Not about birds (though I do so appreciate when Merlin tells me whom neighbors are), but about the postlude in the church where I regularly worship and sometimes officiate - most of the congregation starts in with the conversation during the postlude. At first I was distressed (I love to listen to the organist), but then I began to see this moment in time as an affirmation that, in the busy-ness of human life, there is an undercurrent of the sacred, unapprehended perhaps, but still present. I like the story of the river (canal) only heard in the otherwise still night....
How about the brave Chick a dee dee, love the way they dip when they fly. Had to take in bird feeder even earlier this year, the black bears are back visiting our neighborhood.
As I listened to the podcast (still not quite finished yet), I kept thinking of one of my favorite U2 lyrics from their song "13 (There is a Light)". It asks, "Are you tough enough to be kind?"
That question rings in my heart about how it is so much easier to be hard and cruel and mean but it is much harder to be kind, tender, open, and caring.
Thank you for the joyfully pleasant reminder of multiple familiar bird calls, particularly while in a city hospital. Inspiration to return to natural surroundings.
There is an app called “Merlin” created by Cornell School of Ornithology. It’s great fun AND it’s free. There are many bird calls in the city as well, and sometimes surprising ones!
Beautiful! Thank you Jeff. I love so many of the images here. “Iridescent hues” “feathers fluffed” “wild wings spread to soar” and yes…..”to break the bond to thei earth and soar as my heart soars.” Lovely my friend.
I recently got the Cornell bird identifier app "Merlin" and turn it on every morning while walking my dog. I have been amazed at the variety of birds, from Carolina wren to tufted titmouse and wood thrush. Just like you Carrie, what was once just a background noise has now become a delight as I try to identify each song or chirp here in Virginia.
I was filling my hummingbird feeder yesterday, and as I rehung it , a bird visited it. I was very still and absolutely amazed by the wind it's little wings produced, to keep it hovering above the nectar and as I was still it wasn't even worried about me. I believe they realized I brought the nectar and was a friend. ☮️🐧
I’m also so amazed by hummingbirds….how they hover and sip from the feeders and flowers. And then, is a whirl of speed are gone. Sounds like a lovely friendship to me. :-)
Hmm…a River one can only hear in the wee, quiet hours of the morning. I want to chew and chew and chew on this one….because….I live on a corner in the city where lawn mowers, leaf blowers, intestate traffic, sirens, a bountiful supply of dogs who just love being dogs and garbage trucks and so many other loud noises penetrate my want of silence.
I mentioned it to a friend one day and she said, “Oh, that doesn’t bother be at all.” ( Aren’t you lucky, I thought) “To me,” she continued, “it is the sound of life. It is the sound of everyone doing what they do. All those people doing what they do are just as precious as we are.”
I was humbled. I want to work on hearing the river, hearing the birds, hearing the wind that is always hidden in the cacophony, if I will but be still in my own heart and bless those who never intend to interrupt.
I’m so glad you posted this reflection. Yes, there are times when all the sounds of human activity can be so beautiful. I remember walking by busy park with swing sets, slides and other children’s outdoor equipment. I had to stop and just close my eyes and smile, drinking in the sounds of kids laughing and playing. I remember when I was a child myself drifting off to sleep and feeling comforted by the sounds of adults talking quietly in the kitchen. Not all human activity is clatter - there can be such vibrancy and movement and aliveness in the sounds we make together. But I also found Dr. Thurman’s story a beautiful reminder. You can take it literally as an encouragement listen to the sounds we sometimes miss (birdsong, water, what is whispered and not shouted. But also it can also be taken metaphorically…asking myself “What might happen if I listened a little more closely to the deeper well springs of my life, what might I find when I quiet my heart and spirit, what has been waiting for me to give it a little space and attention?
Your description of bird calls reminded me of an album I bought in the 80's - Joe Weed - "Waltz of the Whippoorwill" He recorded bird calls and turned them into some very nice instrumental acoustic tunes. It can be found (full album) on Youtube. It's also beautifully recorded.
First, a bit of synchronicity, I searched Carrie Newcomer music on YouTube last night before sleeping, and Every Little Bit of It came up first. Then, this morning, I noticed it appears you included a photo in the video of a blue wall and a window with light coming in. I remember when you first posted that photo on Facebook, I believe you took it somewhere out west. It was the most peaceful photo I’ve ever seen.
Thank you Jeff, it was a photo I took in a historic adobe church in New Mexico. I was going to be performing a concert that evening in the space, but when I arrived early I just sat for a long while enjoying to peacefulness of the space. The light coming through the window was very moving and felt like a reminder of something always glowing at the heart of things, as I recall. So it ended up in the video. :-)
Yesterday evening just before sunset I walked a familiar path near my house. I noticed the green growing of an unmown yard I walk by so often, tiny flowers and plants growing between cracks in the sidewalk and spaces of a fence, the last light of day shining on my face as I walked uphill. A voice in my heart said, “I believe, I believe,” in time with the rhythm of my steps, the rhythm of my breath; I believe what I see and what I cannot see, what I name and what I cannot name. Thank you, Carrie, for your thoughts and music and pictures!
I didn't know you were a mystic.
Anthony
Not about birds (though I do so appreciate when Merlin tells me whom neighbors are), but about the postlude in the church where I regularly worship and sometimes officiate - most of the congregation starts in with the conversation during the postlude. At first I was distressed (I love to listen to the organist), but then I began to see this moment in time as an affirmation that, in the busy-ness of human life, there is an undercurrent of the sacred, unapprehended perhaps, but still present. I like the story of the river (canal) only heard in the otherwise still night....
*Who my neighbors are...
How about the brave Chick a dee dee, love the way they dip when they fly. Had to take in bird feeder even earlier this year, the black bears are back visiting our neighborhood.
As I listened to the podcast (still not quite finished yet), I kept thinking of one of my favorite U2 lyrics from their song "13 (There is a Light)". It asks, "Are you tough enough to be kind?"
That question rings in my heart about how it is so much easier to be hard and cruel and mean but it is much harder to be kind, tender, open, and caring.
Thanks for reminding me! I need to cut some scapes and green onions!
Thank you for the joyfully pleasant reminder of multiple familiar bird calls, particularly while in a city hospital. Inspiration to return to natural surroundings.
There is an app called “Merlin” created by Cornell School of Ornithology. It’s great fun AND it’s free. There are many bird calls in the city as well, and sometimes surprising ones!
A quiet morning, riding a ferry boat on the Puget sound. Seen more than heard.
Birds.
Why do they Fly?
Birds are seen almost everywhere
Flapping their wings, gliding, flying with purpose
Soaring lazily on the wind
Are they seeking food?
Are they seeking Love?
Are they looking for a new home?
Up so early in the day, singing joyfully
While they beat the air with strong wings
Does the wind inspire them to new heights?
Where will they sing tomorrow?
Will they be here, will they be miles away?
Huge birds with wide wings
Tiny birds with pointed beaks
Color our world with joyful noise and iridescent hues
Feathers fluffed against a cold wind
Wide wings spread to soar on that same wind
To live free, to fly free
To break the bond to this earth to soar as my heart soars
While I watch The Eagle
Master of the wind
https://jeffastle.substack.com/publish/home
Beautiful! Thank you Jeff. I love so many of the images here. “Iridescent hues” “feathers fluffed” “wild wings spread to soar” and yes…..”to break the bond to thei earth and soar as my heart soars.” Lovely my friend.
I recently got the Cornell bird identifier app "Merlin" and turn it on every morning while walking my dog. I have been amazed at the variety of birds, from Carolina wren to tufted titmouse and wood thrush. Just like you Carrie, what was once just a background noise has now become a delight as I try to identify each song or chirp here in Virginia.
I LOVE the Cornell app “Merlin” ! It’s really helped me expand my learning and it’s fun and also free. Thanks for mentioning it.
I was filling my hummingbird feeder yesterday, and as I rehung it , a bird visited it. I was very still and absolutely amazed by the wind it's little wings produced, to keep it hovering above the nectar and as I was still it wasn't even worried about me. I believe they realized I brought the nectar and was a friend. ☮️🐧
I’m also so amazed by hummingbirds….how they hover and sip from the feeders and flowers. And then, is a whirl of speed are gone. Sounds like a lovely friendship to me. :-)
Thanks Carrie
I have a cockatiel, and an albino parakeet also. I've always been amazed how they like humans have quirks, personalities etc . ☮️🐧
Hmm…a River one can only hear in the wee, quiet hours of the morning. I want to chew and chew and chew on this one….because….I live on a corner in the city where lawn mowers, leaf blowers, intestate traffic, sirens, a bountiful supply of dogs who just love being dogs and garbage trucks and so many other loud noises penetrate my want of silence.
I mentioned it to a friend one day and she said, “Oh, that doesn’t bother be at all.” ( Aren’t you lucky, I thought) “To me,” she continued, “it is the sound of life. It is the sound of everyone doing what they do. All those people doing what they do are just as precious as we are.”
I was humbled. I want to work on hearing the river, hearing the birds, hearing the wind that is always hidden in the cacophony, if I will but be still in my own heart and bless those who never intend to interrupt.
I’m so glad you posted this reflection. Yes, there are times when all the sounds of human activity can be so beautiful. I remember walking by busy park with swing sets, slides and other children’s outdoor equipment. I had to stop and just close my eyes and smile, drinking in the sounds of kids laughing and playing. I remember when I was a child myself drifting off to sleep and feeling comforted by the sounds of adults talking quietly in the kitchen. Not all human activity is clatter - there can be such vibrancy and movement and aliveness in the sounds we make together. But I also found Dr. Thurman’s story a beautiful reminder. You can take it literally as an encouragement listen to the sounds we sometimes miss (birdsong, water, what is whispered and not shouted. But also it can also be taken metaphorically…asking myself “What might happen if I listened a little more closely to the deeper well springs of my life, what might I find when I quiet my heart and spirit, what has been waiting for me to give it a little space and attention?
A big sigh… Yes and Amen
Birds
Friends With Bright Songs
I Almost Did Not Hear Them
But they would not refuse
Lovely poem my friend. Yes….isnt it wonderful when birds or something sacred and beautiful tugs on our sleeves until we notice :-)
Your description of bird calls reminded me of an album I bought in the 80's - Joe Weed - "Waltz of the Whippoorwill" He recorded bird calls and turned them into some very nice instrumental acoustic tunes. It can be found (full album) on Youtube. It's also beautifully recorded.
I’ll definitely check it out! I’ve written one song based on the feel of the woodthrush call…but it was never recorded.
First, a bit of synchronicity, I searched Carrie Newcomer music on YouTube last night before sleeping, and Every Little Bit of It came up first. Then, this morning, I noticed it appears you included a photo in the video of a blue wall and a window with light coming in. I remember when you first posted that photo on Facebook, I believe you took it somewhere out west. It was the most peaceful photo I’ve ever seen.
Thank you Jeff, it was a photo I took in a historic adobe church in New Mexico. I was going to be performing a concert that evening in the space, but when I arrived early I just sat for a long while enjoying to peacefulness of the space. The light coming through the window was very moving and felt like a reminder of something always glowing at the heart of things, as I recall. So it ended up in the video. :-)
It would make a lovely print or poetry book cover. : )
Yesterday evening just before sunset I walked a familiar path near my house. I noticed the green growing of an unmown yard I walk by so often, tiny flowers and plants growing between cracks in the sidewalk and spaces of a fence, the last light of day shining on my face as I walked uphill. A voice in my heart said, “I believe, I believe,” in time with the rhythm of my steps, the rhythm of my breath; I believe what I see and what I cannot see, what I name and what I cannot name. Thank you, Carrie, for your thoughts and music and pictures!
Lovely…so beautiful.
Yes! Beautiful♥️
Thank you for the Sunday message. If you're available at 9:00 or 11:00 this morning, please watch:
fcchurch.com
We're performing, The World Beloved: A Blue Grass Mass
Beautiful reflections. so many interesting ways to process these thoughts.
Thank you, Carrie .