Monday, January 14, 2008

Companion

7 comments:

Shelli said...

What a sweet photo.

Changes in the wind said...

A reach out and touch him photo...great job

Richard said...

Great close up of the Pine Squirrel. Don't you just love the eye shadow.

Anonymous said...

very nice photo! we have this guys cousins, Douglas Squirrels, just as pretty with orange tummys.

Fran aka Redondowriter said...

Yes, we have big squirrels here who hike up the palm trees at lightning speed, especially when I'm walking Cookie. How do you get so close without spooking the animal, or do you have a big telephoto lens?

Anonymous said...

Great photo, cute critter!

Anonymous said...

I have enjoyed the beautiful words and images in you blog for many weeks now. I'm so sorry to hear you've been sick with a virus. Your regime of ginseng and rose hip tea sound like a good plan.
I think your deep emotional trauma over Katie, her fate, and what was done to her may have something to do with being susceptible to a virus at this time. Animals are wonderful companions and good humans can form bonds of compassion in an instant, even with a creature we haven't met.
Sadly, some humans are born with damaged or malformed emotional centers. All through their lives they will spread sorrow and pain through hurtful deeds. Deeds that seem to grow worse with each year of their lives. We call such emotionally deformed humans "evil", for we have no other word. Sometimes even good and whole people can be swept up in a wave of madness for a time, wreaking havoc and doing things they would never believe possible and will regret all their lives. Crowds, especially, are prone to such madness.
Finding compassion for twisted humans can be very difficult. Almost impossible, when one is faced with the effects of their horrible efforts. We cannot help but have a welling-up of horror and terror and other ugly feelings. In the immediate moment, this all-too-natural reaction takes up room in our heart. Then our heart tries to heal over, but the shock and ickiness are still inside, trapped. Unless we can release this illness we have taken in by osmosis, we will sicken.
We have to try to find a way to open that sick place in our hearts and let out all those bad feelings. That place where the residue of shock and revulsion still live. We need to lance that boil and let the ickiness seep out. Sadly, we cannot heal the deformed hearts of our twisted fellow humans. And we cannot always heal and make right the results of their evil handiwork. This world is not a perfect place. But until we can let go of the horror that has set up shop in our own hearts, we will not have the strenght to take care of those who really are in our direct care. Those who rely on us and no other. We must let go of the shock and bitterness to be strong enough to care for them, and ourselves.
You care so beautifully for Cassie. You gave special thoughts and kind actions to all the woodland inhabitants at Solstice time. You send such beautiful words and images into the world through your blog. I'm sure all your friends feel the warmth of your caring throughout the year. Be well, please, and heal your heart from taking in the pain of Katie's dire situation. Letting go of that pain, little by little, whenever you can will free your heart to continue pouring serenity and beauty out into your world. To be soaked up by the rest of us. A little way of balancing up. Be well!