April Reflections

1.  Lilacs

Lavender cascade from white porcelain

Set upon embroidered cloth

Sweetness fills the air with sunlight

Fragrance opening a door

To the rooms and faces I have known

Frame houses and wheat fields showing first green

Dark lacquered parlors on a Sunday afternoon

Loving voices speaking, smiling, gesturing with their hands

Beyond the windows, Great lilac hedges outpour extravagance

“Take some” – “Take all you can use” – “They won't last long”

Lilacs in blossom

Another time

Traffic scene - Jostling sidewalk

Two dollars a bunch

Don't touch, Buy this one

Sedate clusters

Four perfect petals

Sweetness

Sadness

They offer a way that I cannot pass

But I relish being tantalized!

J. Zlatnik 1992

Spring is a sequence of one grand flowering after the next - these are 6 foot tall Tower of Jewels

2. April Sex : It is the season of extreme anxiety for the nervous male mocking bird in my backyard.  He flies the perimeter of his territory eyeing any interlopers.  The sweet music he sings is a statement to all who can hear...”This space is taken, and this is where my mate and I will have our nest and raise our young... everybody else stay out.”  He sings without rest – and he get easily irritated as the time of nesting comes near... He fears that some jerk Mockingbird may try to pick up ‘his cute female’.

Water birds - some migratory - some who stay...gathering to find a mate!

Regular as clockwork – as night comes on the frogs take over.  So tiny, yet so expressive.  I suppose if I were a little girl frog I would fall head over heals in love with the froggy with the loudest voice and head in that direction. I am no expert in frog language but I think that they feel very urgently about their message.

Wind flow is also complicated by flowing over a turning Earth - Coriolis Effect..  http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/encyclopedia/coriolis-effect/?ar_a=1

3. Spring Wind: When the cold wind blows and the wild oats are as high as my head, great surges of passing air force each oat stalk in the field to submit as the gust passes through– The oats respond in smooth rhythmic waves– the wind is made perfectly visible with each passing blast.

Wind is rare in this location – When wind first starts to blow it is exhilarating – but when it continues it makes me feel edgy– especially cold north wind does.  I feel like the mockingbird – I get irritated by it and want it to stop.  Wind happens when air masses move into position so that a cold dense air mass is adjacent to a warmer low density air mass... its just like a tire pump with high pressure air on the inside and lower pressure air on the outside – the air flows from high pressure to low... wind continues until the pressure is equalized or the air masses move apart.

Field of ripened wild oats

4.  Wild Oats: It is the time for oats to transition from green to tawny –It is the season of seed ripening, they break free and, trailing their wings, they travel like little darts – traveling distances from the mother plant...There they must wait through the long days of heat and extreme dryness Some will survive the hungry mice, mourning doves,  and other nibbely  critters until the rains of next fall. Wild oats are not a California native but were introduced from Europe during the time of the great California Rancheros, from the early Spanish when California was part of Mexico.  It is a classic case of an exotic plant that has crowding out native grasses because they fit so will in this niche.

Green wild oats

5.  Ants - Our winter has been a bust... all the rain in January - February – March wouldn’t fill a teacup... the soil is dry and dusty –and people have to water their plants to keep them alive.   And the end of the season is at hand – no more rain until next November...  I was noticing that ants have become quite rare lately – and I wonder if this is due to the lack of moisture. I was quite excited today to see a colony and realized how they have virtually disappeared.     We have had no ant invasions in our home for two years now...  Why? is it the dryness or something else...? Everybody can do informal research - and this is a topic that I will be watching... ( its not that I have any love for these pesky insects, but any chance in pattern like this is of interest... )

Early Spring in Yosemite Valley

When  things get too busy, sometimes we feel like we need to get away for a few days – Spring break was the perfect excuse!  Judy and I found that it was possible to reserve a tent cabin in Yosemite Valley for 3 nights last week– and we jumped on it. This time of year – spring is just emerging in the valley – the crowds are small – and the waterfalls are at their peak.  There are still patches of snow – but new buds are emerging.  There are some trails that are just too hot  (and crowded) to enjoy in the summer time – but now they were a delight.

A brooding half dome - late evening - cloudy

Most all the people who stay in the unheated tents gather in the evenings  in the  rustic lounge.  There is a big warm fire in the stone fireplace, and plenty of comfortable chairs and couches.  It is conducive to starting conversations with strangers and making new friends.  Yosemite valley draws such an international group of visitors – It is a veritable gathering of world cultures…  It is a place to share Yosemite adventures and to learn about excursions yet untaken. 

Yosemite falls from "half way up"

I have explored most all the trails and byways of Yosemite Valley– but each visit brings surprises.  While Judy read a good book I set out on the first morning on a modest trek… The mighty Yosemite falls has two levels – there is a flat trail to the base of the lower falls and a moderate steep hike to the base of the larger falls.  The trail was cool and pleasant – there were Ravens calling and little brown birds that I couldn’t identify… there were quite a large number of millipedes more than 4 inches in length with rhythmic leg motions that ran the length of their bodies.  But was specially interesting to me was the emergence of new life in each small seep or meadow… the winter is past…

Base of Yosemite falls, ice mass, mist....

The trail is an engineering marvel in itself – with steps and inset granite stones marking all the difficult stretches… Probably this work goes back into the 1920’s…After a steep climb 2 hour climb there is a long traverse above the rocks to a corner that turns back toward the falls – and suddenly – there it is – A great free falling of water, hurling great clouds of mist into the air…

Ice mass at base of Yosemite Falls - composed on frozen mist.... See photo below to get a sense of the size!

 The freezing temperatures of winter have created a massive body of ice at the base of the falls.   The ice has collapsed under its own weight to form a pattern of concentric layers  This is a site to sit and meditate upon and not rush …  The sense of easy conversations continues on the trail.  It is amazing how much information it is possible to exchange in a 3 minute trail break!

Merced River in the last week of March

The next day Judy and I took a picnic and walked along the Merced River that flows the length  of the valley.  At one point the merger of the river and a side stream that flows away from the Yosemite falls trapped us.   The merger formed a magically peninsula – a place to remember and visit again.   On we wandered exploring parts of the river community that we had never seen before – There were sprouting meadows, oak forests home to races wood peckers (who had filled the tree trunks with storage holes for acorns), we encountered a beautiful  coyote in his winter coat and bushy tail – quite happy to coexist with people.

Route to the top of Yosemite falls ( I've done it twice - but not this year...)

This time of year the most spectacular aspect of Yosemite Valley is the constantly interplay of rock, light, falling water, and clouds.    Half dome, the lost needle, royal arches, the massive fallen boulders on the valley floor, Glacier Point, massive El Capitan… each  has its time of day… Light makes all the difference – Good photos are about light and shadows.

One of the great Yosemite meadows waiting to sprout green- perennial grasses

The waterfalls were quite good right now .  Some of the falls will be reduced to a trickle on a dry year like this. But enough of the upper snow pack is melting to maintain a good flow.  I have never seen ‘Ribbon Falls’ – its hard to see unless you are directly below – but I found a great vantage point across the valley – only problem is that it doesn’t really show the magnitude of the falls.  Vernal and Nevada falls were in full flow… passing over the many rocks of ‘Happy isles’ below.

Ribbon falls - from across the valley - this falls free practically the full depth of the valley...Note trees at bottom for scale...

There are fine groves of ‘big trees’ – "Sequoia Gigantia" – one grove had badly damaged by fire a few years back – other grove is quite inaccessible and requires a long hike- but this trip we learned about another grove near ‘White Wolf’ with a good trail (bit steep) that we will have to leave until next time.  There are always new adventures to discover in Yosemite.

The Valley was a favorite site for Native Americans before the arrival of Americans...

12 reasons why I love spring!

1.     The surprise of discovering the first swallows of Spring – wheeling and diving above the river.

Swallows

2.     Waking in the night to the pure notes of a Mockingbird inventing new tone patterns – I dont even mind being awakened for such a concert! (click on to open)

http://www.birdjam.com/birdsong.php?id=4

3.     The overnight surprise of a new patch of California poppies suddenly in full bloom

California poppies

4.     Finding the first buds of springtime forming on my fig tree.

Fig tree bud

5.     Coming on to a field of wild turkeys - with the males on full display of their tail feathers!

native turkeys

6.      Seeing the great delight of my dogs when I announce that  we are going for a walk.

Rusty - Willy - Roxy

7.     The sounds of grebes on the lake having a night time conversation when they think they are all alone. ( Click on to open - then select sound recording)

 http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/western_grebe/sounds

Grebes

8.     Each spring flower in turn: first the pussy willows, then snow bells and forget me nots, the daffodils, then Tulips, and Iris, followed by Lilac, and the Peonies...Each in its season, then making way for what comes next.

9.     The first monarch butterfly driffing without effort in the gentle air.

manarch butterfly

10.Ripples of wind traveling through a field of ripe wild oats...(already headed and turning dry)

field of wild oats

11.At twilight the Pacific Tree frogs begin their song – so much sound from such a tiny frog!

Tree frog

12.Planting tomato plants with a mixture of hope and fear...It might still frost... the dogs may lie right in their midst!

Tomato seedling

How do I say what I mean?

Photos by Henri Cartier-Bresson - showing people in conversation

Thoughts are generated in the cerebral cortex of our brains and, if we choose to communicate the idea, it us routed to a part of the brain that translates pure thought into words (this depends on which language you choose to use); we also must select particular words that we think will most accurately express what we are thinking to this particular person or group.

Shocking Gossip!

 The sequence of words may be sent to the part of the brain that controls speech – and there the sequence of words is translated into muscle contractions of the larynx. (We have to force air out of our lungs to vibrate the larynx in form the words.)  But that’s not all – timing of the words and emotional emphasis must be conveyed with the words as well.

Regions of the external brain

Another option is for the sequence of words to be translated into finger muscle actions as we write with a pen or keyboard.  When you write do you find yourself selecting words to better explain your thought? This involves complex feedback with the cerebral cortex. Don’t forget the grammar system and syntax we choose to use to communicate in different settings. I have seen students that talk to their friends on break using “inner city slang” and then coming into class, they use “the Kings English” when they are in a classroom discussion.  Choices have been made...

Street conversation

Truly one of the most magical things on Earth is a conversation between people – a sharing of ideas from one brain to the other... passing through this complex process of speech!

Discussion between person in power with person lacking power

Words are often imperfect vehicles for communicating the ideas that we have in mind.  And the most serious problem with words in that many of them carry with them such “baggage” – that our original idea may get muddled by the different associations that people have with critical words.

Difference of opinion

The associations that we have are built by our history of experiences, the people that we admire; the lessons taught us by powerful people in our lives.  Once established, these associations are very persistent and slow to change.

Take a simple word like  “taxes” and it triggers powerful feelings.  Consider the words “ firearm background check” – and I suspect that is enough to make you want to share your opinion and perhaps defend your position.

We can filter out extraneous conversations to concentrate on the one of importance at the time!

In matters of faith many words have such powerful “baggage” that we may lose the original intent of the word.  For one person, the word “repent” means to tell your sins to the Priest and to receive absolution, for another it may mean to realize when I am engaged in unproductive things in your life and need to “turn around”. Sadly churches become separated from each other over the very issues that should draw us together.

Receiving a blessing

For some, our concept of God brings to mind a Physical Monarch Male located in a distant place.  Other well meaning Christians see God as a spirit whose presence is evident in all of creation. Some see God as being present in three manifestations.( Father, Son, Holy Ghost)

In schools the same disconnect often happens.  Does “to learn,” mean that the person has memorized the same words found in the text or lecture... or does "to learn" mean that the person understands the basic concept and can apply it in a variety of situations.  Whole school systems are built around one or the other concept.

Friends

Historically think how our response to the word ‘disease ‘has changed... is a sickness explained as a punishment for past sins, it is caused by exposure to night air or moon light, by evil spirits or witches in our midst, or it is caused by ‘germs’– and more precisely what kind of microorganism – virus, bacteria, fungus,  or prion... and what vector is involved in its transfer?  ... How about genetic information?

I haven't even mentioned  such words as Evolution, Gays and Lesbians, Guns, Marijuana, Middle School students, Welfare State, Immigration, Rap Music, MacDonald's food,  Racial groups, The Iraq War...  I suspect that each word triggers strong associations with most of us - and we are ready to defend our positions...

Language as a tool of repression

Our use of language is fraught with land mines when we attempt to communicate ideas that are important to us.  Each word we choose may set off a stream of thoughts and responses in “the other” far different from out intention. 

Language to teach children

The sad thing is that we each get locked into our positions and become ‘hell bent’ on depending our belief rather than seeking to understand the whole business of meaning – the influences that shaped each of us- and the incredible beauty of humans attempting to share meaning with each other.

Language between the boss and the worker

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