“Stay wild, moon child. I will shine my full silver light on your path, Moon child. Trust your intuition and follow your dreams. When I go dark, go within and tend to yourself, set your goals and release what no longer serves. When I come out of the shadow Moon child, go, be brave, and to yourself stay wild and true.” Attributed to Riitta Klint
What’s unique about this moon is where it rises and sets — at the “most northerly and southerly positions on the horizon.” It’s a phenomenon that only occurs every 18.6 years. capecodtimes.com
This is called a major lunar standstill.
It’s mindblowing to think that my older Canon can capture this kind of detail, especially considering the moon is 239,000 miles away.
Low in the sky, not sure what caused the moon to be rust-colored, but it was gorgeous…
November 11 is supposed to be a special day because 11/11 aligns in perfect numeric harmony to open a powerful doorway for spiritual growth.
This 11/11 cosmic portal event is supposed to help us connect more deeply with our true self. Right now I think we need a collective activation to clear out all the negative energies on this planet.
Just in time for this intense cosmic portal catalyst and when all else fails, nature is a comfort. My hawk stopped by for a visit to cheer me up. Yes, I was this close to her and yes, she is spectacular.
Photo by Enchanted Seashells
With her proud profile, she brings keen eyesight, patience, and trust. Get the rats, my friend!
Photo by Enchanted Seashells
A hawk visit is a sign from the spirit realm that we are ready to take on a larger, more powerful expansion and vision of our world. The hawk symbolizes a need to start looking forward, envisioning the path ahead, and perhaps even preparing for a greater role in life.
Many believe that the hawk is a messenger, bringing a message from the spirit of the departed. It’s often interpreted as a sign that your loved one is watching over you and that they are at peace,
I can tell you that I know for certain that my mom, if she was alive, would be DISGUSTED with the election results and especially the total annihilation of our reproductive rights. I thought we’d never go back but here we are.
I’ve shared lots of stories about our plight with RATS here in SoCal; for whatever reason — whether it’s overbuilding or decimation of natural predators — many neighborly conversations are about the growing rodent populations.
Because rats love tomatoes, I use mesh bags to protect my beautiful heirlooms from being vandalized and I check on them daily.
Look at that photo...a rat ate through the bag to ravage a gorgeous tomato that was just beginning to turn color. I harvested the rest of them even though they’re green because I refuse to feed those disgusting, destructive, villainous vermin.
I had anticipated simply slicing the heirlooms to enjoy with homegrown basil. I am so sad; it’s a crime against humanity!
I wondered if it was safe to still eat the mangled tomato if I chopped off a large area around the bite and cleaned it really well, but I learned that it’s not worth the risk of any saliva-borne diseases that may have infected the whole tomato, so I had to toss them out. That was PAINFUL.
Besides my sweet lizard, there’s another eligible bachelor vying for my attention…
A few days ago as I was tidying up the family room, I noticed some ODD movement on a big corn plant leaf (Dracaena fragrans Massangeana) near the patio doors. There was no breeze so it was a bit unsettling to watch the leaf move up and down. I hastily picked up the plant and placed it outside on the deck.
Out jumped this little guy! I don’t know how long he had been living there, well-camouflaged, but I thought the outdoors would be a more suitable environment.
Mr. Toad is a very handsome young man, but not all that photogenic. He’s a bit camera shy and kept running behind a pot while I was trying to snap a pic.
I guess he finds enough to eat because he and my lizard love seem to peacefully co-exist.
In most ancient civilizations, toads were synonymous with transformation and renewal. These mysterious creatures are capable of shedding their skins and reincarnating in new ones, signifying rebirth and regeneration. In Chinese folklore, they were believed to be spirits of blessing and prosperity for everyone they encountered. Native American traditions also hold spiritual convictions about toads, which they view as messengers of the soul world.
Attracting toads to our garden naturally controls pests and enhances biodiversity, creating a healthier and more balanced ecosystem.
Frogs, lizards, toads; there’s lots of reptile love around here!
Every morning he waits for me on the deck by the patio doors. Sometimes I almost trip over him because he’s always underfoot, trailing me from the deck to the garden and back again.
When I first noticed this behavior, I thought he had somehow become stranded on the deck and was asking for help, so I put him him in a box and released him on the grass, but he came right back.
He turns his head back and forth as if he’s listening to me, “Good morning, little guy!” “Is it hot enough for you?” “Here’s a bowl of fresh water in case you’re thirsty.”
At night, he looks through the screen door, but that’s where I draw the line. He’s not coming in, not even if he shows off with a few sets of those lizard-y pushups. #boundaries
One occurrence would be nothing to think about, but this happens daily, so I guess I’m in a relationship now.
I brought him a green hornworm from my tomato plant and he gobbled it up. Since my love language involves feeding and caregiving, that made me happy (and a little grossed out).
Most of my research says that lizards symbolize resurrection and rebirth. In Egyptian hieroglyphics, the symbol of the lizard was representative of plentiful abundance. A lizard in one’s house is often seen to represent an old friend or acquaintance.
There are a lot of doves around here AND a lot of hawks. I’ve actually watched them hunt doves, and because they’re not the most swift birdies, it’s not even a contest. The hawk wins every time. It’s a traumatizing experience for ME because there’s nothing I can do to save them from their terrible fate.
Yesterday, I noticed some ripe grapes in one of the arbors in my garden so I climbed on a ladder to snip the cluster when I spied a rough twig-filled nest wedged on top between the vines.
Camouflaged so adorably was a mama dove sitting in the nest looking right at me with her big round eyes. I think there are two eggs in her nest.
Photo by Enchanted Seashells
I grabbed the grapes and climbed down as fast as I could to not further disturb or scare mom.
I’m not sure this is the most secure location to raise a family so I’ll do all I can to keep them safe. “You can trust me, mama dove!”
Photo by Enchanted Seashells
A dove pair may raise two families in a single summer. Mourning doves mate for life – about seven to ten years. If a mate dies, the remaining dove will persevere in its futile attempts to evoke a response from its lifeless mate. Driven by hunger, thirst, threat, or nightfall, the bird will ultimately depart. SAD!!!
Doves are mainly ground feeders which makes them extremely vulnerable to being swooped up by predators. They’re almost 100% granivores, feasting on grains and seeds from wild grasses, weeds, and herbs. I stopped filling the bird feeders because of RATS and squirrels so these guys are on their own, but that doesn’t seem to bother them.
Like all birds, Mourning Doves are unable to sweat, so to stay cool during hot weather … they pant just like a dog. Panting requires the doves to drink a great deal of water due the excessive loss of moisture to evaporation. Doves are one of the few species of birds that drink by sucking up their water instead of taking a bill full of water and letting it trickle down their throat. It can suck up its total daily requirement in less than twenty seconds.
Symbolically, it’s believed that when a dove visits you, they bring a message from a loved one who has passed away or a sign of peace and comfort during times of grief. Two doves together symbolize unity, partnership, and love.
I left the ladder nearby so I can check on mama’s progress. Soon, I hope to hear the chirping of hungry little dove babies.
Lately, I’ve been acting like Sherlock Holmes in my quirky attempts to capture this elusive Monarch butterfly. It’s like she knowingly teases me–such a coquette–flitting all around but never staying in one place long enough to capture her beauty. “Here I am; oops, now I’m gone. Catch me if you can!”
Yesterday, my patience paid off!
Purely bewitching…
FYI…did you know that the brilliant Leon Russell was the pianist on Bob Lind’s recording of his song,Elusive Butterfly? It’s TRUE, Leon was everywhere with his musical genius.
Here’s she is, in all her glory on the flowering California native sumac, joined by a couple of friendly bees:
Stupidstupid tourists just won’t stay away. I don’t know why they feel they need to either taunt the sea lions or take an idiotic selfie with them.
The Children’s Pool in La Jolla is closed to the public during pupping season from December 15 through May 15. The recent opening of the area has lead to the usual STUPIDLY dangerous interactions between people and wildlife.
Recent videos have popped up on social media capturing some of the troubling interactions between people and wildlife at the Children’s Pool. Some involve crowds gathering too close to seals on the beach. Others have seals and sea lions barking at swimmers in the water, one even has a sea lion chasing imbecilic humans.
I think these are the same types of people who get too close to the bison at Yellowstone National Park and are injured by them. I believe that’s the classic definition of instant karma, don’t you agree?
I’ll be happy when tourist season is over, that’s for sure. A friend who lives nearby has made it her life’s mission to protect the sea lions from harm and she says the harassment this year is far worse than in the past. WTF is wrong with people???
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In other startling news, neighbors and I received a Ring video about a brazen daytime burglary that had just occurred on my street, a couple blocks away.
Two masked, gloved, and hooded men carrying plastic bags were seen entering a home through the backyard. How scary is that!
On my way to the post office to mail a package to the Angel Kids, I drove right by the house as it was being robbed, which is a freaky thought.
Police were swarming the area and when I went out to talk to them, I was informed that the criminals had NOT been caught and the police were gathering evidence and taking statements.
I didn’t see a whole lot of active detective work going on, no forensic van had pulled up, nothing like you see on TV, so I’m not exactly sure what they were doing, but I know we are all on high alert.
It’s not clear exactly how the burglars gained access or what was taken, but I have a feeling the home didn’t have security or it wasn’t armed, because the police weren’t notified until a couple hours after the robbery occurred.
I’ll post any future updates if and when the perps are apprehended, OR if there are more incidents.
Enchanted Seashells | Princess Rosebud 