Many people think of a phoenix that’s rising from the ashes as a grown bird ablaze in all its glory.
jrvchamber.com
Nope! That’s not how it works.
It is true the phoenix is a powerful metaphor for overcoming challenges and emerging stronger on the other side. However, one must remember what form the phoenix takes upon its rebirth. The adult is not rising from the flames; it’s burning until it becomes a pile of ashes, from which it will emerge fresh and new…….and vulnerable.
deviantart.com
You have to admit that tattoos of baby birds wouldn’t be as powerful.
Why the chitchat about the mythical phoenix you might ask?
Well, five years ago I burst into flames and was reduced to a pile of ashes– a wobbly, incontinent, stuttering, constantly falling, cognitively-impaired pile of ashes that was one unsteady step away from a wheelchair.
Enter Doctor Mark Johnson of UMass Medical Center in Worcester, Massachusetts. He didn’t dismiss me as a neurotic old woman who needed to see a psychiatrist. (Yes, I’m talking about you Doctor Eugenia Blank and the eleven other doctors I saw who should have been able to diagnosis hydrocephalus since they were so-called ‘experts’. Sheesh.) Dr. Johnson diagnosed Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus and ordered surgery.
On April 10, 2024, Dr. Johnson installed an atrioventricular shunt in my head and, as they say, the rest is history. No more stuttering, no more wobbling or unsteady gait, no more cognitive impairment, no more peeing my pants (except when I sneeze but that’s a topic for another day).
April 10, 2024. The day I got my wings.
I won’t say I emerged from the ashes ready to take flight. It took some time to develop my wings but today, one year later, I’m soaring like the chimney swift I hope to be.
Chimney Swift (I’m coming back as one, you wait and see.)
So that’s my tale. One of determination in that I refused to believe ‘it’s all in your mind’; one of protection in that my son, sister, and friends were with me during those years of fighting the medical establishment’s perception of older women and their health; and one of bliss, as I fly to great heights.
The Ruby-throated hummingbirds are on their way back to their breeding ground here in the North. Get your nectar feeders ready and plant those zinnia seeds to welcome these jewels of the Avian world back into your yard.
Why zinnia seeds? Well, just look at the photo. Hummingbirds love zinnias.
But sugar water works too — sans the food coloring. No, no, no red coloring. Keep the nectar clear and pure. Just four parts boiled water (boiling the water helps to sterilize the water, helping to keep the nectar fresh longer) and one cup granulated sugar. Dissolve, cool, and fill.
No need to buy bottled nectar either. Save your money for an ant moat.
Don’t fill the feeder all the way unless you have hordes of hummers. The nectar is only good for one to two weeks, depending how hot the outside temperature is. I recommend having extra feeders on hand so you can take down one and while it’s being cleaned you have another feeder to put out. Easy, cheesy.
With a nod to George Harrison, it’s been a long, cold, lonely winter. The tender shoots will be sprouting soon, but with the thick coating of snow still on the ground I fear they might have a difficult time of it. But, here comes the sun. I feel its warmth when I raise my face to the sky, it feels like years since it’s been here.
March: A Month of Renewal and Nature’s Awakening
Today is the first day of March. In the early Roman calendar, I’m talking way, way back; 700 BCE time — March (or Martius) marked the first month of the calendar year. The vernal equinox occurred in March so it seemed like a good idea since spring marked the start of new beginnings. I myself would much rather have March mark the beginning of the new year instead of January.
Gardners know all about March. We’ve shaken off winter and are ready to line our windowsills with marigold seedlings and our coffee tables are strewn with catalogues; order forms having been submitted and necessary items on our lists; soil additives, plant food, stakes and ties, and perhaps a new bird feeder, or two.
Did you know that March is National Umbrella Month? It’s a stormy month, but with an umbrella in your hands, you’ll stay nice and dry.
Here are some other Mad-as-a-March Hatter facts:
March 3: Opposable Thumbs Day for Cats and Dogs
March 11: International Fanny Pack Day
March 13: National Ear Muff Day
March 16: National Panda Day
March 18: Send an email to Trump telling him to take a long walk off a short pier Day
March 23: World Meteorological Day
March 31: World Backup Day
Slipped one in without you even knowing it. Ha!
The Worm Moon is March’s full moon and this month there’ll be a total lunar eclipse, giving the moon its red coloring, making it a blood moon. The celestial event occurs on March 13. It’s been three years since we’ve had a total lunar eclipse, so get outside and make a wish.
A total lunar eclipse, the first since 2022, occurs this month. (Photo by STAN HONDA/AFP via Getty Images
According to Henry David Thoreau, Bluebirds were a sign that winter was waning.
March is the perfect month to make sure your nest boxes are clean and ready for springtime occupants.
Speaking of nest boxes — I bought myself a Birdfy Nest Box. (Yes, I should be saving my money but my anxiety level is quite high thanks to He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named and his sidekick.)
Any-hoooo, I spent a chunk of money and now I’m the proud owner of a nest-box-cam, or cam-nest-box.
I wonder if I can deduct the cost on my taxes as a medical expense? Trump Anxiety Disorder is real. Honest.
Okay, enough politics. Let’s get back to the sun. Hit it, George.
I received a wonderful gift– a Birdfy Smart Bird Feeder.
Birds not included.
I’m having a grand time with my new toy. Getting lots of cool pics while feeding my feathered friends.
Female Eastern Bluebird
Before I go any further, allow me to point out this post is not a paid endorsement. However, I have included a link if you want to check out the feeder. https://www.birdfy.com/
Okay, back to my cool pics captured with the dual lenses – wide-angle and smart-portrait.
American Robin
Birdfy products are made in China (Can you say tariffs?) but that’s okay with me. They’ve done a great job putting together a neat package, although it’s not cheap. Almost $300! Thank you, Bob.
Female Eastern Bluebird
Okay, on with the show!
Male Northern Cardinal
Tufted Titmouse
Male Northern Cardinal
Male Northern Cardinal
Tufted Titmouse
Bluejay
Mourning Dove
White-Breasted Nuthatch
Tufted Titmouse
White-Breasted Nuthatch
Carolina Wren
Male Northern Cardinal
Male Northern Cardinal
Male Northern Cardinal
Female Eastern Bluebird
Carolina Wren
Black-Capped Chickadee
Annoying Starling
Female Northern Cardinal
Tufted Titmouse
Battle Royale
Male Eastern Bluebird
House Finch
Female Eastern Bluebird
Female Eastern Bluebird
Female Eastern Bluebird
Male Northern Cardinal
Best Bird Butt 2025
Bluejay
Mourning Dove
Male Northern Cardinal
Carolina Wren
Male Eastern Bluebird
Female Eastern Bluebird
“I can fly!!”
Nasty Bluebirds
Male Eastern Bluebird
“Look Ma, no hands!”
Bluejay
Mourning Dove
Mourning Dove
Female Northern Cardinal
“Get off my feeder!”
Male Eastern Bluebird
Male Eastern Bluebird
In for a landing.
American Robin
Mourning Dove
Mourning Dove
Mourning Dove
Female Eastern Bluebird
Male Eastern Bluebird
Downy Woodpecker
Male Northern Cardinal
Carolina Wren
Bluejay
Sometimes I think the birds know the camera is there. Perhaps they like selfies as much as people do.
I love birds. Have I mentioned I’ll be coming back as a Chimney Swift? I have. Ok.
Pronounced EE-molc, Imbolc, which loosely translated means ewe’s milk or in the belly, is the celebration of light and the return of life, representing the halfway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. For those of us following the pagan path, Imbolc is the first day of spring, the day the Celtic goddess Brigid (pronounced Breed) wakes from her winter slumber. For half the year she’s been living in the underworld, perhaps knitting scarves or darning socks, but her return is the transformation from the crone of winter to the maiden of spring, and the beginning of new life. Imbolc is also the time when lambs give birth and their milk starts to flow, which ties in nicely with the whole ewe’s milk translation.
Imbolc dates back to early 10th century in the British Isles, pre-Christian Gaelic Ireland to be exact.. Back when online shopping wasn’t a thing and gardening catalogues hadn’t happened yet. All the people had to help them mark the seasons were the sun and moon, and lactating ewes.
Christians adopted Imbolc, changed the day by one, called it Candlemas, and bingo, a new saint, St. Brigid, was given to the people of the land as a replacement for the pagan goddess, Brigid. According to author Patti Wigington, “When Ireland converted to Christianity, it was hard to convince people to get rid of their old gods, so the church allowed them to worship the goddess Brigid as a saint – thus the creation of St. Brigid’s Day.” Here’s an interesting tidbit, the perpetual flame burning in most early Christian churches is likened to goddess Brigid’s fire.
As time passed a groundhog found his way in the mix and we got Groundhog Day.
No, not that Groundhog Day.Yup, that one.
Honoring Brigid includes the lighting of fires, or white candles, and embracing the sun’s rays, which can include perusing plant catalogues.
Another way to celebrate Imbolc is by making a milk-based food. Say, for example, baked custard.
Baked Custard
Ingredients
4 large eggs
3 cup cold evaporated skim milk (or regular whole milk if you’re not counting Calories)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla extract
A pinch of salt
Directions
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Combine all the ingredients in the bowl of a mixer and beat for about 15 seconds, or until well mixed. Pour mixture into ramekins or custard cups. Place the ramekins into a baking dish, and fill the dish with hot water up to a depth of about ¾”. Bake the custards for one hour. Remove from oven and allow to cool. Dust with nutmeg before serving.
Those of us in the Northern Hemisphere who follow the wheel of the seasons don’t need a groundhog (though they are very cute) to know the sun is returning to bring warmth to us once again. A few buds might be seen on the trees and, if there wasn’t a foot of snow on the ground, one might see some crocus flowers as well. Alas, today the goddess is wearing a cloak of winter white instead of her vibrant green.
One common Imbolc ritual is a deep cleansing of the body and home and an offering of milk, to represent the awakening seeds. I won’t lie and write that my house is clean and I only have almond milk. Hopefully, Brigid is forgiving and will accept my white candles, dirty kitchen floor, and offering of cracked corn. At least the ducks were grateful.
Blessed Imbolc to you and may the seeds of spring grow in your heart. Blessed be :]
There’s a biblical story that tells about Joshua and the walled city of Jericho. He was instructed to march around Jericho’s walls once a day, for six days, and seven times on the seventh day. As they marched, the priests blow trumpets.
I’m not sure what caused the walls to crumbled. Was it the vibrations from all the trumpets or the wind caused by all those guys blowing out fetid air through their mouths (come on, no one back then cleaned their teeth)? Or was it a miracle?
I guess we’ll never know but I do know one thing–it was the wind that took down my walls.
Wind gusts of over 50 mph and my walls came tumbling down. No trumpets; no heavily robed priests.
Just wind.
Unlike the fable of Joshua, no Israelites invaded my yard and no curse was placed on my home.
My trusted carpenter, Choppy, came over the next day and rebuilt my walls. Ensuring my yard’s safety from invading armies.
Ahh, I bet you think I made a mistake. ‘River Lady, a Black Moon! You meant to write Blue Moon, correct?’
Nope.
A Black Moon is the second new moon of the month and tonight is the night. December 30, 2024.
Okay, we’ve straightened that out, now let’s move on to what makes a Black Moon special — because it’s rare. The last time a Black Moon occurred was in August 2022, and there won’t be another one until May of 2026.
You won’t be able to see the Black Moon, however, because just like all new moons, the earth is between the moon and the sun.
Unless moon-men have their lights turned on, the moon is too dark to see.
See?
To continue, new moons are powerful moon phases. Not only are they ideal for skywatching, but they allow for new beginnings.
As the moon waxes, we have the opportunity to welcome growth into our lives.
And Black Moons are the most powerful of new moons.
Some serious growth is coming your way, if you only take the time to sit, reflect, and ask.
I like to use a specially colored candle for my new moon rituals.
Here’s a guide of the colors you can choose and their meanings.
White is always a good go-to if you don’t have a tinted candle.
So, grab a scrap of paper, and write down your strongest intention for the coming lunar cycle. Be it a desire for a new job, love, healing, or abundance; the universe is yours for the asking. When the darkness of moon is upon you, visualize what you have written, light the paper, and allow the smoke to carry your intention up to the moon.
Not much I can do about it. Can’t freeze time like some superhero or time travel like Christopher Reeve did in the movie Somewhere in Time. Good movie. Sooooooo romantic.
Jane Seymour and Christopher Reeve
Back to my old bag of tired bones.
It’s been a heck of a year since my last birthday; the highlight being my shunt surgery, among other things which I will go into in another post.
I just wanted to check in and tell you about my birthday. In leu of gifts, please donate to Ovations for the Cure to support ovarian cancer research.
concordriverlady.com 
