Summer Evening Walk – Where Do Dragonflies Come From?

Aug 31st, 2010

Tonight there were at least 1,000 dragonflies on the levee – a sure sign of summer.  The hotter it gets, the more of them I see.  I’d never seen so many before, though.  Maybe it’s their last hoorah before the end of summer.  It occurred to me that I don’t know much about the life cycle of dragonflies.  How long do they live, what do they eat, how do they reproduce?  Where are they all going to go once it gets cold?  Do they just die and resurface next summer? 

I’m a city person – love nature – but don’t really know that much about the specifics.  I really appreciate the flora and the fauna and study it when I get curious – like now.  I see a Google search in my near future.  And the future is now.

I had no idea dragonflies started out in the water – and kind of ugly at that.  But fascinating.  Now to find out where they go before they die … to start the life cycle over again…..

Are there any insect experts out there who can add to the description provided in this short video?  Click the comment link below.

If you cannot see the video below, your work place is blocking it—I hope you can watch it at home or convince IT to allow this feature (a long shot but worth a try).  Once you click the arrow to watch, you will need to click the link to watch it on youtube – but it’s worth it.

Nighthawks on the Kansas Levee

Jul 20th, 2010

The other evening while walking on the Kansas levee with Toby, I watched the nighthawks dive bombing for insects. Their wings look like boomerangs.  So when I got home that night, I did a google.com image search to find a picture to see if I was right to call them nighthawks.   My search brought me to a little audio lesson (a few seconds) that tells about the bird and its song.  Here ‘tis:  http://www.birdnote.org/birdnote.cfm?id=198  (click to play the MP3).  Note, the bird is really not a hawk but in the whippoorwill family.

What’s the tie-in with wellness?  Nature.  When we have a strong connection with nature, life is more interesting.  In fact, I drove home from the dentist in torrential rain just now.  Lightning all around me.  My wipers couldn’t keep up.  After a quick prayer of safety for everyone traveling, I anticipated coming home and throwing open my front and back doors so the energy of the storm could move through my home.  Love it!  The temperature dropped 20 degrees or more – a welcome respite from the scorching heat. 

The wind was so fierce the rain blew in both the front and back doors.  So I propped my heavy umbrella in the doorway to keep the rain from the hard wood floors (mostly).  I can think of nothing more relaxing than sitting in my oversized chair enjoying the surround sound of rain and thunder. 

Without a connection to nature we’re more likely to be afraid of bugs and stay cooped up inside our cars, homes, and office buildings.  And if we really lose sight of the benefits of nature, we may start to trash the landscape and use up more than our share of the natural resources.  Without a regular dose of nature, we’re more likely to feel stressed.  Spending time in nature has a dramatic calmative effect.

As I started this description about why it’s important to  have a connection with nature, a loud clap of lightening enlivened me (read: startled me).  What a great way to revive one’s energy.  I was getting a little sleepy on the drive home….until the rain hit.  Now I’m alive, alert, awake, enthusiastic – just like the Girl Scout song says.  I found several renditions of this song on youtube – from many different cultures.  I thought I was the only one who thinks that song is cool!  And fun!

How does nature impact your wellness?  Share at the comment link below.

Secret to Reduce Your Stress Level

Jun 8th, 2010

Any cleansing cleansing program can be amplified by a cleansing of negative thoughts and feelings. Angry or stressful thoughts can wreak havoc on our health and well-being. The Loving Kindness Meditation as taught by Buddha has been practiced for decades to great effect. Try it for a few days and watch how it works in your life to bring peace and calm.

Close your eyes and imagine people you love (or just one person) as you mentally recite these words (slowly):

Breathing in, I breathe in the world’s pain.

Breathing out, I send it healing love.

May all beings be happy.

May all beings be peaceful.

May all beings be kind.

May all beings be free.

Next, visualize people (or a person) you do not know well – a neutral person (e.g., check out clerk, someone you see in your building) and recite these words slowly again:

Breathing in, I breathe in the world’s pain.

Breathing out, I send it healing love.

May all beings be happy.

May all beings be peaceful.

May all beings be kind.

May all beings be free.

Finally, visualize someone in your life who you feel is difficult to be around or someone you are having conflict with. Repeat the following words with this person in mind:

Breathing in, I breathe in the world’s pain.

Breathing out, I send it healing love.

May all beings be happy.

May all beings be peaceful.

May all beings be kind.

May all beings be free.

Let us know how this stress reduction practice works for you. Do you practice other stress reduction exercises?

Tornado Aftermath

Apr 26th, 2009

I’m glad I went to the basement during yesterday’s tornado warning.  I noticed the flag was half mast this morning so I went online to check the news in the local paper.  One man from here died in that storm and there was considerable damage in some areas.

It was quite a storm.  Here are some amazing photos captured by individuals out and about.  And here are some more. We think we’re powerful, but we our power pales by comparison to nature.

Flower Power – Vitamin F

Oct 25th, 2008

30-Day Self-Care Challenge (Part III) Day 25

I enjoy making bouquets all year long.  I love big, tall bouquets and short, tiny ones.  The best bouquets are made up of flowers either from my yard or from my walks in nature.  Next best are the $3 bundles from Aldi’s. 

I used to get frustrated when roses wouldn’t open…their heads closed and drooping.  Then I asked a florist how to avoid this disappointment.  She said to select roses that are not tightly closed.  Look for roses that are partially open.  Bingo!  Now I can get the $3 bouquets of roses from Aldi’s that provide several days of joy, without the droopy disappointment.  I bought two bundles today and they’re opening nicely.

If you’re a fan of Feng Shui, you’ll enjoy this little video.  I found it fascinating.  I agree that flowers boost our mood and sense of well-being.

30-Day Self-Care Challenge – Day 5

Aug 5th, 2008

Since I’ve gotten a dog (Toby), I walk more.  Don’t get me wrong–I walk plenty.  But now that I have a dog again, I’m walk him twice a day–the miles can really add up. 

It’s fun walking along the Kansas river (Kaw) looking at wildlife.  The other day I saw two red fox.  This morning I saw three blue herons fishing in the river.  And tonight when I got home, a big fat toad was waiting for us on the deck.  Toby didn’t even notice it!

Walking is a fabulous way to stay strong and lean.  It’s also a great way to destress.  And if you feel tired, a short walk will energize you. 

Have you heard the one about the fat dog?

If your dog is fat, you’re not getting enough exercise.

Dogs need exercise too to maintain their health and a healthy weight.  If you have a dog but aren’t walking it much, why not start this new routine?  Put the leash by the door and at a specified time, just head out the door.  If your dog pulls on the leash or is difficult to walk for any other reason, consider taking a dog obedience class–it’s the smartest thing I ever did as a pet owner. 

Any walkers out there?  Anybody walk their dog?