Oh Mel so much here and so fine a way to end. Ivy and me not what I want to see. That stuff acts like poison oak to me and I can take it and make it act like dynamite at times. Carlos always cool as Dyllie and Willie call me to the Gold Country and I sing Willie's on the road again and but of course that brings me what we both speak of most inherently
The most rat infested part of the San Francisco Bay Area is Atherton due to the massive amounts of ivy covered property. The ivy makes the most perfect habitat for the invasive French snails that abound all around. The rats say Merci as they indulge and bulge their bellies with escargot to their hearts content.
Take old massive ivy vines that can become larger in diameter than your arm (Mike's Mel, not yours ;o)) and cut them up and let them dry ..... OR do as I did when removing a bunch from my Nonie's place and have a chunk where four or so vines of that size have melted themselves together as they took over a very remote fence line. The pieces I was getting were as wide as your torso (okay Mel maybe yours ;o)) and consisted of a half dozen interwoven branches cut into bite size pieces with a chain saw. By chance I saved a couple of those from going to the dumps and after they were dry I ended up putting them in a fire. They exploded into flames so fast and furiously that I was shocked by the explosion of flames. There wasn't any wood that even was close to the intensity and speed of it as it was being consumed by the flame. The only thing I have seen burn faster is raw gun powder.
Star Jasmin is also a favorite haunt of snails. It also spreads rapidly and simply takes over the landscape. The smell delightful and that is nice. I had an acquaintance try to convince me that it was of benefit because pests don't like it. I bet the rodents do, and as for other pests... snails. They spend their days in the damp shelter and come out at night to ravage your garden. By the thousands.
Thanks for the shout out to the keepers of a distant past; the Druids. It gives me a sense of peace whenever I consider such. These types, people of this stripe, will always be here and always have been, minding the constant now where peace is also constant. Indifferent to the illusion of change.
For my own peace of mind, I am once again adding meditation to my daily ritual. An on again off again habit of mine. I believe that true meditation is a constant state, and so I slip away from the habit expecting that. I have returned to it in order to refresh, and am finding it helpful.
Back to the Druids and their timeless stature. Sentry. I am reminded of a distant memory of mine. In the late 70's, I was reading the Illuminatus by Robert Shea and Robert Anton Wilson. A very cool read. I never got through it though, because I was terrified by the experience that road along with the storytelling. At night, just as I was falling off to sleep, I would have visitors. Druid looking figures would approach me and present an orb of sorts, that expressed, a kaleidoscopic concentration of color. I was terrified, and eventually, just set the book aside because I knew that the two were related. I don't read much, as you know Melanie, so that was hard because I really was enjoying this read.
I am reminded of these visitors as I read your stack, so much so, that I can see one of these standing here with me now. So that's fun. Comforting. These days, I welcome such visitors. I learned long ago that there is nothing in the dark that is not also in the light, and so it is silly to fear such things. It is fear that colors the experience and causes misrepresentation.
If you are concerned about what might actually represent something to be fearful of, it is the poor decisions of humankind, which you have alluded too. And so, I think, that it is important to stand up and speak to that.
Thank you for another pleasant read, Melanie. I did enjoy it.
Melanie, when I speak of Druids, as above, I am taking a rather generous liberty. This timeless keeper of now, while Druid looking, was not the sort to be spilling the entrails of living beings, human or otherwise, and then making some proclamation based on the arrangement of the intestine as it spilled from the sacrifice.
This Druid-like visitor, found a truer path, one sought by his peers yet not taken.
What an uplifting post Mel ☺️ I love the imagery of the ivy invading your childhood home (or should I say reclaiming?). I love a bit of indoor greenery but I haven’t yet developed the skills to help it thrive.
I love your idea of the ivy reclaiming my childhood home, Rae! I’d never really thought of it that way although I often envision nature taking back the world and simply growing over and crumbling to bits all remnants of civilization. 🌱🌱
Meet you on the Peace Train, my friend!😘 ☮️ 🚂 So glad this was uplifting! So glad you are here!
Oh Mel so much here and so fine a way to end. Ivy and me not what I want to see. That stuff acts like poison oak to me and I can take it and make it act like dynamite at times. Carlos always cool as Dyllie and Willie call me to the Gold Country and I sing Willie's on the road again and but of course that brings me what we both speak of most inherently
peace and love
I also am not a fan of ivy, Tom. I'm with you on that. I see it as kind of a destructive force. That being said, I did enjoy Melanie's take on it.
The most rat infested part of the San Francisco Bay Area is Atherton due to the massive amounts of ivy covered property. The ivy makes the most perfect habitat for the invasive French snails that abound all around. The rats say Merci as they indulge and bulge their bellies with escargot to their hearts content.
Take old massive ivy vines that can become larger in diameter than your arm (Mike's Mel, not yours ;o)) and cut them up and let them dry ..... OR do as I did when removing a bunch from my Nonie's place and have a chunk where four or so vines of that size have melted themselves together as they took over a very remote fence line. The pieces I was getting were as wide as your torso (okay Mel maybe yours ;o)) and consisted of a half dozen interwoven branches cut into bite size pieces with a chain saw. By chance I saved a couple of those from going to the dumps and after they were dry I ended up putting them in a fire. They exploded into flames so fast and furiously that I was shocked by the explosion of flames. There wasn't any wood that even was close to the intensity and speed of it as it was being consumed by the flame. The only thing I have seen burn faster is raw gun powder.
peace and love
Star Jasmin is also a favorite haunt of snails. It also spreads rapidly and simply takes over the landscape. The smell delightful and that is nice. I had an acquaintance try to convince me that it was of benefit because pests don't like it. I bet the rodents do, and as for other pests... snails. They spend their days in the damp shelter and come out at night to ravage your garden. By the thousands.
Thanks for the shout out to the keepers of a distant past; the Druids. It gives me a sense of peace whenever I consider such. These types, people of this stripe, will always be here and always have been, minding the constant now where peace is also constant. Indifferent to the illusion of change.
For my own peace of mind, I am once again adding meditation to my daily ritual. An on again off again habit of mine. I believe that true meditation is a constant state, and so I slip away from the habit expecting that. I have returned to it in order to refresh, and am finding it helpful.
Back to the Druids and their timeless stature. Sentry. I am reminded of a distant memory of mine. In the late 70's, I was reading the Illuminatus by Robert Shea and Robert Anton Wilson. A very cool read. I never got through it though, because I was terrified by the experience that road along with the storytelling. At night, just as I was falling off to sleep, I would have visitors. Druid looking figures would approach me and present an orb of sorts, that expressed, a kaleidoscopic concentration of color. I was terrified, and eventually, just set the book aside because I knew that the two were related. I don't read much, as you know Melanie, so that was hard because I really was enjoying this read.
I am reminded of these visitors as I read your stack, so much so, that I can see one of these standing here with me now. So that's fun. Comforting. These days, I welcome such visitors. I learned long ago that there is nothing in the dark that is not also in the light, and so it is silly to fear such things. It is fear that colors the experience and causes misrepresentation.
If you are concerned about what might actually represent something to be fearful of, it is the poor decisions of humankind, which you have alluded too. And so, I think, that it is important to stand up and speak to that.
Thank you for another pleasant read, Melanie. I did enjoy it.
So cool, your experience with Druids, Mike! They kind of fascinate me, not their human sacrifices but their deep connection to nature.
I am also a meditator although I don’t have a regular practice. I rely on it during times of stress and upset though.
As always I’m grateful for your presence here and your always interesting, deep and thoughtful responses. Be well Miguel!
Melanie, when I speak of Druids, as above, I am taking a rather generous liberty. This timeless keeper of now, while Druid looking, was not the sort to be spilling the entrails of living beings, human or otherwise, and then making some proclamation based on the arrangement of the intestine as it spilled from the sacrifice.
This Druid-like visitor, found a truer path, one sought by his peers yet not taken.
What an uplifting post Mel ☺️ I love the imagery of the ivy invading your childhood home (or should I say reclaiming?). I love a bit of indoor greenery but I haven’t yet developed the skills to help it thrive.
Get me a ticket for that peace train ☮️ 🚂 ♥️
I love your idea of the ivy reclaiming my childhood home, Rae! I’d never really thought of it that way although I often envision nature taking back the world and simply growing over and crumbling to bits all remnants of civilization. 🌱🌱
Meet you on the Peace Train, my friend!😘 ☮️ 🚂 So glad this was uplifting! So glad you are here!
Choo choo me too ☺️ Hope you’re enjoying your road trip ☘️