There is an art to floating just a few feet above the waves of life. And that art is definitely, a work in progress for me. This past year was a difficult one as it was for most of us. My goal this year is to try to keep a healthy perspective - flying above and beyond it all, so to speak.
We will see how long this lofty goal lasts, LOL! I’ll keep you posted.
-Diane
Happy New Year, everyone.
May we soar beyond stormy skies in this new year of our lives.
- Diane
For several years now, I have repeated in exasperation: We can’t continue on this path of greed and destruction of the natural landscape. It is unsustainable. We need to STOP this. We need a thunderclap!
The other morning, my husband looked at me and said, “Well, Diane, you got your thunderclap.”
I winced. I certainly didn’t want this - a highly contagious virus spreading death and upheaval and immense sorrow around the world. What I did want was climate change to be recognized and greed to stop and more compassion, tolerance and kindness shared among ALL of us.
But here we are in this very troubling time. I find myself in disbelief and grief. I passionately plead to family and friends to be safe and just stay home. I readily admit, I am scared for all of us.
We are living in a crisis. But all crisis’ can provide deep insight into ourselves and our society if we take the time to reflect upon them. But will we? Will we take personal time to wonder why this virus showed up, why there was a pandemic and why so many had to die? Will we ask why so many recent floods and fires? Will we ask ourselves the very difficult question: Are we or any of our actions responsible for it?
I believe we will have the chance to change our ways and make this a better world if we choose to, but will we? I don’t have the answers to my own questions but as David Quammen said in his interview with Emmanuel Vaughan-Lee in the podcast, Shaking the Viral Tree, I am hopeful.
I encourage all of you to listen to this podcast. It is not only scientifically informative but also insightful about how we have landed in this pandemic and what we can do to help prevent more of them.
In these sad, scary times, I remain HOPEFUL! Be well everyone, stay safe and LOVE each other.
- Diane
“If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change.”
Mahatma Gandhi
As the summer fog settles in
for the long while,
everything takes on a mystical,
antiquated feeling of awe —
I cherish these days.
- Diane
When all the drifting memories fade,
we will fly away together, forever —
you and me and the big beautiful sea.
- Diane
A storm is brewing in my psyche. It’s whipping up waves and making me seasick. What is to become of our environment under the umbrella of the newly elected president and his appointees? Will all that has been environmentally gained, be lost? Will we, who respect and revere and honor nature, have a voice? Will we be able to protect our greatest natural resources… the wide, open and beautiful landscapes and seascapes, the wildlife, the air, the water, ourselves? Will we?
As a collective, I believe we can make a difference. But it will take action, any action. Whether it be in talking to your family, neighbors and community about what you see happening, donating to your favorite environmental agency, posting on blogs, writing on social media or even staging protests — any and all of it could possibly make a difference. I certainly am going to try to have my voice heard. I hope you will too.
— Diane
While it's not been a huge El Niño year here in California, the much needed winter storms have not left the San Mateo coast unscathed. The rising seas and high waves have battered the already crumbling bluffs and left some worse for the ware. Washed ashore was this leaning vessel, no doubt waiting for hide tides to return it to it's natural buoyancy!
- Diane
the more we are tossed and tumbled, the more the mystery is revealed…
such is the curse and the gift of being alive
- Diane Varner
In the far distance, the sea calls the solitary soul to sail upon her.
— Diane Varner
