17 Comments
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Rona Maynard's avatar

And with this thought, both hopeful and reverent, I step into my day. At home snow buries all things that will be green, but here in Me ico it’s a verdant world.

Leslie Rasmussen's avatar

Thank you Rona, I hope it was a wonderful day, full of green things and golden sun.

Marisol Muñoz-Kiehne's avatar

Worms in beans~seeds, cells

in seeds~roots, hormones in cells.

Life rocking her boat.

Leslie Rasmussen's avatar

Lovely Marisol, it feels like maybe we all should be rocking life's boat!

Aaliya's avatar

What a beautiful post. It’s fascinating how nature works! The anticipation of watching seeds grow is truly rewarding. ♥️

Leslie Rasmussen's avatar

Thank you! I keep being amazed by how intricate life is at every level, so connected. There really is a web.

Paulette Bodeman's avatar

This is such a hopeful and joyful post, Leslie. I remember the first time I held those jumping beans in my hands. Who knew about the deep connection to the seeds of life at that young age?

Leslie Rasmussen's avatar

Thanks Paulette. It seems I knew more ease and connection as a child than I know now as an adult—because I know more ‘stuff’ that can get in the way.

Paulette Bodeman's avatar

I know what you’re pointing to, Leslie. The clutter of my mind can disconnect me from the natural world.

Jeffrey Streeter's avatar

"They are alive, I say it out loud, here in the garden on my knees, humbled by the continuous creation, wanting to feel a perceptible vibration of the ancient web that pulses through all the life on earth without pause." I loved this, Leslie!

Leslie Rasmussen's avatar

Thanks so much Jeffrey. Today I'm watching it rain, this is our short, but very wet season.

Rosalind's avatar

Really lovely, thank you Leslie

Leslie Rasmussen's avatar

You're so welcome, Rosalind. I love hearing about your garden too.

Fran Johns's avatar

There is something elegantly comforting in this piece -- and in the reminder that we're all just tiny elements of that holy beautiful beyond. Thank you!

Leslie Rasmussen's avatar

You're welcome, Fran. Somehow the humbling immensity of the natural world calms me down. Sun up, sun down, we keep spinning along in spite of the crazy. It helps me let go of the big problems and look to the smaller ones, right here, next door where I can act and make a difference.

Cathy Joseph's avatar

I grew up Tucson and it was probably in grade school that I had the magical experience of holding Mexican Jumping Beans in my hand. In later years, I discovered the larva secret to their jumps which put a dent in the magic, but opened so many more wonderful questions. I didn't realize it was the heat of my hand that made them jump - thank you for that!

I fully agree that we are all connected and you illustrated that so beautifully. And anytime I can get a virtual tour of your magnificent garden is a gift. Loved this, Leslie!

Leslie Rasmussen's avatar

I know what you mean by the dent in the magic. I'm not sure how the jumping beans even got into the essay, I hadn't thought about them in years and years. In a later draft they just dropped in and suddenly there was a larger theme than I originally thought. I love the process of writing.