others I have talked to, the success and failure of the endeavor seemed to rise and fall on some very down to earth things.  Dirty dishes to be exact.

Nothing seems to have been more of a problem than people who did not do their dishes. Or take out the garbage.

Not doing your own dishes or being responsible for your own garbage is such a good example of a basic dilemma in groups. You can have a group of people in which most everyone is taking care of their own personal challenges in a way respectful to the group as a whole, and you can have one or two who are not doing this, and the entire group is deeply affected by these few individuals.  In understanding that each of us come to group settings wounded, how do we both manifest compassion yet also not allow people to have a hall pass on dumping their garbage on others?

The patriarchal model is being smashed apart right now and a good thing too. In patriarchy, top down authority was the norm. This meant we often experienced the sometimes desperate and mostly unsuccessful efforts of a leader to control group dynamic by any means.

Knowing full well this must have been a pattern I incarnated with, I found myself in a family of origin in which my leadership job was to cheer up the entire family with my happy disposition. I can think of many similar situations in my life in which I tried to drag a resistant group from anger, pessimism, fear and resistance towards something more open hearted and happy. After all, if I got the cheerleader job when I was a toddler, it had to be my job in every group dynamic, didn’t it? I can’t think of many instances in which this remotely worked, and I am grateful for the light bulb moment when I realized how this job assignment and my misunderstandings about it had colored so many of my group interactions to the detriment of all.

Let’s face it, most of us have been in group situations in which one or more persons are making it a hell for everyone else. Too often all efforts to shift the dynamic flounder as we all fall into the dynamics of that first group we were in, our family of origin.

As Uranus squares Saturn and continues to dismantle patriarchy all year, I can think of very few top down structures that serve any positive end or should survive. In school structures, elders are needed to model for young people a way to harmoniously exist in a group. And bless them for this largely thankless work. But as the rest goes, good riddance.  This leaves me with the question, how do we exist in groups where there is no top down authority?

Going back to Pam’s video, she talks about quantum physics and the way that matter coalesces around frequency.  This reminds me of why Flower Essences are so powerful a tool in group dynamics as well as for individual use.  Flower Essences are all about raising frequency. As Pam points out, when you raise the frequency what manifests is of this higher vibration.

Many of you may recall the story of how the Green Hope Farm staff came to meditate together as a daily practice. It was 1993. We had put up 25 posters welcoming visitors to the gardens. Instead of the sprinkle of people we expected, up to a hundred people arrived each day.  There were four of us working in the gardens and all of us had a lot of other things going on. Overwhelmed, we found ourselves in a group dynamic of arguing about priorities. It was a situation in which we couldn’t possibly get everything done, but the arguing didn’t help.

The Angels suggested we meditate before we discussed anything, and they had us do our daily meditation in the Eight Garden where the 5D vibration of great light and harmony was grounded.  This combination of a high vibration space and a meditation where we temporarily laid down our ego transformed our group discussions and work together. Our fighting dialed down to practically nonexistent, and we arrived at priorities harmoniously. This was a very, very good thing because four people handling the maintenance of many gardens and hundreds of visitors was a very tall task.

Remembering this gave me insight into supporting group harmony as we go forward into this new paradigm of Aquarian co-creative creation.

Getting the support of 5^th dimensional frequencies via Flower Essences or in some other way is very helpful. To mention again what Pam says, “matter coalesces around frequency.” This mean sitting in a room spritzed with high vibration Flower Essences and collectively seeking an intention to raise our vibrations is a very powerful way to manifest a group working in harmony.

For those who don’t welcome the higher frequency, it will be uncomfortable to be in the vibration and they will either make the inner adjustment to raise their vibration into harmony with the higher vibration of the group or they will leave the group. No top down authority is needed or coercion of any sort.

This has been such a good truth for me to remember as my initial life training was that everyone had to be on the happiness train and it was my job, by any means, to try and get everyone onboard. What relief to let people make their own choices and not take responsibility for what these are.

Here are some possible Flower Essences to spritz in group settings. Remember Flower Essences never take away anyone’s free will about anything.  They are information about higher frequencies people can choose to tune to should they want to do so. People will either welcome the vibration or make their own choice to stay in lower frequencies, and it is not anyone’s responsibility but their own whatever they choose.

I am trying to keep this list short so as not to overwhelm you with choices, but a lot of Essences want to be mentioned. I have held it to 7, but if you get a prompting to go in a completely different direction, trust it, because so many other Flower Essences want to help with this shift in group dynamics on the planet!

Arbor Garden– The original Essence in our collection for feeling oneness and harmony with those here in incarnation and those who have passed across the veil. It remains one of our most loved remedies.

The Eight Garden– We have created the Eight Garden mandala twice to keep stocked in this Essence as it is a tremendous support for releasing low vibration ego garbage and bringing in the higher frequencies. It is particuarly effective as it holds a very strong energy supporting release as well as manifestation. And again, this was the garden we sat in when we worked on our group dynamics in 1993.

Purple Allamanda– Wow!  What a time to welcome a new Flower Essence but today, Purple Allamanda, a dynamo from St John that has sat quietly on the shelves for several years, announces its time has come. It tells me its I AM affirmation says it best, I AM unity consciousness, but do read what else it shares at this link.

Carouby de Maussane Pea A wonderful group harmonizer, this Pea Essence helps us participate in community as our most loving self. This is the part of ourselves that knows everyone is our spiritual equal, and we are all doing the best we can. When we have temporarily lost our way into competitiveness or backbiting, this Essence returns us to this gentler view.

Orange Lantana– This gem from Taiwan helps us experience groups as a blessing and delight like a wonderful night gathered around a campfire sharing from our souls.

Sweet Pea– Long beloved for its ability to help us get a good night’s sleep, Sweet Pea also has great strengths in supporting us to find a harmonious thread of connection with ANY group we find ourselves in.

Angelica– I have been thinking a lot about this plant as it’s blossom resembles Wild Parsley which is in the spotlight as a possible cure for covid. Here I mention Angelica for its great unifying energy which helps us know we are Divinity in a sea of Divinity with all of us equal because we are one.

 Today I want to say, “Congratulations!”

Congratulations because we are getting through this time. I am proud of us, navigating this enormous collective lesson together. There has been so much new to deal with, all in a framework of confining circumstances.  Some of these circumstances are rubbing off our sharp edges in a good way. Some of these circumstances are just wearing us down. What will remain awaits to be seen, but I am hopeful that we will be a kinder, more loving and open-hearted collective at the end of this. 

I am hopeful that isolation has helped us weary of polarizing each other in useless arguments and name calling. I am hopeful when we meet up again face to face we will glory in each other’s faces and not so much dwell on our differences. I am hopeful we will be so grateful for the chance to visit that we’ll not be so hell bent on finding the things we disagree about.

I see signs this edge rubbing has helped us already to find better manners and our best selves. The scene at my grocery store has gone from toilet paper free-for-all to love fest.  As I walked the aisles this morning, I heard many sweet exchanges between customers and staff.  The air hummed with a feeling of gratitude for something vaguely normal like pushing a cart through a grocery store with only four hundred reminders what six feet distance actually is.

One sign said it was the distance between one moose antler and another. Hmmmm  A fun fact but not exactly how I measure this distance, even after forty years in moose country!  

In any case, when we get to see only a few people in any given week, it’s hard to miss how precious everyone is regardless of their differences or maybe even because of them.

I am feeling grateful for pretty much everything these days, and it’s seems like you are too. What a gift to feel more gratitude for the simple things we took for granted a year ago. 

Lizzie and I take a walk very early every morning. Recently it’s been more of a snow stomping as we work to maintain a path through the deep snow of our woodland route. We always run into the same neighbors at the same place on our loop. I knew these neighbors to say hello to before the pandemic. We still don’t know each other well, but now we greet each other as old friends. Neighbors have become more precious than ever.  

And the mail! I greet the mail with a similar whoop of joy.  I have always loved letters. In the office we have always poured over your missives and read them aloud to each other. BUT NOW, we read them, then reread them, then hang them up to read again.  Small pleasures have become such big ones. I am not sure I will ever move through the world without a gratitude for everything. I hope not.

One letter came from a beloved in LA. Not only has her family experienced big economic challenges and extremely confining circumstances, but she went through her own perilous experience which she shared with us in a matter of fact manner that reflected her imperishable faith in life.

As an octogenarian, her hips are not as spry as her agile and expansive mind. She fell, far from her phone and could not get up. She knew a relative was coming to visit in a couple of days, and she knew she would have to lie there and just be until then. Three days it was.  This woman’s spiritual practice has long inspired me, but here in this hour, she reached deep into herself and proceeded through her days on the floor with calm, fearlessness, attention to all that was good in the world.  She kept her mind on the Light and the Light kept focused on her.

When I read her letter, I had to read it over and over. What a story. What an example to us all. When the going got beyond tough, she dug deep into herself and just kept going.  Not with self-pity or despair, but with a decision to reach into her inner resources and use them all. And she did. And she prevailed. I felt such a rush of gladness she was safe and such a rush of awe at the grace with which she moved through this experience.

And I feel that way about all of us. Who amongst us would have invited a pandemic into their lives? Nonetheless, we made peace with this uninvited guest and made the best of it. Yes, I hope the uninvited guest is packing bags to go, but won’t we all have gained some gifts from this time, not just war wounds? Won’t we all have stories to tell about the time of Covid? Won’t we all feel bonded by sharing this time together? Won’t we all have learned so very much about how much the chance to love each other matters? I think so.

As I finish this, I recall the Rumi poem, The Guesthouse

This being human is a guest house.

Every morning a new arrival.

a joy, a depression, a meanness,

some momentary awareness comes

as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!

Even if they are a crowd of sorrows

who violently sweep your house

empty of all its furniture,

still, treat each guest honorably.

He may be clearing you out

for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,

meet them at the door laughing and invite them in.

Be grateful for whatever comes,

because each has been sent

as a guide from beyond.

I thought it might be helpful to offer Flower Essence suggestions for our life circumstances during the pandemic, especially as this chapter of life on earth stretches on. Before I begin, I want to note that we still have a mix, Timely Virus Mix, for support to keep virus free or cope with the virus if you do get it.

I have divided my suggestions into categories- Let me know if I missed something!

One other thing. You’ll notice I chose photos from the Camino throughout this blog. This is because the Camino and the reality of spiritual journey is so relevant during this time of pandemic. In truth, we are still on the Camino even when we are not literally walking a trail!”

Support to be as resilient and flexible as possible

So many plans cancelled or changed. So many jobs and relationships in flux. This has been a time requiring us to be very flexible and resilient in the face of innumerable setbacks and disappointments.  Here are some Flower Essences to help us find our most resilient self.

Common Ragwort– Helps us not get stuck in resistance but find our resilience to face necessary change. This is especially helpful when the change is extreme and alien. Ring any bells?

Watch Your Back– Okay, bear with me a moment because this doesn’t initially seem to have much to do with flexibility and resilience, but this combination includes all our Palm Essences, all of which embody and offer a vibration of great flexibility and resilience. Just think how Palms bend in hurricane winds yet live to see another day.

Coltsfoot– Another one that seems more connected to other concerns like regaining flexibility after an orthopedic injury, however this one also helps us have a flexible attitude towards change.

Red Rugosa Rose– This one helps us ride stormy seas with resilience, grace, humor even panache.

Support for feelings of claustrophobia

On the Camino there are places on the trail that are called God forsaken places, stretches that feel so spiritually heavy that pilgrims must work hard to keep going through these dark places. Here are some Flower Essence suggestions if this stretch of your spiritual journey has felt like a God forsaken place or simply a place of claustrophobic smallness.

Bramble from Scotland– This one helps us arise from a dark place and move towards a place of greater light, even if the journey right now can only be an inner journey not literal.

Omey Island– This combination remedy, made on the sacred tidal island of Omey Island, Connemara, Ireland, helps us accept the natural flow of life including times when we are cut off from each other as when a tide cuts an island off from the mainland. It helps us to feel whole even as our lives have been pared down by circumstances beyond our control. It helps us know we are spiritual beings having a physical experience not visa versa. It helps us rest in an understanding that this time serves us spiritually and therefore it’s okay to accommodate it peacefully.  Pilgrims created the Camino with no intention of including God forsaken places, but these places arose none the less as part of the spiritual journey.  Omey Island helps us know these places have their gifts.

Boundless– Support from this Venus Garden variation to feel the Boundless glory of our souls even when physical limitations are present.

Ruby Moon Hyacinth Bean– Helps us experience our spiritual freedom no matter the circumstances.

Specific support if we miss traveling

One of the essential gifts of Flower Essences is that they bring us the healing vibration of other geographical locations when we can’t go to these places ourselves. Consider dipping into collections from places you’d like to visit.  This gives your energy system the same information as if you had actually visited. Yes, it’s not the same as actually being in the place, but right now these global offerings are very expansive and balancing to us.  We have Flower Essences from Bermuda, Ireland, Spain, Costa Rica, Chile, Patagonia, Crete, India, Sicily, Greece, Taiwan, Japan, Scotland, St John USVI, as well as from various places in the US.

Help so our currently restricted daily life to feel more joyful and fun

Mazarife- This Camino beloved supports us to create an oasis of joy during bleak stretches in our lives.

Daisy– If we have been scattered or discontent, Daisy helps us find a cheerful, happy state of being, one that feels very centered and grounded and where we feel confident in our right to be happy.

Gratitude– Because counting our blessings always helps.

Don’t Worry-Bee Happy– Rising above the clouds of worry to feel the buzz of eternal joy.

Globe Mallow– Support to feel a robust appreciation of the everyday as well as experience even the most humdrum and constrained day as sacred.

The Fairy Rose– Because we all need a bit of dolphin magic and play.

FJ Grootendorst Rose– Offers us that most happy summer feeling.

Bramble– This Bramble from Ireland helps us experience the half glass full even amidst circumstances that are extremely challenging.

Allspice– Helps us heighten our senses and therefore experience the extraordinary in the ordinary.

Acceptance of what is

In addition to Omey Island, there are other Flower Essences that help us find acceptance with what is. Interestingly, many of them are from the ever-evolving Venus Garden at Green Hope Farm which each season offers us support for a big picture situation we are all going through.

Equanimity– This Venus Garden variation holds a template for equanimity. Equanimity is the state of being calm, composed, even tempered especially in difficult situations. Equanimity is the ability to remain poised and in balance even when pressed by painful experiences of failure and loss. It is not so much not caring, as being able to care in a calm and emotionally balanced way.

Love it and Leave It– This Venus Garden gem brings us to an experience of our immutable Divine real self. It does this by loosening our focus on the unreal and helping us focus on love. It does this by encouraging detachment and an unshakeable knowledge that all things of this world are momentary and passing. This knowledge releases us from the futility of trying to control outcomes. It releases us to genuinely enjoy whatever is happening without thinking it defines us. It releases us into true happiness as we realize nothing defines us but our Creator. This detachment leaves us free to focus on what IS unchangeable, and it isn’t fame or fortune. Focused love on Divinity is our way through the momentary and passing to the absolute and eternal.

Loving What Is- Help to put the heart ahead of the mind, because when the heart leads and the mind supports the heart, we find purpose and acceptance even in extreme circumstances. When the mind leads, it’s not so good.

Maple– Maple helps us cultivate the middle road, a balanced and calm view of things and acceptance of what is.

Redwood– What does the ancient Redwood know? This too shall pass.

Flower from the Gardens of Taormina– Trusting the path in front of us even as things fall apart.

Support to use this time out to recharge for new breakthroughs

A golfer swings his club backwards before forwards and both directions serve the trajectory of the ball.  We are in a pause, a space that sometimes feels like a going backwards, but as things begin to go forward again, we’re going to see more clearly how this “time out” served us.

Zucchini– This one encourages us to use any downtime we have been given to recharge without guilt.

Desert Garden– Supports us to receive nourishment in inhospitable, harsh situations that seem to offer no hope of sustenance.

The Gate Beautiful– The backswing takes us temporarily back into tired old tales of three dimensional life, the forward swing takes us into the vibrant fifth dimension. This Venus Garden gem from 2020 powers our forward swing on into the beautiful fifth dimension.

Support to find our creative voice in this time

There is a scene in Apollo 11 when Houston mission control realizes that there won’t be enough oxygen to get the astronauts home unless the astronauts build a filtration system up in space.  Someone at mission control assembles all the random gear that the astronauts have available to make the system- things like socks and duck tape- and gets a group to build a filtration system that they can teach the astronauts to build in space. This saves the astronauts lives.  Sometimes I think constraints are the mother of invention just as much as necessity.

When I taught photography before Green Hope Farm was born, one assignment I gave my students was to take photographs of one building at the school using a kind of film that only printed in black and white with no gray.  The narrowness of this assignment made it the one that brought out the best in the students.  When the dust settles post covid, we are going to see a flood of new creations, creations born in spite of and sometimes because of the constraints we have all experienced. Here are some Flower Essences to support you to be part of this flood of creativity.

La Rioja– This Essence from the Camino collection supports us to find our unique creative voice.

Wild Iris– Reaching for the stars, we can choose to birth healing creations from the heart of our souls. This one helps us align to our most sublime creativity.

Lady’s Mantle– Sheltering our creative efforts so we can give birth to them when the time is right.

Clivia– Supports tangible results from our create efforts.

Partridgeberry– Support for a creative project to bear fruit especially those created in partnership (for me, this partnership has been with Angels and Elementals so this doesn’t have to be a partnership with another human).

The Eight Garden– Helps us get in the flow of the expanding light energy so we can bring our creative dreams into form in the most seamless way possible.

Support to navigate the losses

Change brings loss and this shift has brought a lot of it. As we pause to mourn the dead and the things we have seen leave our life, these Essences may help.

Grief & Loss– This Flower Essence combo is a steadfast friend in times of grief and loss. I can’t recommend it too highly.

Grief & Loss Rose Trio– Three generous and loving Roses offer a trio to tender support for us in our suffering.

Phoenix Rising– Supports in us the energy of rebirth from the ashes.

Arbor Garden– Humming with a vibration beyond the earth illusion of separation, this one helps us to feel the unity of life and abiding reality of oneness.

Support to feel hope, trust and our connection to source amidst the chaos

Gorse– Helps us have a steadiness of hope and optimism even in situations in which we are being battered by the winds of change or find ourselves in an environment of pessimism. It is an excellent ally when a feeling of all is lost is prevalent because Gorse knows all is never lost.

Eyes of Mary– This one helps us see the situation as Angels do, offering us an overview that is deeply relaxing, inspiring and hopeful.

Red Mangrove– Helps us feel anchored in eternal realities as temporal ones shift or fall away. This small and tenacious tree, rooted at the ocean shoreline, is one of the few trees that withstands hurricane winds. As an Essence it helps us know the truth that we are safe and firmly anchored in our Creator even when the waves rock and roll us or when all the other things we have looked to for stability and safe anchorage are crumbling away. It’s also a great energy for new creations as Mangroves serve as the nurseries for much new ocean life.

Yellow Water Lily– Helps us feel deeply rooted to source no matter the tumult, no matter the storm blowing on the surface of our lives.

Effort and Grace– Our efforts matter, not the outcome. That is what we can bring to the table right now. Grace matters too, and it comes to us with abundance and generosity when we least expect it. This Venus Garden combo shares a magical mix of effort and grace that encourages us to keep going in the mess of human life, knowing our efforts elevate and sweeten grace just as grace elevates and sweetens our efforts.

Creeping Daisy– Fills us to the brim with the knowledge that Spirit is, always has been, and always will be loyal to us.

Support with our next steps after this time

The Angels wanted to end with this topic, noting that the Camino collection which figures prominently below, is a particularly appropriate group for this concern.

Queen of the Night– This night blooming Flower and vibrational beacon of light illuminates where we are and helps us navigate forward across any terrain we are hesitant to cross. Her light literally unknots and dissolves complications. It is focused and wise.

The Way Forward– Made from many Flowers along a 500 mile stretch of the Camino, this Camino gem helps us find the next step wherever we are on our path.

Belorado– Another Camino beloved, this one helps us have faith in the emptiness before the dawning of the next chapter when we will find more community.

Puente la Reina– A Camino friend that helps us to lighten our energetic load, be clear about whom to travel forward with and who can actually support our growth.

Manjarin– Another from the Camino, this one supports us to see below the surface of any situation and break down the existing worldview so we can be energetically discerning about gifts and red herrings.

Trabadelo– A beloved Camino friend, this one helps us find the courage to let old patterns go even as we don’t know what our life will look like without them.

O’Cebreiro– Also from the Camino, this one helps us find the strength to leave behind people and places that you have loved but are not part of your growth as a soul (another for this is The Letting Go Flower).

Santiago– Another beloved Camino Essence. This one is for moments of false endings when the spiritual journey is ongoing.

Fisterra– The final Camino one suggested by the Angels. this one offers support when the soul is at the end of a long process of laying down major paradigms of this or other lives.

Rebirth!

As the staff goddesses departed for the weekend, we riffed about all the things we were going to do on the weekend- dancing, clubbing, movies, meals out, sky diving. When our laughter stopped, we had a moment of just being glad we were all healthy, but yes, there was still a fragrance of cabin fever in the air- both the usual winter in NH version and the unusual covid variation.

I decided to shake up the weekend as best I could to combat the north country’s particular type of cabin fever.  I would strive for innovative, outside the box adventure and a saucy attitude.

So how did it go? Let me share my exciting Saturday with you.

As Saturday morning dawned, temperatures were in the single digits. That and a significant wind chill factor made dressing for success vital. My solution was to layer with two winter coats, and that was while I was inside.

Jim needed to go to the dump with sheetrock scraps from the barn renovation. He got the interior of the truck smoking hot thus luring me into riding shotgun to town. This was a chance to have a date or as they say on The Bachelor TV show, “have significant one on one time”. We made the most of it by savoring the excitement of getting the truck weighed both before and after dumping our load.

Back at the farm, I decided to get our Animal Tracks book and go out and track the wanderings of the neighborhood bobcat. We’d seen him trot through the yard at dawn, so I knew where to look for his freshest tracks. This activity proved befuddling.

Humans may be staying home more during covid but the wild animals? Not so much.  About fifty feet into tracking the bobcat, I ran into a vast number of other tracks. As I wandered into the field next door following tracks, tracks and more tracks, I traveled up and down and all around the field, circling round and round in a futile attempt to sort out the deer, coyote, rabbit, turkey, skunk, squirrel, bobcat and dog traffic.

Because it was bitterly cold, I began to muse on the topic of “How much longer can it stay this cold out?” I recalled my first boss in NH who used to say that if you survived to double digits in February (ie Feburary 10^th), you had made it through the worst of a NH winter.  As I was counting off how many days until that magic moment, I also recalled that this man jogged with his tie on.  The memory of watching him jog round the track in suit coat and tie got me laughing.  So there I was staring at the ground, walking in circles and laughing my head off. Could an evening out on the town be more fun? I don’t think so.

It was lunchtime by the time I threw in the towel on becoming a master tracker in one day. I knew nothing further about bobcat behavior but had clearly established myself to the neighbors as truly off my rocker. I could just hear them commenting, “An arctic wind blows and she’s wandering in circles in a hayfield for a very, very long time. And good golly, she appears to be laughing.”

Post lunch on the weekends is always a moment of excitement as I wonder how so few people can make so many dishes.

After the last dish was washed and before the afternoon snack dishes began to pile up, I sat down with granddaughter Grace to discuss important topics like, “Do mermaids have to wash their hair?” This chat entertained me as I ripped out a large chunk of stitches on the sweater I was knitting. Even though I JUST knit this same sweater for one grandbaby last week, I messed up on the directions for this sweater for another grandbaby. By the time we had solved our mermaid questions and I had ripped out what felt like most of the sweater, Henry was up from his nap and asking to have books read to him.

30 or 40 of them.  Sometimes more than once. The three adults in the household, Grandpa, Grandma (me) and Henry’s Mom, all pitched in.  All of us were either reading aloud or listening to someone read aloud all through the afternoon hours.  What can I say? Ferdinand wears well.

Dinner time and a new recipe tried. It was not good. Like a night at the casino, I had gambled and lost.

But it wasn’t a total wash. Grandpa had just enough voice left to croak out a chapter in the chapter book we’re reading, then Grace and I had half an hour of mermaid time. OMG! Serious mermaid drama as one of the mermaids goofed up a levitation spell!

As the evening wound down, I felt serious contentment with the day. I had not been anywhere exotic or eaten anything very good special or felt warm except when practically planted on the wood stove but there was still glorious life all around me, and it was good.

PS Here are what bobcat track’s look like.

PS 2 I will try and list some of the Flower Essences people have been leaning on for Covid Cabin Fever in the next couple of days.  In the meantime, there is always a meander in a hay field when its 4 degrees out with a wind whipping off the north pole.

It’s tough to be human these days but let me tell you, its seriously tough to be a mermaid.

How did eight year old granddaughter Grace and I find this out?

Winters are long, cold and dark in New Hampshire with the emphasis on cold. Grace lives with us, and for that I am eternally grateful because, among other things, she likes crafting as much as I do.  

Much of our after school/ after sledding time together is spent crafting to our heart’s content. However at a certain point in the evening, we need to put down the Elmer’s glue and do something else.  Sometimes we wrangle Grandpa into reading aloud to us.  As a sixth grade teacher, he is practically a professional reader. Grace’s mom also reads aloud wonderfully well.  We love listening to her too.  But sometimes we need to go somewhere warm with different problems than masks or not getting to see cousins and friends right now except from a distance.

How fortunate that we stumbled on a tv show about teenage Mermaids on the gold coast of Australia.

Nothing takes your mind off your problems like learning how challenging it is to have a tail that sprouts whenever you get wet.

Oh the mishaps mermaids have!

The teenage mermaids on this show are hidden in plain sight. Some have always been mermaids and some became mermaids by accident.  They sport legs when they are on dry land, but whenever they get even slightly damp, they have only ten seconds before their tails return. During this ten seconds they either need to get back to the sea or hide from all the humans.

For a mermaid, if

You grab a bottle of water with condensation on the outside? You get a tail.

Someone spills a cup of tea on you? You get a tail.

A hose gets pointed in the wrong direction? You get a tail

Kids on the beach accidently spray you with a squirt gun? You get a tail.

Someone knocks you into a swimming pool? You get a tail.

A rainy day and you forgot your umbrella? You get a tail.

This particular pod of mermaids hangs out at a juice bar- A JUICE BAR! Heaven forbid, because let’s face it, all that juice considerably ups the ante for getting accidently splashed by an errant mango smoothie.

All in all, it’s a tough gig to be a mermaid.

Consider the difficulties of being a mermaid but not having your parents know.

How do you explain to your mom or dad why you can no longer do the dishes?

Or why you can’t help install that new sprinkler system in the yard?

Or how come you run away when the dog shakes himself?

Or why you never go swimming with the family anymore even though you live on the ocean?

Or why you wear gloves when you go fishing?

Or why you won’t go camping on a rainy day?

Or how come you quit your job as a lifeguard?

And what about how weird you act during full moons? I mean, we all know how challenging full moons are for mermaids, but to have to come up with some plausible human reasons for your moon lunacy to your parents?  It’s a serious challenge.

Then there is the issue of your dietary choices. How do you explain the fact that you now eat nothing but seafood? Plus you have to remember that regular humans don’t eat lobster shells. Nor do they crack open oysters with their teeth. Mermaid table manners are very different than human ones.

And when you sing? It’s a dangerous thing because some mermaid songs are siren songs, and they make everyone fall in love with the wrong people. This leads to another whole other arena for mermaid disasters- the world at large.

Out in the world, say at school or at your after school job at the water park, challenges sprout like mushrooms after a storm.

For example, how do you let people know what is wrong with the sick dolphin without telling people you speak dolphin?

And how big of a disaster is it when your ice cream stand breaks down and the ice cream starts melting everywhere?

And what about the other special powers you have like water shape shifting and the ability to freeze or boil water at will? These would seem to be assets, but…… Oh No! These mostly seem to get you in trouble, especially in science class.

These are the kind of pressing problems that mermaids face. They remind me and Grace that it’s not so bad to be human. Though right about now, deep into winter, we might not mind a week or two with a tail, if it meant we were in a juice bar in a warm climate.