International Leon Russell Day

Posted on June 27, 2025 by Enchanted Seashells

How did I miss this???

International Leon Russell Day is celebrated on June 25th, coinciding with National Leon Day.

It’s a day to honor the visionary, legendary musician Leon Russell with events like special performances and tribute album release parties.

I had another one of my accidental mishaps and was totally incapacitated for a brief period of time. No surgery necessary, but I was in recovery mode yet again…that’s the only reason I can think of to explain how I missed a day to honor the Master of Space and Time.

I was there on June 26,1971…

Early Leon performing Hi-Heel Sneakers from the Shindig TV show. He was only 22 years old. S1E7, October 28, 1964. Leon starts at 2:25.

And a decade later, Strangers in a Strange Land:

And many, many years later, he’s still the Master of Space and Time. All you need is Leon and his piano…his version is so nuanced and poignant, it brings tears.

Happy International Leon Russell Day!

Sunday Vibes

Posted on June 22, 2025 by Enchanted Seashells

Today’s mood: out of the loop by choice…

I don’t want to hear about that orange POS or worry about WW3 or the economy or ICE or any of the other no good, terrible, very bad things that are going on. I want to bask in my ignorance.

Just for today I want to be the innocent who waters her garden and talks to crows and delights in butterflies and believes in the inherent goodness of humanity.

Curated from Cottage Whimsy / Artist: Naoko Stoop

This Beach Boys song seems to convey the vibe of the day, only good vibes! Here’s Good Vibrations studio footage. I know that Leon Russell played on a version of GV, but I don’t see him here:

Celebrate The Summer Solstice With a Mantra, Healing Chakras, and a Poem

Posted on June 20, 2025 by Enchanted Seashells

Today is the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year, and it holds significant spiritual symbolism. It represents the triumph of light over darkness, new beginnings, and the peak of nature’s abundance. Here are three of my favorite things…

🌻 Summer Solstice Mantra:

Om Hrim Shivaya Namaha
This is a powerful invocation of Shiva (consciousness) and Shakti (energy). The bija sound “Hrim” amplifies the transformative power of Om Namah Shivaya, making it especially resonant at this sun-drenched turning point in the year.

🌻 Solar Plexus Chakra:

Another way to celebrate the summer solstice is to embrace our inner light by connecting with our solar plexus chakra. Awaken to and be aware of our inner radiance and true power.

The solar plexus chakra–Manipura–is where we derive our sense of self and personal autonomy. It’s our distinct source of personal power that allows us to live life freely and authentically. Associated with a bright yellow color, we can empower our solar plexus chakra by meditating and with yoga poses like the plank and variations of warrior, or any pose that focuses on our core strength.

🌻 Poem:

Summer Stars

Bend low again, night of summer stars.
So near you are, sky of summer stars,
So near, a long-arm man can pick off stars,
Pick off what he wants in the sky bowl,
So near you are, summer stars,
So near, strumming, strumming,
So lazy and hum-strumming.
–Carl Sandburg

The Popcorn King 🍿 Orville Redenbacher

Posted on June 19, 2025 by Enchanted Seashells

Last night I made some popcorn the old fashioned way — on the stovetop. I don’t often have popcorn, but I couldn’t think of anything to eat, so I made some and sprinkled it with pink Himalayan sea salt, which I know is uber trendy right now, but I’ve always used it primarily because it’s PINK and so pretty!

While eating the warm crunchy popped corn, I remembered that once upon a time, I met the Popcorn King himself, Orville Redenbacher.

During the America’s Cup races in San Diego. I was on a spectator boat and Orville was on board, too.

There was an undercurrent of chatter; buzz that someone famous was with us, and there he was, in his trademarked glasses and bow tie. Since we know by now that I’m not afraid of talking to anybody, whether it’s Willie Nelson or Vice President Al Gore or a rude Rob Reiner (Kauai), I had a sweet little chat with OR, who WAS a very nice man, by the way.

Did you know that Orville Redenbacher actually was a scientist? He developed a new strain of popcorn that kept that whole industry alive.

Back then, before smart phones, no one was as obsessed with documenting each and every moment of their lives, and while it WAS the America’s Cup and a pretty big deal, I still didn’t have a camera with me, so I don’t have photographic proof, I’m sorry to report.

Orville asked me for my address and I gave it to him because he said he was going to send me something. I had totally forgotten about our conversation until a gigantic box arrived a few weeks later, full of OR popcorn and products.

Sadly, I didn’t know that Orville Redenbacher died in 1995 at his home in Coronado, which is on the other side of San Diego Bay.

Belated, but RIP to the Popcorn King.🍿

Strawberry Full Moon 2025

Posted on June 11, 2025 by Enchanted Seashells

This Strawberry Moon isn’t just any ordinary full moon – it’s going to be the lowest moon in the sky in 18.6 years and won’t hang this low again until 2043! It’s called a major lunar standstill, and should be visible just after moonrise.

The name comes from Native American tribes marking strawberry harvest season. I just learned this, too: June was a prime month for marriage and honey harvesting, and the June full moon was sometimes called the “Mead Moon” or “Honeymoon”, and that’s where the term originally emanated from.

June 11, 2025 at 7:44 GMT is peak illumination, but in many areas, best viewing might have been last night. I didn’t get any photos at all because the sky didn’t cooperate; too much marine layer and the moon couldn’t break through. I’ll try again tonight.

It’s a time for emotional healing and gratitude, encouraging connection with cosmic energies, releasing negativity, and manifesting desires. This full moon also marks a time for reflection and self-discovery. It occurs in Sagittarius, a sign known for its adventurous spirit, optimism, and pursuit of truth and freedom.

Don’t miss this rare celestial spectacle and don’t forget to charge your crystals!

Strawberries!

Photo by Enchanted Seashells

Lightning, Thunder, and Polar Bear Dreams

Posted on June 5, 2025 by Enchanted Seashells

I don’t think these are really connected, but they happened on the same night.

The proof we rarely experience thunderstorms is the fact that there was a flurry of social media posts asking the question, “What was that noise?” “Did anybody else hear it?” “It sounded like a boom, am I the only one who heard it?” “Could it be thunder?”

And yes, it was, because I also heard a strange rumbling in the sky and texted my neighbors to ask if they heard it too. They said they were bewildered for a moment and then agreed that it was, indeed, thunder preceded by lightning, and then it started to rain — not a lot, but any skywater is appreciated.

That event certainly generated a lot of excitement in our little beachy town, that’s for sure.

I went to sleep, happy in the knowledge that my veggies and flowers were having a lovely little drink.

I woke up this morning and remembered a WEIRD dream. I always have vivid, detailed dreams, but this one is strange, even for me.

There was a female polar bear wandering around the front of my house, sniffing at plants and the driveway (weirdly specific), making her way toward the side gate. Following right behind her was a nursing cub that didn’t belong to her and she was sort of ignoring it. How did I know it wasn’t her baby? I have no idea, however, I told the mama bear to nurse the little one because it was hungry, and she did. (I’m bossy like that.)

That’s it. That’s the dream.

How random! How bizarre! I live in Southern California, not in Alaska nor anywhere else in the Arctic. A little research revealed that it’s not all that extraordinary to dream about a nursing polar bear. I guess I’m not as unique as I sometimes think I am!

Additionally, I hadn’t been reading or watching anything about polar bears, so this really and truly came out of nowhere but from the deep recesses of my subconscious.

Polar bears are revered in Inuit culture, representing intelligence, resilience, and the ability to survive in the Arctic. They can also be seen as a symbol of one’s inner strength and resourcefulness.

Dreaming about a polar bear nursing its cub can symbolize nurturing, protection, and the ability to overcome challenges, according to dream interpretation resources. In this context, the polar bear represents strength and resilience, while the cub signifies new beginnings and the importance of protecting vulnerable aspects of yourself or your life.

Nurturing and Protection: The mother bear’s act of nursing her cub in a dream often symbolizes your own nurturing and protective instincts. It can also reflect a desire to shield vulnerable aspects of yourself or your life from harm.
Strength and Resilience: Polar bears are powerful animals known for their ability to survive in harsh conditions. In a dream, they can represent your inner strength and the ability to overcome challenges and setbacks.
New Beginnings: The cub represents new life, growth, and the cycle of change. This dream could signal that you are entering a new phase in your life or that you need to embrace change and renewal.
Overprotectiveness: Dreaming about a polar bear nursing its cub can also highlight overprotective tendencies.

June Blooms

Posted on June 3, 2025 by Enchanted Seashells

Here’s a little sprinkle of alchemy from Mother Earth.

I grew these flowers: Forget-Me-Not, Zinnia, Calendula…with seeds collected from last season’s blooms. It’s a satisfying project to participate in the circle of life, almost like I gave birth to them, which in a way, I did.

It’s not just me: A query about saving one’s seeds reveals this:
Harvesting garden seeds offers a deep connection to the natural world, to become more self-sufficient, and to witness the unique adaptations plants make over time to their specific environment. It also provides a sense of continuity and independence from commercial seed companies.

Yes! I do so love FREE things!

I try to save as many seeds as I can in the veggie garden, too. Cilantro and tomatoes perform well, as do certain types of lettuce. Cucumbers and members of the squash family won’t produce true to type if they’re hybrids, but it’s fun to experiment.

June is full of color around here. Soon enough, it’ll be too dry and everything will turn drab and brown, but the joy continues because I’ll salvage the seeds for next spring. It’s the circle of life all over again!

June Birds: Bursting With Color

Posted on June 1, 2025 by Enchanted Seashells

I’m beyond ecstatic to report this awesome news that for the first time ever a California Scrub Jay momma is building her nest here at Casa de Enchanted Seashells.

I’ve been feeding a Scrub Jay family for a long time and they’ve become so trusting that they eat out of my hand, but I’ve never before had one take up residence. The birdhouse is in a fruit-bearing mulberry tree and it’s going crazy this year. Sometimes I harvest all the fruit and make jam and cobblers; haven’t decided if I’ll do it again this season.

I can’t wait to hear and see the babies! Scrub Jays are known for their high intelligence, particularly their abilities in memory, problem-solving, and social cognition. They excel at hiding and remembering food caches, learn new tasks by applying general rules, and even appear to understand the perspective of other jays when deciding where to hide their food.

If that wasn’t awesome enough, check out this (uncommon) Common Yellowthroat OR American Goldfinch–I can’t identify it for sure. I was able to snap a few pictures as they snacked on spent lavender blooms.