Swan Sanctuary

Tiny houses have become all the rage. They are clever in that they make maximum use out of minimum space. They can be moved on wheels to most any location. They are cute and even inviting; but they are not for everybody. Seniors, and some younger people, have taken to living in motorhomes and travelling to any place where they can find work. This makes a lot of sense, given the overcrowding in our world; but I prefer to remain stationary. My houseplants alone are too large for a tiny house. Unless I could situate my garden on the roof, a tiny house would be of little use to me. I would also have the problem of where to store my gardening tools and numerous plant pots; so I would need to add a storage shed on one side, and a greenhouse for starting seeds on the other. Growing plants from seed requires space and light. It seems to me that living in a tiny house is only slightly better than camping, which is something I have never cared for. 

The second huge problem with a tiny house is that cooking in them would be way too challenging. For someone who does not mind eating soup from a can, or warming pre-packaged dinners in a microwave, this kind of life would be acceptable; but for someone, like me, who makes every meal almost entirely from scratch, it simply would not do. A real cook comes with a boatload of necessary measuring implements and mixing bowls and pans for sautéing, simmering, frying, baking, and broiling. Dishes and numerous eating utensils are required for the serving of home cooked meals. And, don’t forget the pantry, which must also be well stocked. Finally, a kitchen must have ample counter space in order to create fabulous meals.

Another major problem with a tiny house, is that people who are claustrophobic do not tolerate small spaces well. Being confined in any way, causes me great anxiety. For example, my shoes must be large enough that I can wiggle my toes. Nightgowns, which tend to twist around my body while I am sleeping, are not a part of my wardrobe. Just like a cat, I need to know where my exits are and where I can most easily escape through them, should the need arise. 

I am happy that tiny houses are appealing to some people. They provide an option for those facing homelessness. While I, myself, require only a modest, simple home, I recognize my need for ample space. I can write from anywhere; but I am more than just a writer. I am a gardener and a homemaker, which requires all that I have mentioned above, as well as a bathtub, which I could not live without. Beyond all of our personal preferences; however, we must realize that Earth is home to all of us and wherever we live and whatever style of house we choose, it is our responsibility to care for it.

People who spend most of their time away from home, or sleeping whenever they are at home, are not especially concerned about the windows or amount of light in their home. I have spent much of my time indoors, so being able to look out is right up there in importance, with having a front porch. Light is something I have alway intuitively known was important to me – even before the discovery of SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). I have always had numerous houseplants, which also require vast amounts of light. A sunroom, along with skylights, is a wonderful thing to have; however, I want to have windows and bountiful light in all of my rooms. In fact, living in a greenhouse would suit me just fine.

Light is important in more ways than just our physical well-being. It is often synonymous with the source of all life, which is why many ancient cultures worshipped the sun. They say that the eyes are windows to the soul. When we look deeply into someone’s eyes, while listening to them, we are able to hear a deeper meaning beyond the words. If we observe the pain in another, we can perceive the light that is their essence and this leads to understanding and to empathy, Too often, our conversations are trivial and we allow ourselves to be distracted when others are speaking to us. If we make it a practise to really listen to others, mind chatter and judgement fall away. The  window of acceptance is opened.

When we open ourselves up to becoming the vessels through which light can shine, we find that life’s challenges are more easily overcome. The light shines upon our path, leading us to new discoveries and opening the windows of opportunity. If we are perceiving darkness in our world, we can remember that (science has shown) darkness is merely the absence of light. We must all allow our inner light to shine a little brighter in these dark times.

A front porch, as I talked about in yesterday’s blog, is an essential element of a truly inviting home. A screened-in porch also adds tremendous appeal. Screens did not become widely available until the 1880’s, when they began to be used for enclosing porches. The enclosed veranda, as it was often called in the south, could be on the front, back, or sides of a house. The second story porches, known as balconies, usually led out from a bedroom and could be screened in as well. The screened-in porch was also referred to as a sleeping room since it provided a cool place to spend the night before the arrival of air conditioning. The main advantage of a screened-in porch was to allow enjoyment of the outdoors without the irritation of biting insects. It also gave one protection from the breezes that might otherwise carry away things like napkins and writing tablets. 

The screened-in porch is a more common sight on the east coast and in the south. Here in the midwest, they are seldom seen; although I have been outdoors many an evening when my body became a banquet for the mosquitoes. I have never been to the west coast so I am unable to remark on the architecture there. I spend a lot of time outdoors, so a screened porch is another vital element to a home of my choosing. I had a screened-in porch when I began Swan Sanctuary, where I could sit and look out over the pond. It was the perfect place to observe the visiting wildlife, like green herons, kingfishers, turkey vultures, and of course, the swans. My bird feeders were located halfway between the pond and the house where I also had a ground level birdbath. At dusk I would watch a skunk make her way across the yard, stopping to hydrate herself before ambling towards my neighbor’s property. A porch that has been screened in is the next best thing to a blind whenever you want to observe birds or other wildlife. Prior to moving into my home, I was cleaning off the outdoor wicker loveseat, when I found a cocoon attached to the underside of the arm. I placed the cocoon in a box with a branch and leaf litter. When I moved into my new home, I set it out on the screened-in porch. On a pleasant evening the following spring, a beautiful cecropia moth emerged and began flying about. I carefully caught it in a butterfly net and released it into the night. 

It is a popular practise here in the midwest to build homes with multi-level decks. In most cases they have no roof, no protection of any kind from the elements. The intensity of the sun deteriorates them quickly if they are not maintained. I have never been able to see the allure of a deck. I will take a screened porch with a roof (and possibly a skylight) over a deck any day!

I love walking or bicycling through neighborhoods, observing front yards. The curb appeal, or lack thereof, speaks volumes about the people living beyond the front door. There are yards that have only a monoculture of grass with neatly trimmed edges, but not a single tree or shrub to add interest. These yards have about as much appeal as a prison yard without the fencing. Occasionally, you see a yard that looks like a flea market in progress, so overdone with yard art and paraphernalia, that you take a second look to determine if they might be having a garage sale. Many yards portray only a sad appearance of neglect. The remaining yards fall in between professionally landscaped, which often look unnaturally perfect – and those which obviously have a gardener in residence, whose love spills out into the numerous plantings and is evidenced by the presence of wildlife. 

In my way of thinking, a home begins at the property line. From the moment a visitor steps out of his car and sets a foot on your property, the tone is set for what will be seen inside the front door. In times past, the front porch served as a kind of neutral space – a place where you could exchange words with a stranger before deciding if it was safe to invite him in. A front porch was essential then for many reasons. Prior to air conditioning, it was a place where the family could relax and cool down in the evening, and wave hello to neighbors passing by. It was a place where a portion of the dirt from outside could be left, before entering the home itself, and it provided protection from downpours whilst you opened your umbrella. 

Between the 1880’s and the 1920’s, porches became an important feature, especially in the south. Many homes were built with porches wrapping around them, or with two story porches. Homemakers of the time realized the importance of this kind of pre-room that visitors would pass through before entering the front door. Porches were decked out in seating, from straight-backed chairs, rocking chairs, wicker chairs, love seats, and swings – with or without cushions. These were made more alluring by the addition of potted plants and flowers, and large ferns that hung from the roof, their long fronds dancing in the breeze. Sadly, with the dawn of industrialization, fewer homes were built with front porches. People were drawn inside, to their televisions; and as more people could afford automobiles, spending more time away from home, garages surpassed porches in desirability. Homeowners gravitated to the back yard secluding themselves from their neighbors. 

I cannot imagine having a home without a front porch. More homes are now being built with a renewed appreciation for the front porch. Our lives are changing yet again, due to COVD19. The ability, if not the necessity, for people working from home, is becoming our new reality. Is it possible that the resurgence of porches will reunite us with our neighbors, giving us a new sense of connectedness in a world where we have been so disconnected?

It does not make sense to me, that when we have made so many advances in science and attained measurable strides of understanding about the world we live in, that superstition still prevails. I have observed in my own life that on previous “friday the thirteenths”, I often had better than average days. Maybe thirteen is a lucky number for me, but I do believe we make our own luck. Years ago, I dated a man who had a habit of saying, “If it weren’t for bad luck, I’d have no luck at all.” I am grateful to have learned the power of my own words and I avoid saying anything that will become a self-fulfilling prophecy – unless it is something I want to experience. 

The number of superstitious people is larger than you might expect. Many high rise buildings do not have a thirteenth floor because superstitious people would refuse to stay there. There are numerous suppositions, based on historical events; but there is no single event that is the basis for the irrational fear of the number thirteen. It’s only a number, after all. According to numerology, which is somewhat scientific, all two digit numbers are reduced to the numbers one through nine. The science of numbers then tells us that the number thirteen reduces to a four, which represents stability and order. Thirteen is also the number associated with the Death card in Tarot. Those who are unfamiliar with this teaching, see the Death card as ominous and as a bearer of bad news. In actuality, it is a signal that change is imminent. Change is a constant element of life on earth. If we view change with fear and trepidation, we sabotage our chance to experience something better. When we accept change without reservations, it can open doors of opportunity. The astrological sign attributed to the Death card in Tarot, is Scorpio. Scorpio transforms substance, giving it new life. 

Clearly, the human race is undergoing major shifts at this point in time. We are in the midst of a metamorphosis on a global scale. This has nothing to do with luck, either good or bad. It is the growing pains of our race consciousness and we are being re-birthed into a more aware, more empathetic, and wiser species of human.

As I was gazing out my window this morning, taking in the wondrous relationship between the trees and the hundreds of birds that hang out in them, I was struck by the thought of our many primate cousins, that also live in trees. Large tree trunks, combined with phenomenal strength, provide the perfect support and safety that tree-dwelling species require to avoid most predators. Trees, birds, and insects have worked out an agreeable system that benefits them all. We use trees to build our homes as well; but we cut them down and kill them in order to do so. The tree is not benefited and we lose out on the view we might have. Treehouses are nothing new, but until recently, they were built primarily to entertain children.

Today, tree houses are not just for kids. Innovative builders have created tree homes for adults. Some of them are incredibly beautiful and artistically designed. The cost to build them is considerably less expensive than a traditional brick and mortar or framed house. Most treehouses are built between six and twelve feet off the ground, which allows for many of them to make use of solar energy. If you live in an area that is prone to flooding, a treehouse makes perfect sense. Where there are neighboring trees, the presence of foliage during the warmer months provides privacy. The space below the treehouse can be utilized as a yard, or other space, so one is not limited to a front yard and a back yard. When treehouses are built in strong, healthy trees, like oak or maple, and built with respect for the tree, the few wounds that are made by the hardware, heal over – just like our skin. 

There seems to be a desire of many people, to live up and off the ground. High rise buildings dot major cities all over our entire planet. Scientists have shown us that by planting enough trees, we can eliminate most greenhouse gases within a short time. If we began to build more homes in the trees, it may be possible to return our planet to its former beauty, over time. If we lived in trees, how might that change our perspective and our willingness to live harmoniously with nature? It is exciting to think about. If I live long enough and if I can find the means to do so, I want my next home to be a treehouse!

Most of us, who are alive today in the United States, have never had to experience the brutality and frightening reality of living in the midst of war. Veterans who have fought in Vietnam and other foreign wars have witnessed unimaginable atrocities. We have seen on our televisions through live footage, and in re-enacted films, the devastation and ugly aftermath of war torn countries; but we have not had to experience it on our own soil. We have not had to fight our neighbors or family members because of differences in our ideologies. 

I continue to pray for peace in our country and in the world, as I know many others do. We are on edge due to the current president’s refusal to concede the election. He has sequestered himself in the White House, consumed with anger and obsessed with tweeting his defiance, in what is a losing battle. Legally, he does not have a leg to stand on. President-Elect Joe Biden won fair and square. The damage that Trump can yet do in these remaining days should cause us concern. Our country could not be more vulnerable than it is at this moment in time. He is trying to draw our attention away from the importance of national security and from our greatest threat – COVID-19. He is igniting the unrest and civil disobedience that he, himself, has professed to disdain. He is a man who is capable of great evil and he will not be pacified. A wiser man would retreat to lick his wounds and fade away; but I fear the only thing that can stop him is his death.

Thankfully, Joe Biden is experienced, calm, focused, and steady. He has already taken the reins to prevent the runaway of our country’s values. He is providing the American people with the assurance that a loving father would give his child. He and Kamala Harris will lead us out of the dark forest in which we have been lost for the preceding four years. They will lead us away from potential war, to peace. They will lead us into the Light.

 I felt great relief and gratitude on Saturday evening when the Associated Press announced that Joe Biden had won the election. I listened to the victory speeches and I was touched by the words of Kamala Harris, for whom my respect is growing. She gives so much hope to women. Joe Biden is a good human being. I have listened to him a lot; and when you can listen to someone and look into their eyes and truly hear what they are saying, you get a sense about them. He is sincere. Still, I have felt a dreariness and gloom dampening my spirits today, only partly due to the cloudy sky. I feel sorry for Trump, in a way, because he has never learned how to be a gracious loser. His public tantrums, mostly via Twitter, and his refusal to concede the election are only making these times more difficult for everyone. I am pretty good at separating fact from fiction; and most of the time I have been able to differentiate the truth from the fake news. The lies that had been spread about Biden, Clinton, and the Democratic Party being involved in some nefarious sex ring, was clearly made up in an attempt to tarnish their reputations. This is the kind of behavior that is seen in teenagers, when out of pure meanness, one student will invent lies to hurt another. For the past few years we have had a child in the White House – someone who has refused to grow up and act like an adult. During the impeachment hearings last summer, I had hoped that his wife would step up and testify against him. Yesterday I read that she had advised him to concede; and today I read that she is asking him for a divorce. I have not verified the truth of either, but I can think of no other person who might have any influence over him. Maybe she has had enough of him, as well.

A while back I received a free local newspaper in my mailbox and a sales pitch asking me to buy a subscription. Two days after the election, I received another. This issue was twice as thick and I suspect, financially supported by Trump’s loyal followers. The front page blared an “exclusive” about Hunter Biden’s alleged financial ties to the Chinese Communist party. It was continued on two full pages of the paper. Even if it were true, it is not Hunter Biden, but Joe Biden who is our president-elect. Also beginning on page one, was an article about “ballot harvesting”, obviously written to add to Trump’s paranoia about the election being ”unfair”. In the unlikely scenario that Trump had won the election, I am sure he would confirm that the voting system was working just fine. According to the news reports and the law experts, there is no basis or proof that the voting process was compromised in any way. Trump’s lawsuits and lashing out are just wasting everybody’s time. He could save himself a lot of embarrassment, if he would just concede. As if that weren’t enough to grab your attention, there was a section on Amy Coney Barrett, newly appointed Supreme Court Justice, and a professed pro-lifer who is a threat to women’s rights.

Meanwhile, we seem to be hanging in the balance as we wait for the election issues to be sorted out and wait for COVID-19 to be brought under control. Thanksgiving and the holidays are drawing near and uncertainty fills many of our days. Thankfully, with Joe and Kamala now elected, it feels like there may be light at the end of the tunnel. On a positive note, the Biden’s have two dogs that will accompany them to the White House – German Shepherds – and one of them is a rescue. (Trump, apparently, does not like animals or children.)