PATH WAYS

A recent photo I posted on Heart By Nature's Facebook page got me thinking about paths...both the real and metaphorical kind.  The description of the photo was,

 
"Prairie Pond Woods has paths for all sorts of thinking, praying,
meditating, singing, observing, skipping, drawing, closing your eyes and
filling your senses or just pausing to consider all you have to be
thankful for." 





It's true.  There are paths that circle around the prairie, paths that lead to Adirondack chairs in the woods, a path that leads down to the pond and one that connects Kavanah to a swing in the Pine Sanctuary.  On a good day, when the temperature is right and the pace is slow and full of observations and discoveries, it can take over 2 hours to walk this Refresher Course. But even longer if you take the time to sit and contemplate the personal "paths" you are currently on in life, how you got there or where you might want to go instead.

There are many references to paths in sacred texts and the writings of great men and women.  Jesus refers to the "narrow path" that his followers need to choose, and equates our hearts with "the path" on which God sows the seeds of the Kingdom.  Robert Frost, by his poetic example, encourages us to follow the "path or road less traveled."  And of course who can forget the many lessons learned on the "yellow brick road" (which eventually turned into just a path).

All of us are on a course...some kind of "path" that we  either consciously chose or perhaps ventured down while we weren't really paying attention.  Or maybe we are on a chosen path but still not really paying attention...not being intentional or grateful or joyful or filling it with the creative energy we are capable of. There's always time for course corrections and as the T-shirt slogan reminds us:

 

"Not All Who Wander (down unknown paths) are Lost." 

Recently, I hosted a woman, an artist, who came to Prairie Pond Woods for a
personal retreat.  She was on a path of busyness, but had the great
wisdom to detour down another path of solitude and rest.  More than once she commented to me during her retreat how just walking outside in silence cleared her mind and created a receptive spirit within her.  With her permission, I'm sharing the email she sent when she returned home, in hopes that her experience might be of inspiration to other artists...or moms, or students, or other average folks like you and me. 

"Just want to let you
know how much I loved being at Prairie Pond Woods--it was a
wonderful escape from the busyness that my everyday life brings!
It was lovely spending time with you as well, thank you for the
guided tour of the Refresher Course, I very much enjoyed
learning about the nature and terrain on the property. And the
extra special bonus was getting to know you...thank you for
listening and bearing witness to my new discoveries of myself
and nature! "


"Prairie Pond Woods is a very special place. The time I spent
there has inspired my creativity and reinvigorated my desire to
get back into the ceramic studio. I've long known that spending
time outside in quiet settings refills my well of positive
energy but the retreat you've created enhanced that process in
so many ways. My favorite spot, as you know, was the Kavanah! I
loved bringing my art journal, supplies and books up there and
spending the day doing whatever my heart desired."



"Thank you so very much for an amazing couple of days! I will be
back again when my well runs dry!"

Lisa
www.lisawolters.com

To schedule a personal retreat contact Cindy Steffen at 937-532-6688 or cindy@heartbynature.com

FIREFLIES!

Over the years when leading hikes, I would often get many of the same questions about nature.  Two of the most common came after explaining some aspect of ecology; how this plant needs that bug for pollination or how wetlands are needed to sustain a multitude of species. Suddenly a light bulb would come on about this web-of-life concept and someone would blurt out, "Well then, what good are mosquitoes?" This, usually after too long swiping them from their face. Or someone else would ask, "So, what is the point of poison ivy?"  I actually loved it when these questions would come up, even if some folks thought they were being clever. It gave me the opportunity to continue to expand of the interconnectedness of things...things they could relate to.

So, I would explain the importance of mosquitoes at the low end of the food chain for aquatic life, bats, birds, etc. The poison ivy question was a good stepping off point into the area of how anthropocentric we can be...something can't be good if it is not good for humans. But poison ivy berries are delicacies for some birds (not to be too anthropomorphic about it :), and one of the first foods birds consume in late summer. I would always recommend that if people had poison ivy on their property, and it wasn't in a place where others could get in to it, they should leave it for the birds. Not many takers on that one, though.  

I've also led a few night hikes, mostly full moon hikes or took kids out to hear owls, spark Lifesavers in our mouths in complete darkness and watch fireflies. I don't think I've ever had anyone ask, "What good is a firefly?"  But it is a really good question.

The larvae of fireflies, sometimes called "glow worms," do feed on worms and snails...but adults merely feed on each other...or maybe nothing at all.  Scientists are not quite sure.  And adults, like the Monarch butterfly, have an unpleasant taste they produce if attacked, which comes from drops of blood.  Consequently, they have few predators, and are not really part of the food chain, per se.  

As a someone who dwells in both the worlds of science and faith, I love it when every now and then something is unexplainable, except that it is a gift of sheer beauty and wonder.  If someone were to ask me what fireflies are good for, I would have to say I don't know. I just know that when I see the first ones in summer I am thrilled - transported back to some of the fondest memories of my childhood.  And in the middle of summer, standing on the deck at Prairie Pond Woods, looking out over the prairie, I am dazzled. Someday, an entomologist may discover their ecological purpose, but until then I am content to leave the question unanswered...and just watch. 

I hope you will take a minute or two this long weekend to look for "lightening bugs" in your backyard or at a park. They are fascinating and complex creatures...and becoming harder and harder to find. To learn more click here.

SUMMER RETREAT

ECOntemplation
July 20-21, 2012

Creative and spiritual discoveries in journal writing, collaging, art and
contemplation in the new re-purposed shed, Kavanah, or on the Prayer Path

"What is going on in your innermost being

is worthy of your whole love"
 

-Ranier Maria Rilke    

As many of you know through the Facebook naming contest, we recently re-purposed an old shed on the property of Prairie Pond Woods. The new
name, Kavanah , means "the focus, intent and direction of the heart."  Our
hope is that as you sit in quietness, listening to the birds and
watching the butterflies on milkweed, your heart might be stilled enough
to pay attention to your innermost being and hear the voice of the
Spirit speak to you personally.  Perhaps God might even "re-purpose" your life there.


During this Summer Retreat, there will be plenty of time to experience solitude at Kavanah...or the swing in the Pine Sanctuary...or the Adirondacks in the Woodland Cathedral.  Participants are encouraged to bring a journal
for writing down thoughts, prayers or drawings from prompts that will
be given. We'll spend a few hours doing collage...a great way to have
fun, relax and perhaps discover something new within your soul.  An
easel will also be set up in Kavanah for some fun group artistic expression!

So, gather some of your dearest friends and take a
road trip this summer to southern Ohio.  As it is written in the guest
book over and over..."I never knew how much I needed this until I got here."     

Note
that there are two options for this retreat - a One-day and an Overnight.
Friday evening will be a casual time to unwind with fellowship under the
stars, a creative activity and simple snacks. We may even venture out for a
night hike...

Contact cindy@heartbynature.com for more info or to register
as an individual or group.

One-day - Saturday 10 am - 5 pm -$45.00 pp (5 max)
Overnight- Friday 7pm - Saturday 4/5pm-$75.00 pp (5 max)
Registration limited to 10
Deposit Deadline:July 4th (easy to remember!)

GRAY PETALTAIL DRAGONFLY

As I was approaching a nest box that I knew had chickadee eggs in it, this large dragonfly flew past my face and landed right underneath the box. I had been trying to photograph the juvenile phoebe that had JUST fledged, so fortunately I had my camera with me.  

My first guess after looking at a field guide was a gray petaltail (Tachopteryx thoreyi) but I had some doubts due to the patterning.  After posting it on Facebook, Adams Co. naturalist, John Howard confirmed the best guess.  My confusion about the patterning is due to this being a teneral dragonfly, meaning it had recently emerged from its shell or exuvia.  This is a first species for me at Prairie Pond Woods!

Gray Petaltails are rather uncommon, found in only 18 out of 88 Ohio counties, as their preferred habitats are seeps found in woodlands.  No more than 50 feet from where it landed is a spring source, or seep, at the edge of both the woods and the prairie. Perfect habitat, I'd say.  And there is plenty of mud and leaf litter there for the larvae, which  don't require total submersion in water like most larvae. I just planted some swamp milkweed, iris versicolor, marsh marigold and lobelia down there, so I'll be keeping my eye on the area.  I hope to see this beautiful dragonfly in its mature coloration soon.



 

SORA

The sora made such a fool of itself

Flapping up from the cattails and

Staggering in front of me, like a drunk,

Across the boardwalk.



In an instant, it sliced through tall reeds,

vanishing in the swallow of the marsh,

a wake of bright green confetti

closing up behind it.  



First amused, then caught in the curiosity

like an adolescent boy- wanting just to look -

I yearn, yet feel only the alienation.



In the mystery of this ancient exchange,

to hear the pitch of unfamiliar calls,

smell air’s perfume, touch earth’s moist skin,

we offer our willing senses.



All that ever shouts or whispers back, is fear.



Cindy Steffen 

THOUGHT-FUL-NESS

This past Saturday I received two Mother's Day sentiments...one in a card and one via a Facebook message.  Now, I don't have children, never had children, never will have children, so both of these came as quite a surprise, and I was quite touched by them.  

I don't think what my husband and I have done over the years is that remarkable...reaching out to or taking in a friend's child on a short-term basis isn't really all that difficult...but hanging in there day after day is.  For us it was a privilege to be of help, and always a thrill when the child responded positively to us two old folks.

What I do find remarkable is the thoughtfulness of these two women. As mothers, they could have been in a receiving mindset around May 13 and who could blame them.  But instead they were in a giving mindset and set out to be an encouragement to me (and probably others) on a day reserved to honor them.  What is even more remarkable is that I have never really "mothered" any of their children...so this was not a "thank you" gesture.  This was a "I-have-noticed-something-and-I-would-like-to-acknowledge-it" gesture.  And even more remarkable is neither of them live in my town and one doesn't even live in my state, so I should literally be an out-of-sight, out-of-mindset.

This is humbling to me because of all the wonderful mothers I know not one of them received a card from me, not even the ones I know are struggling right now. But I am also motivated by these two women and their reminder to do what Phillipians 2:4 encourages us to do:

 "Each of you should look not only to your own interests, 

but also to the interests of others"

So, thank you.  If this is how you "pay attention" and "acknowledge others," what wonderful Moms you must be! 

Phase ll - Naming the Re-Purpose Shed!

Friday morning, before the Bird Watching as a Meditation retreat began in the evening, I picked one name from all the submissions that I felt best communicated the purpose (or should I say re-purpose) of the shed as a place for prayer, meditation and hearing the still, small voice of God in our lives. It was a fun process and some of the submissions were very creative, but unfortunately only one could be chosen.

And that GRAND WINNER is....KAVANAH.  Now I know it isn't as clever as some others sent my way, or as silly, like "bovine cow tow now," (?) but it has a meaning that is spot on for Heart by Nature Retreats.  Kavanah is a Hebrew word meaning the focus, intent and direction of the heart. It is most associated with prayer, but can apply to the larger context of life, as well. I not only loved the definition but the sound and spelling of the word, as well.  

When finished, the sign will hang to the left of the door above the chair

So, during the time when some of the women at the retreat decorated bluebird boxes...I painted the sign...or at least the first part of the sign.  There is still some outlining and images to add...but like Kavanah...more embellishing will come with Phase lll!  And I'm still trying to decide if it should be Kavanah Place, Shed, Niche, etc.  To Be Determined later, as they say :)

Three of the Bird Watching as a Meditation participants, Linda,
Carmella and Julie holding the sign

and searching for the elusive
Yellow-breasted Chat!

By the way, the winning name was submitted by Marty Davids from the Chicago, IL area. Thanks, Marty...the book will arrive soon!  And thanks to all of you who took time out to use your brain power and send me ideas! 

 

RE-PURPOSING

 There's been a lot of good buzz over the last few years around the concept of Re-Purposing. 
Women's decorating magazines, homesteading websites and craft blogs
have been showing us how to take one thing and turn it into something
completely different...a colander becomes a hanging lamp...canning jars
become chandeliers...thrown out pieces of whatever become collage art pieces.  You can find lots of ideas at this blog list if you are prone to reusing, recycling and re-purposing the things around you.

At Prairie Pond Woods,
mostly out of logistical necessity, my husband
and I started naming areas of the property right after we took
possession of it. We have the "fallen oak" area, the "larkspur slope"
and the "landing strip," to name a few.  The landing strip is a long,
narrow patch of
land that separates two wooded areas and, if you needed to, you could
land a small plane there in a pinch. At the end of the strip sits an old
aluminum-sided lean-to. I never thought much about it, in fact there
was some talk about dismantling it, but lately I've been thinking about
turning it into a place of meditation and prayer.  Yes, an old cow
shed...becomes a place to connect with God. Hey, it's happened before, if
you recall.

  

This
week, I will be feverishly working on the shed (alongside a wise, young
woman, who is bartering work at Prairie Pond Woods for a personal
retreat), in hopes of finishing it before the Bird Watching as a Meditation retreat this coming weekend.  There is much to do for sure...poor girl has her work cut out for her!

Dead Sumac trees need cleared out and the wood cut small for the fire pit going inside

The Entrance obviously needs re-worked

The weeds on the floor have been killed and now a layer of mulch needs to go down.

The Honeysuckle and Crown Vetch have
been eradicated on one side.  Now new native landscaping must be
designed and planted so that it facilitates a feeling of peace,
seclusion and joy upon arrival.  My hope is that as women spend time there, the simple act of being quiet and listening might bring about New Purposes in their lives.

NAMING CONTEST!!

 

So, here's the deal.
By Thursday, April 26 at 12:00 AM, I would also like to have the shed
named, so that we can make a barn siding sign to hang at its entrance. 
So...calling all creative types to think of a great name for it (I
started calling it the Med Shed...but it lacks a certain flair). If we
pick your Name, I'll send you a copy of one of my favorite books by Ken
Gire called, Windows of the Soul..Experiencing God in New Ways.

To submit a name, go to
https://www.facebook.com/heartbynatureretreats
Message me

See you outside!

Cindy

Adams County Excursion

On Saturday I was invited to go with a group of naturalist who usually get together this time each year to hunt for plants in the mustard family.  Due to the early spring...the mustards are up, bloomed and gone...so the group decided to set out and just go where their phenological noses took them.

It was nice to be among a group of people who love experiencing nature and learning as much as I do. Now, don't get me wrong, I have friends who would give me their kidneys, and with whom I can sit and talk for hours about Life, or nothing important at all. I have many Anam Caras...but few of them care to go birding or botanizing with me...go figure.  But I'm working on them.

So, it was nice to be with folks who randomly blurt out bird names or drop to their knees and start digging through leaf litter or stand motionless looking up or walk in circles staring at the ground, without thinking mental illness is involved.  

We were loosely led by Jim McCormac, who works for the Ohio Dept or Natural Resources and is a wealth of information and understanding.  He has a great blog where you can see way better photos of the day than mine. 

Gettin' the Shot!

I was definitely out-gunned with camera gear and therefore photography enthusiasm.  One of the photographers turned me on to a bino/camera strap combo, so next time I hope to bring the big, heavy Nikon, too. But until then, I hope you will enjoy these few decent photos of some of the things we saw along the way from my "camera lite."

Prairie Dock-A tall native plant of Ohio Prairies

Columbine growing on and hanging from Dolomite Rocks

 Crossvine on Rt. 52 along the Ohio river

There are larges patches of this growing up rock faces and trees on 52

Juniper Hairstreak Butterfly...gorgeous...and a very patient model. 

It soaked up its mud minerals for over a half-hour while we took photos

A male Fence Lizzard lulled into stasis by rubbing his turquoise tummy

RETREAT-Day 1

Wild Phlox greets me on the drive

Arrived at Prairie Pond Woods Monday in the late afternoon, just in time to unload (or schlep) my stuff from the car and walk the Refresher Course before it got dark.  First, I stopped at our morel hotspot but didn’t find a single one – at least not yet. Last year around April 15, this same nondescript patch yielded over 30 of the tasty mushrooms in varying sizes.  But this spring is like no other.

Columbine hangs from the dolomite rock

I can get easily discouraged, when strolling through the habitats, at the amount of invasive species encroaching on the lively patches of columbine or up the slender trees in the woods or in the prairie…indeed, a battle waits.  But today I just chose to notice only the delicate white, pink and purple wildflowers popping up between rough branches and dried brown leaves along the stream, hailing the beauty and joy of spring.

Anemone

They reminded me of one reason I am here on retreat – to spend time cultivating joy and contentment. They say it takes three weeks to develop a new habit, to retrain your brain and create new neural pathways of thinking and behavior.  I have eight.  Eight weeks to do mornings differently.  Eight weeks to eat differently and choose to move more rapidly.  Eight weeks to even approach these goals differently than I have in the past…to change the “pressure to produce” (call it being super working mom or efficient stay-at-home mom, or successful single woman, or reaching out to the ‘name your group’ saintly woman)...into the rest that bears fruit (call it love, joy, peace, patience….) 

Bluets greet me at the entrance to woods

So I’ll be giving myself permission and time needed to think creatively. My grip is loosening on agendas and my heart muscle is exercising receptivness to the Spirit’s leading.  Recently I read an article written by a woman who said she knew “God wanted me to let go of goodness and find freedom.”  The moment I read it, I got it. It doesn’t mean she became bad, but for her it meant “beginning to see life lived from the list of ‘shoulds’ and ‘oughts’ would fall short of God’s ultimate desire for me.”

For my particular issues that means beginning to see life lived “careless in the care of God,” as someone very wise once said. I can find no better paraphrase for Jesus’ words in Matthew 6, where he suggests we learn a thing or two about freedom from the fat and happy birds or the flowers standing majestically in the fields.  It is a mindset that staunchly rejects self-judgment and humbly rejects status.  It is a mindset that allows the day to unfold however it does, as we do our best joyfully.

Sunset through the dogwoods

To be sure there is a lot to accomplish; all of us, everyday, feel this.  But the outcomes don’t need to sap our joy or our feeling of worth. The same job can get done whether our mindset is manic or whether it is calm. In fact, most of our stress is not what is happening outwardly but how we are dealing with it inwardly.  These days, when the over-whelming answer to the question, “How are you?” is “I’m over-whelmed,” wouldn’t it be nice to hear someone answer, “I’m free?”