The Journal

Words Inspired
The Peace of Wild Things

By Wendell Berry . Copyright © 1998
Used by permission of author

 

When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.

Weekend in Whidbey Island

Story shared by Dave & Melissa Stiles, September 2015

~ Click HERE to read the story ~

Photograph by Tm J.

Ode to Aquila Vista

(‘ak-wǝ-lǝ, Latin: eagle)

Everyday Aquila Vista holds some genuine surprise
for our trafficked and suburb-weary ears and eyes–
a spotted fawn stares, a heron glides across the moonrise,
the cirrus-framed sunset hushes all sounds to sighs.

Goldfinch and flying beetles dress in flashy haute couture,
the hoary eagles with patience the punk-band crows endure,
all rabbits dive into the hay, hoping maybe anxiety to cure?
…we observe may things on our daily perimeter tour.

The full moon pulls the ocean clear off of Useless Bay sand,
butter clams soak us and dig much deeper than they’d planned.
Quizzical chitons and other chimerical sea beings demand
a close-up look in these two amateur naturalists’ hands!

With loving thanks for the lasting memories & your deep generosity
~ Kevin and Eva, July 6, 2012

Vine Street Retreat

Saw a kingfisher hovering over te nearshore tide. A deer in the orchard. Warmish, calm afternoon following a cold, blustery evening and morning. Carolyn, Bill & Bliss, Tina, Barbara, me (Peter), Kieth, Glenn, Eulah so far. Dale called from San Francisco. Great lunch. I’m going for a walk before going to Anacortes to see G & G & Ian.

It turns out that “Moon Shells” are natuve! The type we see around Useless Bay appear to be the Lewis MS. variety. Meriweather (sp) Lewis spotted them at the mouth of the Columbia River and brought specimins (spelling spelling spelling) back to D.C. so Jefferson could have a look

Over at the table they’re talking about the P-Patch cottages, and Bliss is begging Bill for ice cream.

Peter

 

Another spectacular sunset. A jewel of light lingering under a huge funnel of ambient upward heavenly radiance. Sun’s gift.

Anahata

 

This ladybug doesn’t want to fly away home.

Glenn Mac Gilver

 

The people, the place, the atmosphere all intermingle to create a sense of possibility, serenity and compassion. Great stuff to build the future from!

Keith

 

Another wonderful sunny afternoon on Whidbey. Thank you everyone for all the ideas & hard work.

Myke

 

I can’t think how many years– decades? –since I’ve been out of earshot of cars or heard owls hooting. They don’t make stars like these in Belltown.  Each day of Maxwelton Aerie lifts a year of cares away. Thank you for sharing this retreat.

Tina H.

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