The Edge of Awareness

The current trend towards "immediate information" dulls our ability to be in the present. We frequently are unaware of where our feet are touching the earth..... let alone able to see the connections taking place as we pass through our every day life.
   Here is some beauty I almost missed.

                   Banded Net-Winged Beetle

             
            Can anyone id. this aquatic grass in flower?.... E. Inlet Pitts. NH

          
                           Dew on a spider web by the garden

               And this tiny American toad almost inside an acorn cap

  An 8" brand new skin, Red Bellied snake showed up under a tarp in the lower garden

We also are very thankful for friends and their kindness. Hillary P. donated wonderful Concord grapes after ours were feasted on by "critters". 

We put up 24 quarts of Helen + Scott Nearing's grape juice.

 

  Our Stand Against Northern Pass had a good day at the Hearing last week. A large crowd from up North of the Notch were present for their showing of "Negative Impacts of Northern Pass".

          https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=mAR2X846lEA

                  The panel of Presenters were Awesome.

 

        

As we approach another winter my hope is for Peace, Justice, and Empathy

Stepping back from the edge ... being creative.

  This summer has slipped by again, out of my control. We spent too much time with Northern Pass. It took way too much of our energy ... didn't even see that one.

  I did take a wonderful Print Making course with Annette Mitchell and a cluster of amazing women artists. Yes I was the only man in the group. I learned so much. It was a real boost.
       

              Here is a print I did of the Boudhanath Stupa, Kathmandu.

I hope this can be printed as a 2 card set on 8.5x11

           
        















 Another break was the wonderful sharing that takes place in a National Writers course at P.S.U. called Writing Our Communities. We visited Fox Run Park to discover Water Scorpions and Whirligig Beetles living in an aquatic Community.

     Then there was the last Sight Evaluation Comm. Tour. They visited some sites that will be HIGHLY impacted by Northern Pass. Here is downtown Plymouth N.H. where the "proposed route" will go right under Main St.
    

My only hope is the SEC will listen to the people of N.H. and come out as Heroes. I do believe the majority of them have hearts.

Northern Pass Too Much to Swallow

        Northern Pass Transmission lines could be the largest disruption and scar on our "Scenic" State since Interstate I-93.

 

This graphic was created by Bury the Northern Pass

http://burynorthernpass.blogspot.com/

 

We have been attending Technical sessions in Concord 

since September. The top photo shows the Deerfield Aubutters. 

Below are "the Applicants'" lawyers and two "Experts".  

Then, we have taken some special walks out our door 

and down the field. This walk took us to the beaver pond 

that is on the power line Right of Way.

                Northern Pass proposes to place a 90' tower here... 

in the beaver pond.

***

 

The choice I am working on is ... not to ignore the Greedy Corporations attempting to wipe out our environment, but to change my daily focus on to the "here" and "now".

  

 This fellow was walking next to me in my greenhouse which has provided me with tidbits of greenery ALL winter long, heated by an aquarium heater in a 40 gallon container of water.

               I have also enjoyed helping neighbors "Tap Out"

And of course we had our own winter "Work Outs".

 

It is so important to be aware -- and grateful -- of the Natural Beauty around us and to keep working to preserve it.

STARTING MY 7TH DECADE

Gretchen and I ushered in the New Year again with a Wee Bonfire and some single Malt.
    

We decided the way we shall make it through this "Challenging" new period Is to focus on the many good deeds people throughout the world are doing and be strong to OUR convictions..... Like fighting Northern Pass and Greedy Corporations!

This is part of Ever$ource/ Northern Pass Transmission Lines preparations for their 100 foot plus tower Monstrosities. I chose it for my entry to the "Community Photo-Club" Challenge "Depict a Song Title".  Any more you can think of?

On Hogmanay we had a visit from our great neighbor Rob. C.  He was taking his newborn Scottish Highlander for a stroll.  A First sign of a happy new year for the Neighborhood.

There does seem to be a theme about being "Wise". This Barred Owl has continued to grace us with his presence this winter.

My first full day of my "7th" decade is a beauty. I am really working on remaining in the Present Moment and enjoying the Nature that surrounds us....

...and fostering Peace within and Peace without...

Happy New Year!