Posted on by Laura Lee

CW: Disturbing 9-11 Images/ Only We Can Save Each Other

 

Dear Readers,

And it’s another 9-11, the 18th year after the attacks.  And I thought I was “over” feeling sad, terrified, angry, sad… but of course not. This was a day that changed America I think.

During all this, it seems reaching out to others with love and kindness was the way to healing.

If you can watch this video without tears, don’t tell me, because I won’t believe you are human.

The still images capture the shock, terror, grief of the day. The music is by Disturbed. Warning: some disturbing images.

Spread love and kindness and compassion, dear readers. I do believe only we, with effort, love, compassion and learning–can save each other.

Link here:

Posted on by Laura Lee

A Nature Walk is Always Appreciated

Even during the short nature walks, I learn something. Today I learned that as everything becomes so green, we do lose some of the spring colors. It’s such a lush time of year!

The Virginia bluebells are no longer in bloom, but some type of small purple wildflower and another pink wildflower are in bloom.

There are still rather exotic looking birds passing through on their way north. Delightful to see the small songbirds, catch a glimpse of the glorious colors of indigo and gold, orange, black, and red.

Soon I won’t be able to do my favorite walk, a beautiful path in a Spruce Forest. Why? Mosquitoes. Let me just say I’ve tried everything, absolutely everything and I am just too popular with the mosquitoes! My favorite path runs along a creek, and mosquitoes certainly love water.

But every time has its beauty, and this is a lush green beautiful time.

Posted on by Laura Lee

Lest I Forget

Lest I forget. Find beauty even in the quiet of a gloomy day. It’s there. Especially if love is there; I do not take anyone for granted.

Posted on by Laura Lee

Day 1 Adult Literacy Training Completed

Fantastic job by Literacy DuPage, part of Pro Literacy America. Professional. Cordial. Encouraging.

One interesting fact that came out is that several of the future tutors wish to tutor to WELCOME immigrants to America. To combat the negativeness of the tone toward immigrants. To let them know we welcome them.

We get matched with a student next week. Then two more training sessions until we are official literacy tutors.

We even get an official tote bag and card to identify ourselves at libraries where we will tutor.

Oh. These are all volunteers.

Well done. Well done. Seeing a positive side of this beloved America. I know there’s greatness there in her people.

More to follow. I’m exhausted!

Thanks for reading.

Posted on by Laura Lee

The Fen, Late Summer

A unique ecosystem, a gem. Fen-only plants and flowers along with what’s found in Illinois elsewhere. I don’t know the name of these plants and flowers, but I do know:

The colors have changed since we last visited. More reds, blues, purples.

We need rain. Toads looked too dry and searching for water.

All around us we heard skittering animals. Didn’t see them. Just heard hints of animal life.

The red winged blackbirds are no longer dive bombing from behind as we walked. Their wee birds must have flown the nests.

Next visit: early autumn.

Thanks for reading.