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Virtual Chorus post 33

7/24/2020

Chorista Laura Cotterman has recently written a beautiful poem
and also published an article in the online magazine Scoundrel Time.
Both the poem and article chronicle, in Laura's throughtful and nature-connected way, her reflections on the spring we've just gone through. The poem is below Laura's photo. The article is at this link:
When Home Is More Than A House: Learning From Trees And Time.

March 2020 by Laura M Cotterman

First redbud, the pinkest ever
filled a western window
then dogwood clouds in a green mist

On daily walks I thought to myself
I am ready
I can do this

Alone together our cheeks
registered spring’s tenderness--
breaths of air we could not keep

Daily walks left me free
to ruminate on privilege
relish feet on ground, and so

I snapped photos to preserve this spring
whose gorgeous face defied reality--
that thousands can’t breathe

Unfurling fern, Azalea, Bluet and trees
naked ‘til one morning
lambent baby leaves appeared

Birds jabbered, delirious over nests
and always, always
citrine pollen clung to us

We wondered what comes next
after heaven-scented Lily-of-the-valley
and Mayapple rising

I thought I was ready
then found what I’m not ready for
the without-you part

I looked forward but forward meant
you might not be there
here when it’s over if it’s ever over

If I manage to go forward
you might not get there with me
or you— any of you— might go there without me

Still I walk with ache in the bone
for loved ones seen through scrim of screen
heard via wireless waves

Faces and voices I remember
to memorize as pixels pass
through tech’s interface

Virtual Chorus post 32

7/24/2020

Diantha had shoulder surgery this month. Here she describes how she goes about doing her physical therapy three times a day.

Hi Kathleen,
I thought you might appreciate how I go about doing my exercises. I have made a meditation of it. I light a candle, put on some music, and I have representations of my deities lined up in candlelight supporting my work. They offer the big picture, and the bigger picture and the biggest picture, Reminding me that each micro movement I achieve is part of a larger reality. They give me compassion and hope. I do this three times a day. I have never been able to do anything that regularly, much less meditation. It is very good for me.

Virtual Chorus post 31

7/6/2020

Welcoming Back the Pollinators
That is a new wonderful drawing above by
chorista Betty Lou. Here's the link to her
new story that goes with the drawing.
https://earthsanctuaries.net/ceremony-to-welcome-back-the-pollinators/

Covid-19, climate change, racism, environmental injustice and the extinction of biodiversity are all linked. For humans to be healthy the Earth needs to be healthy. Our pollinators are in decline. This Summer Solstice we choose to hope for the health of people and nature by creating a passionate and colorful ceremony to honor our beloved bees and butterflies. We call them home to us and to the flowers to whom they belong.

Here is the link to Betty Lou's new story and many more beautiful nature/spirit writings and photos:
https://earthsanctuaries.net/ceremony-to-welcome-back-the-pollinators/

Betty Lou Chaika
www.earthsanctuaries.net

Virtual Chorus post 30

6/27/2020

Diantha had shoulder surgery yesterday, and she sang the wonderful song below to her medical team!

"I wrote this song a few years ago during back treatment episodes at UNC. When I sang it yesterday to three medical people in my recovery room, one of them--a young man and I don’t remember what his role was--leaned down and grabbed both of my hands together within his and pumped them up and down grinning under his mask. I felt his respect coming through. It was very sweet.
Then they left."

Retrolisthesis
© Diantha Rau

Retrolisthesis, scoliosis
A little arthritis and stenosis
I got a whole lot goin' on
But all it can do is slow me down
Slow is good, I'm just fine
I do what I can and leave the rest behind
What more can anyone do?
I've got limits, how about you?

Virtual Chorus post 29

6/26/2020

Diantha wrote this beautiful
piece recently from the prompt:
"I take myself to a place where..."
Thanks for sharing this with us Diantha!

"I take myself to a place where everything I remember is enfolded in soft cloth and petals of fondness, a place where no harshness of word or deed has scratched at the bone of me, nor demanded of me something I need not give. I dwell in a place where even pain has a place within the fold. There is no other way really, but to flow with the river of all sorrow and all joy, letting even hard memories soften themselves in the cotton embrace of compassion and humility. What am I but a speck of life in the vast ocean of existence? Why not open my heart, letting things in and out as they must do, all the while nurturing myself with a soft acceptance that passes all understanding.

I dwell in a place where daily activities are the holy grail, so grateful am I for Ann, for our life here, for the trees and for this body which, after all, still moves and shakes, walks its mile every day and finds music through the voice and hands.

This is the thing; I have the will and the power to be comfortable in my skin and at peace with what life gives me, and does not give me; what life becomes when I calm my expectations and do what needs to be done… for Ann, for our house, for necessary tasks and for the people I am fortunate to have in my life. My spirit calls on three sanghas here, and I can give back.

Yes, simple really. All things can be a choice. Reaction, purpose, internal process. I am lucky to be old. Memories can easily become teachers and all present things speak to a short enough future that choices become simpler every day. I choose peace.

I take myself to a place where I feel at home no matter what." Diantha Rau

Virtual Chorus post 28

5/29/2020

I just finished my scrap quilt which I've been working on since
March 11 or so. It has seemed fitting somehow to dig out all the crumpled small scraps from past projects and to use this enforced solitary time to meditate at my sewing machine while I reflect on where I've been and what has happened during this time. The world teaches us that all the small pieces are useful and together they make a beautiful whole even if we can't see it. We are stitched together and we are beautiful and connected. Love, Jane Price

Virtual Chorus post 27

5/28/2020

I heard about a project called PPE Portraits, where medical professionals interacting with patients during the Ebola epidemic, and now during Covid 19, wear pictures of themselves smiling, since patients can't see their faces when they are wearing masks. Studies, not surprisingly, have shown better outcomes for patients whose doctors and nurses wear these portraits. Here are links to info about that project https://med.stanford.edu/pcph/research/ppe-project.html
http://www.ppepor

I thought it might cheer me up and possibly others, if I wore a photo like that when I'm wearing a mask. So I have made myself a PPE Portrait and have worn it out once so far, to Weaver Street. People smiled, laughed and waved at me, so I will be wearing it more I'm sure! I plan on laminating one of them, so I can just wash it when I get home. I did buy some sticky label paper, since that is what the PPE medical people use, so they'll have a disposable portrait. But the sheets I bought were nearly impossible to separate from the sticky side. So I just pinned mine on! Here's a picture of me wearing my PPE portrait to go to town. Love, Kathleen

P.S. The portrait does show up a little better
in person than it does in this picture.

Virtual Chorus post 26

5/28/2020

Becky took this wonderful picture on her trip to Patagonia, Chile.

Virtual Chorus post 25

5/28/2020

Lisa has been buiilding an outdoor Catio for her three cats. These pictures are of the first stage. She writes: "Hopefully I will be making some progress on it so there will be some before and after pictures.
I want to add their tunnels and a tree limb for scratching
and climbing. They need to get some exercise and movement
from the catio as well as sun, air, entertainment and relaxation.
The same things we are all looking for in life!"

That is Olive above, rather extroverted. Her brother Baby Boy and sister Sweetness were in Lisa's cabin. They are more on the shy side.
Olive really loves to eat grass!

Below is the ramp from Lisa's door to the Catio foyer.

Here's Olive getting some excercise!

And here's Olive, Queen of the Catio, on her throne.

I look forward to seeing all three kitties playing in the catio!
Thanks for the tour Lisa and Olive!

Virtual Chorus post 24

5/4/2020

Lois Hill, a chorista and dear friend who lives in Maine, sent this beautiful spring collage. Some of you have seen Lois's work in the past, as her work was on the cover of my Count My Heart CD.
Here is that light filled heart!

Thank you Lois!