right now

Quietly listening to the Chuck-wills-widow before the first rays of light penetrate the slumber of the other feathered ones. Change is here, yet I feel as if I am the rock in the middle of the bubbling stream. Not stuck, just patiently waiting, feeling the surge of energy gush past. Last week, I did hear my heart pitter-patter a bit faster with the knowledge that I am moving in a month. There is still much to do, so I have not allowed myself much more time to dream of my new job. I had already done much brainstorming before the interview. There will be time enough in June.

There has been packing, cleaning and purging - I am almost down to two boxes of books! There has been money making with said purged items at a yard sale. There has been intention setting - positivity, joy, and resonance. I am on week two of an e-course, Inspiring Leadership through Emotional Intelligence, and am loving it. There has been manifesting of abundance to come into my life and letting go to open up space. There has been goal setting - moving to Italy in five years! 

One of the hardest tasks will be saying good-bye to the junior naturalists, as I have been a mentor to many of them for over four years now. Possibly my favorite responsibility this life has been to guide them, listen to their stories, watch as they grew to be leaders, naturalists, and responsible citizens of the earth. They are truly caring, kind, and confident individuals. Let me tell you, writing notes to each of them is an almost impossible task. 

I am constantly amazed by this life and how we grow - giving little pieces of ourselves and receiving little pieces of others along the way. If even for a bright, shining moment you have crossed paths, it is all for the betterment of the Universe. 

Today, I continue on the cleaning and packing path basking in the sunshine and listening to the abundance of water seep down into the earth.

happy beltane

Ah, the loveliness of the first of May! A happy Beltane, friends!

Yes, I am back. A bit of a reprieve from blogging and other things. It's when life gets you in a whirlwind, spins you around and around. Then you fall down dizzy, but so very happy, on the soft grass staring up at the clouds with a goofy grin on your face.

I can't tell you how much I am about to burst with happiness. I was not going to say anything for professionalism's sake, but you know what, it is my right to tell who I want. It is my happy news!

Last Monday I was offered a job in Youngstown, Ohio. I am headed to the Fellows Riverside Gardens in June to be their Horticulture Education Manager! Everything about this position felt right from the start and it all happened within 20 days. My vacation was not quite a vacation, as I had three interviews in three days. The second interview was at the gardens and lasted for three hours. When something is right, the Universe presents it in such a wonderful way! The people are wonderful. The facility is gorgeous. And it is just the right amount of distance from home.

I know that my lesson in patience was making me wait for this position. I can say, yes this has been worth the wait. I get to teach about plants! PLANTS!! I get to wear dresses. I am going to live in an area that has a population greater than 50,000. I can get back into walking everyday without the threat of being run over. Of course, I will miss my window looking out on the water and waking to Red-eyed Vireos. I will miss the people. There are always trade-offs. This is where my path is taking me next.

We are not meant to be stagnant. I don't believe in being a creature of habit. Change is necessary. Impermanence is a law of the Universe. (Thank goodness!)

I hope that you, too, are delighted in this beautiful and abundant day!

we all need a bit of random

I find this photograph to be the one of most brilliant of any other I have taken. Can one be in love with a picture? Perhaps it is the memory that evokes the emotion. Glancing down during my walk to work on Monday and delighting in the Bloodroot that had simply been buds on Thursday were now blooming. Getting down and up close to watch the light play on their delicate petals. Feeling a tremendous wonder at how this plant benefits this world in a variety of ways, truly living at a higher vibration. 

Action is happening. Change is approaching. An Aries moon. Something incredible is in the works, however I cannot say until I know for sure. You know how it goes - no burning bridges. Keep things close to the chest, just in case. Though, I have to tell you when things are meant to be, the Universe lines it up. And quickly.

I was told on Saturday that I need a fling. A guy was selected, one from trivia that I had been eyeing of late. Then the crazy to hysterical pick-up lines were brought forth. Included were card tricks, me pretending to trip and falling into his arms, and the direct approach, "I think you're cute, let's go out." Alas, it was all for naught, as Tuesday evening I noticed the ring. It was a nice and fleeting thought. More fun was had by playing out the scenarios then the actuality. 

Does anyone else peruse Urban Dictionary? I occasionally glance at it for fun and take a roll of the die. You know that there are definitions for proper names on there. Mandys' are apparently intelligent, kick people's butts, and great friends. Yesterday, I learned a new word - boytox. Apparently, instead of being single, you could just be going through a boytox.

Boytox: when a woman gives up dating/cavorting with the opposite sex for a temporary period in an attempt to enhance her overall well-being, including her mental health and physical appearance. As a result, she may glow or look younger from lack of frowning and crying as if she had a Botox injection.

I am pretty sure that I do not look like I have had a Botox injection, but I certainly have not cried as much in the past year as I had during my previous relationship. There you go.

The weekend with its blooming of flowers prompted a revitalization of my interest in flower essences. It was Dr. Edward Bach who developed flower remedies by using the positive vibrations of the plants to cast out negativity in the body. I have made two, neither of which are Bach's original plants. I choose Spring Beauty and Apple blossoms, both of which exemplify spring, beauty, and renewal. I figure if a flower speaks to you in a positive way, go for it!

After a few days of unpleasant heat (hello, Climate Change) where I thought I was going to combust, a cold front has found its way here. The peepers are calling, they too feel the breezes that will bring the sweet nourishing rain. It is with a happy heart and mind that I look forward to getting deep within the northern forest and cool down a bit in a few days.