Action 35: Nature watch. If you have been greening your garden and setting up a bird feeder, why not make a point of watching out for who is visiting your garden. Hopefully different birds, and may be insects: bees and wasps are still active looking for food, and you may find some beautifully made spiders webs.
Water is an amazing substance! At times so still you can see your face in it; at others a tumbling foaming onrush that barely pauses as it sweeps past. In this small section of river there is water that is roaring past and water that is clinging to the banks, some is leaping into the air and some is spiralling round and round.
The world around us is full of curious, beautiful and amazing things. As small children our curiosity and our amazement knew no bounds. Every day would produce novelties- things to see, things to chew or eat, things to grab and hold, things to poke and explore.
As we have grow older we have often lost that sense of wonder. Things that were new have become mundane. In the rush to be busy, small things flop below the radar. Decorum dictates that we shouldn’t prod or lick things and, unless we’re wine tasters, swirling stuff around our mouth and spitting are frowned upon. Stopping suddenly just to look is discouraged – it interrupts the flow of traffic. Daily routines take over.
And our love for the world wains and falters.
The season of creation-tide runs from 1st September till 4th October, the Feast of St Francis. Let’s fall in love again with creation.
Action 64: Make a toad shelter – also suitable for frogs and newts.
Action 63: Make some quince jelly. You can make this with fruit from a japonica bush. These ‘quinces’ are ready to pick when they beginning to turn yellow. Cut them in quarters with a string knife. Cover with water and boil until soft. Strain through a muslin cloth or ‘jelly bag’. For every 600ml of liquid, add 450g sugar. Bring to the boil and boil until the setting point is reached – 105C. If you don’t have a sugar thermometer, use a wooden spoon: stir the jelly, then hold the spoon curved side up and count to 20. Tip the spoon and if the liquid coagulates as it drips, it is at setting point. Pour the jelly into sterilised jars. It should be lovely pinky orange colour.
Sea view, north Brittany coast
Peeping through the trees and bushes, the view of sand and sea and a further promontory suggests adventure, but maybe also suggest time to play, relax and unwind enjoying the novelty or newness that sand and sea offer to those of us who live inland.
The world around us is full of curious, beautiful and amazing things. As small children our curiosity and our amazement knew no bounds. Every day would produce novelties- things to see, things to chew or eat, things to grab and hold, things to poke and explore.
As we have grow older we have often lost that sense of wonder. Things that were new have become mundane. In the rush to be busy, small things flop below the radar. Decorum dictates that we shouldn’t prod or lick things and, unless we’re wine tasters, swirling stuff around our mouth and spitting are frowned upon. Stopping suddenly just to look is discouraged – it interrupts the flow of traffic. Daily routines take over.
And our love for the world wains and falters.
The season of creation-tide runs from 1st September till 4th October, the Feast of St Francis. Let’s fall in love again with creation.
Wengwald, Switzerland
Fresh thick snow blankets the ground and weighs down the branches with heavy white lace.
It is fascinating how this coating in white transform the view. Uneven surfaces are levelled off, empty spaces filled, sharp edges smoothed. Sounds are muffled yet hearing becomes more acute. What was grey and winter-worn, becomes a magical world – a world of new possibilities.
The world around us is full of curious, beautiful and amazing things. As small children our curiosity and our amazement knew no bounds. Every day would produce novelties- things to see, things to chew or eat, things to grab and hold, things to poke and explore.
As we have grow older we have often lost that sense of wonder. Things that were new have become mundane. In the rush to be busy, small things flop below the radar. Decorum dictates that we shouldn’t prod or lick things and, unless we’re wine tasters, swirling stuff around our mouth and spitting are frowned upon. Stopping suddenly just to look is discouraged – it interrupts the flow of traffic. Daily routines take over.
And our love for the world wains and falters.
The season of creation-tide runs from 1st September till 4th October, the Feast of St Francis. Let’s fall in love again with creation.
Action 62: Support local businesses. Local businesses tend to have shorter supply chains and because they’re local, you can get there on foot or by cycle. Reducing journeys helps reduces carbon emissions. Supporting local businesses also supports your local community.
Running, step by step
Mile after mile.
Left, right, left, right.
Leg forwards and pull back.
Breathe.
Running, step by step
Mile after mile.
Under trees, across the grass,
along a track, follow the path.
Breathe.
Running, step by step
Mile after mile.
Frees the mind to engage with God.
God in this space sharing my thoughts.
Breathe.
Running, step by step
Mile after mile.
Green, the glory of God,
grandeur of trees, panoply of sky.
Breathe.
Running, step by step
Mile after mile.
A rosary of prayers for those I love,
for those on my heart.
Breathe.
Running, step by step
Mile after mile.
Baring my soul, God may your will be done –
this world: its plight, our mistakes.
Breathe.
Running, step by step
Mile after mile.
Strained, worn down,
stay firm, keep faith.
Breathe.
Stop. Rest.
Amen.
Tree ferns in a courtyard at the Royal Academy, London
With a bright sun overhead, the fronds of the tree fern appear as black silhouettes of intricate detail.
The world around us is full of curious, beautiful and amazing things. As small children our curiosity and our amazement knew no bounds. Every day would produce novelties- things to see, things to chew or eat, things to grab and hold, things to poke and explore.
As we have grow older we have often lost that sense of wonder. Things that were new have become mundane. In the rush to be busy, small things flop below the radar. Decorum dictates that we shouldn’t prod or lick things and, unless we’re wine tasters, swirling stuff around our mouth and spitting are frowned upon. Stopping suddenly just to look is discouraged – it interrupts the flow of traffic. Daily routines take over.
And our love for the world wains and falters.
The season of creation-tide runs from 1st September till 4th October, the Feast of St Francis. Let’s fall in love again with creation.
Action 61: Recycle blister packs used for packaging tablets and pills. Superdrug have recycling collection points in all their stores. And not does that just recycle material that would otherwise go to waste, it also earns money which supports the Marie Curie charity.
The Green Tau 