INSPIRED by mary anne radmacher

 Dear You, I am the ancient partner to the wide spaces of sea and sky. I adorn the crests and feathers of noble birds. I announce the arrival of many tropical fish. I bloom from soil and among the common, blooming warm colors, appear like magic. In spite of my breadth and longevity, there are many things I do not know, at least not with any certainty. And even more things that I cannot recall. Consider me and you. Did you come to the planet with the qualities of loyalty, wisdom, trust, confidence and intelligence? If so, would that explain why you were naturally, from the beginning, drawn to me? On the other hand, were all of your qualities so familiar and engaging that I naturally came alongside you? I can’t remember and perhaps it doesn’t matter. I do not know the origin of me being your favorite. I DO know that we do good work in the world together and we look good while doing it. Gratefully yours,  The Color Blue (Illustration from a series called “favorite col...

  Hello! Ta-da! It’s me, Surprise. Not a party this time, just another day. Another unusual, uncommon, unexpected, unfamiliar (extra)ordinary day. Surprise! See how I slipped in the extra into the ordinary? That’s how I roll. The more you look, the more extra you’ll see. I hear a lot of chatter about “things getting back to normal.” Oh, how that makes me laugh right out loud. Since I frequently host parties, I hate to be a party pooper (but!) “normal” is a figment of your imagination and your culture’s imagination. On this side of the cosmic window, it looks like a sense of “normal” brings comfort to people. I get that. Point of fact…Every. Single. Second. is unrepeatable. Sure, patterns can be identified but they do not support the concept of a normal, as much as they are steppingstones to understanding and insight. Surprise wraps around just about every breathing second. Just because you recognize a thing doesn’t make it normal, it just means you are becoming better acqua...

  Dear You, All Grown Up: We were young together. And now? We are old, apart. I was happy to give you shelter in our early years. It was endearing that you often tried to comfort me. My name, The Weeping Willow, led you to believe I was crying. Only as you grew did you realize my downward bend represented flexibility, not sorrow.  I whispered many truths to you in the moments you leaned against my trunk. - Spirituality is rooted but never fenced. - Leaves fall and they still have important work to do. - In between climbing, swinging and always trying to fly, time to pause and rest matters. All trees teach listening. You gave me the chance to do what I was put on earth to do. In that way you were shelter to me. You were a willing student in childhood and I am grateful to observe that you continue to learn. I know that there’ll come a time, time away from now, that we will again be shelter to one another. Until then, keep deepening those roots as well as your capac...

  To: Mary Ann Radmacher ( you were born without that “e” and we keep it that way) From: Innui Malaise, Supervisor , "Fancy Random Blahs" Department (FRBD) Dear Mary Ann, Be informed that as of midnight we are quitting you. We have repeatedly tried to resolve our operational differences throughout this entire last year. We found you far less cooperative than you have ever been. You’ll see in your permanent record an accounting of outstanding years when you completely responded to ALL the FRBD requests. The entire staff of FRBD are at a loss to explain your current, continuous resistance to all requisite protocols.  You, at every turn, have rebuffed even the smallest overture from a representative of the "Fancy Random Blahs" Department. Instead there was: the nutrition, the movement (dancing the worst), those mantras, the writing (the poetry most offensive), the dog - all that wagging and walking - an insult. But all that time in nature was our breaking point.  C...

  Dear You, I’ve been trying to get your attention for days now. Rolling around on your desk is not an easy activity for me. Still, you haven’t noticed. That nagging feeling that you get when you think you are forgetting something? THAT’S me! When I am in the realm of the forgotten task or more seriously considered, the forgotten promise, I can barely make a sound. You almost heard me the day before yesterday - but then you ended up thinking you remembered to buy that spice you needed for the sweet potato casserole. Good job, by the way, remembering that! I was just disappointed that it wasn’t me that you were also remembering. Last week you remembered to pack your good pal’s birthday present so there was a chance she would actually receive it by post in time for her birthday. I was proud of you for that. And it made me hopeful you would remember me next. Alas, no. Please take note that I am trying to reinforce the behaviors that I want to see more of. You are usually so good a...

 

  Dear Mary Anne Em Radmacher, I understand lengthy names mine being Anisoptera of the Odonata. You can call me Dragonfly.  My family and I have followed you a long time. Since we migrate globally, you have quite the worldwide reputation...your delight with us is legendary. We appreciate that you recognize all that we have to teach and all that we do. We take our position as the most efficient insect in the world very seriously and are proud of our ancestry - 300 million years gives us a lot of story to tell.  My reason for this note is more relevant to my immediate family and me. Your research has been noted and very much appreciated. I imagine you’ll deflect our thanks by saying it was all self interest that prompted you to plant all those Black-eyed Susan, Swamp Milkweed, and even the Joe Pye Weed. That sweet water feature was so thoughtful, too. Don’t worry about that water lily, they can be moody. I see you named your garden “Hunter’s Garden.” So perfect. We ...