Flowering Fridays: Touch-Me-Not

Jewelweed at Cave Canyon, Highlands Nature Sanctuary

I was drawn in by these slipper-esque flowers when taking a guided hike of Cave Canyon at Highlands Nature Sanctuary last week. My capable guide, Teddy, explained that jewelweed is commonly found next to poison ivy — a sort of nature's medicine chest setup as jewelweed is used as an herbal remedy for rashes, insect bites and stings. (And indeed there was poison ivy right next to the jewelweed.)

I marvel at the inherent wisdom of Nature. And for me, it's a reminder of how we are always supported and cared for by the universe. 

Jewelweed is part of the Impatiens family, and it's common name — Touch-Me-Not — comes from the fact that when you touch one of its seed, the seed pod pops open and jump out, as if recoiling in fear or surprise. 

Last night, I was feeling a bit like a touch-me-not with my husband. I was practicing my bongo lesson and he made a genuinely helpful comment — but in the moment I heard it as a criticism and I pulled back, hurt and upset. 

The seedpod pops and curls up into this beautiful shape

Learning to play the bongos is the perfect teacher for my creative growth. Not only because it requires that I practice (such a great reminder for me, who has, in the past, expected instant perfection on the first try!), but also because it puts me in touch with my vulnerability around my creative expression. 

I could see in my reaction to my husband was just a reflection of how tender I am feeling about playing an instrument,  about my uncomfortableness with being a beginner at something and how I fear that my husband (a guitarist with more than 20 years experience) will judge me as an unworthy musician.

It's interesting how quickly I can let my fears about perfection and being judged get in the way of my joy and allowing myself the wide space that beginners require.

But the space and grace to be a beginner is just what I — and everyone! — needs when stretching into something new.

My intention is to be more like the beautiful jewelweed flower, stepping and opening into learning how to play an instrument and claiming myself as a musician. And less like the curled up touch-me-not seedpod.

Tell me, in what areas of your life to do you respond as a touch-me-not? Where might you wish to step out with some different "slippers" to blossom more fully?

Noticing the Small Details

This is a gray tree frog that my husband found on our hose reel last night. He's a wee thing — about 2 inches long. Isn't he sweet? Doesn't he look like a wise sage?

What I have been really enjoying about creating this blog is I'm noticing the small details of my life. I don't think it's a coincidence that I've also discovered that I love taking close-up photos.

I find that when I take the time to notice what's around me — both the big and the little things — that I'm more centered and more open to the wonder of life. 

It also opens me up to my poet's eye, even when I don't write a poem in that moment. The words and images dance about my head as I notice. I'm taking notes in my mind's eye, filing them away for when the words will spill onto the page into a poem. 

We said good-bye to Mr. Tree Frog and placed him on near-by tree. I thanked him for the gift of allowing me a few moments of blissful presence and careful noticing.

Tell me, what are noticing in your life that is filling you with wonder?

Re-Emergence

 

View from one of the cave at Cave Canyon/Highlands Nature Sanctuary, Bainbridge, Ohio

I am re-emerging into my life in Wisconsin after a blissfully wonderful and expansive week at Highlands Nature Sanctuary in Bainbridge, Ohio  (part of the Arc of Appalachia Preserve system). But am still playing some catch-up on life here, so look for more photos and stories beginning tomorrow.

In the meantime, if you aren't a regular reader of my newsletter, you can read a bit about my transformative visit here.

Looking into the canyon, Cave Canyon/Highlands Nature Sanctuary, Bainbridge, Ohio