Celebrating the birthday of John Muir, born April 21, 1838, in Scotland (moved to the U.S. at age 11), conservationist, naturalist, writer, and a favorite of pantheists everywhere. Learn much more about his life from the Sierra Club by clicking here. "How glorious a greeting the sun gives the mountains!" (John Muir)
Novelist/environmentalist Wallace Stegner said, "National parks are the best idea we ever had. Absolutely American, absolutely democratic, they reflect us at our best rather than our worst." One thing most of us can agree on, we love our national parks and national forests...we humans sometimes just need to get away into the wilderness and back to Nature, away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. These parks are accessible to so many people and give us a chance to reconnect with the natural world, to relax, to heal, to recharge, be it through hiking, camping, or just enjoying the beautiful views, trees, and flowers...not to mention an opportunity to get a glimpse of some of the wildlife that make the parks their home. April 18-26 is National Park Week here in the US. Right now, trails and roads have limited accessibility due to the coronavirus, but there are still ways to enjoy and celebrate our parks. For some ideas from the National Park Service, click here. (Great Smoky Mountains National Park)
In this weird time right now when we are more limited to walks in our own yards and neighborhoods, here's a quote that seems appropriate:
"The lesson which life repeats and constantly enforces is 'look under foot.' You are always nearer the divine and the true sources of your power than you think. The lure of the distant and the difficult is deceptive. The great opportunity is where you are. Do not despise your own place and hour. Every place is under the stars. Every place is the centre of the world." (John Burroughs) Happy Birthday, William Wordsworth! Born on this day in 1770 (died April 23, 1850), England's poet laureate near the end of his life, he helped usher in the Romantic period of poetry with his friend Samuel Coleridge. Perhaps a pantheist, perhaps not, but clearly he loved Nature and the joys, sweet memories, and healing it brings. I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud (also known simply as Daffodils) I wandered lonely as a cloud That floats on high o'er vales and hills, When all at once I saw a crowd, A host of golden daffodils; Beside the lake, beneath the trees, Fluttering and dancing in the breeze. Continuous as the stars that shine and twinkle on the Milky Way, They stretched in never-ending line along the margin of a bay: Ten thousand saw I at a glance, tossing their heads in sprightly dance. The waves beside them danced; but they Out-did the sparkling waves in glee: A poet could not be but gay, in such a jocund company: I gazed—and gazed—but little thought what wealth the show to me had brought: For oft, when on my couch I lie In vacant or in pensive mood, They flash upon that inward eye Which is the bliss of solitude; And then my heart with pleasure fills, And dances with the daffodils. We may largely be confined to our homes and yards right now because of COVID-19, but most of us can still step outside for a minute or two (or more) and look up. Click here to see what's happening in the April night skies. Even though we're social distancing, Nature still connects us all. Take care!
Yesterday was the vernal equinox here in the Northern Hemisphere. Spring is usually a time for happiness and celebrations and lots of pretty pictures of flowers. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, there's definitely a more somber attitude these days. Even though life has changed and how we do things has changed, Nature still moves through its seasons. There are rabbits and birds and blooming trees and flowers to still enjoy from our homes and yards, and we all know spending time in Nature helps with depression and anxiety even for a little while. Please stay safe and follow the current guidelines as you and your loved ones navigate these challenging times.
In celebration of spring, we are sharing a poem by Mary Oliver that was posted on the Mary Oliver Facebook Page and has been shared in the Universal Pantheists Facebook group. Mary Oliver Yesterday at 9:19 AM · Happy first day of Spring! It's that time again, the beginning of a new month when we share a link with you where you can see what's going on when you look up in the night skies. Just click here for the March 2020 sky report. And don't forget, coming up a little later this month is the Spring Equinox as well!
For your viewing pleasure, click here for the monthly night sky report...what to see when you look up during the month of February. There's a lot happening with the moon and planets for all you "stargazers" out there. Enjoy!
Today marks two special occasions of note. The first is Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday and is celebrated as an American holiday as Martin Luther King, Jr., Day of Service. For many people, it's a day to focus on nonviolence, peace, getting along with those with whom we share the planet. For pantheists, that generally includes not only humans, but non-human species as well. From Wilderness Watch's Twitter account, we are reminded of this quote. The question is, will we ever learn? Secondly, it's Penguin Awareness Day. For more info on these fascinating animals, click here for National Geographic's video on Antarctica's city of 400,000 King Penguins. |
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