In Defence Of Spiders

In Defence Of Spiders

Hugh – A Little Life Observed

In Defence Of Spiders – I walked out my kitchen door one evening in early September. It was a warm, muggy night – made a little less so by the recent rain shower. I paused in front of a spider’s web – coated with fine, glistening water droplets. It was intricate and lacey and lovely and it made me smile. The web was suspended from one of my hanging summer plants and anchored in a number of places along the top of my garden rocking chair. The creator of this magical web of spun silk was absent. I wondered what twist of fate had led this spider to spin his fragile web in such an open, unprotected space in my garden.

The Fifth Season

The Fifth Season

Was Declared – Not By A Creator – But By Mankind

The Fifth Season – Regardless of where you live in the world, there are four seasons. Some climates are more moderate than others and don’t see the same shifts in weather that we do in Canada. Here we see the beautiful, soft fresh greens of new life and an emerging spring, followed by the rich full summer of mature, flowering plants and warm summer nights. Fall gives us a bountiful harvest and the promise of rest and quiet. Winter coats the landscape with crisp, sparkling snow. Cold, north winds howl at the door and make us grateful for a crackling fire and sips of hot chocolate. Spring finally emerges again and we are renewed, once more. It was ever thus, until mankind added the fifth season – and he called it RED.

Happy Fourth Birthday ABH

Happy Fourth Birthday ABH

A Re-Cap Of Year 4

Happy Fourth Birthday ABH – My animal awareness blog – A Beating Heart is four years old today. I launched it on February 14, 2013 – a nod to the day of hearts and love and in recognition of the often forgotten fact that every sentient being has “A Beating Heart”. Never question that: We love – They love. We feel – They feel. We grieve – They grieve. We play – They play. We cry – They Cry and We suffer – They suffer!  

Humanity has no singular claim to an emotional, spiritual and physical existence. 

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Animal Advocates Are Never Alone

Animal Advocates Are Never Alone

Our Numbers Are Growing

Animal Advocates Are Never Alone – It may feel that way some days and it’s easy to become discouraged and to feel that our voices are lost in the wilderness. But the end game remains the same. We must be the voices for those who cannot speak. Dan Richardson, a dediated animal activist, has shared his deeply personal thoughts about animal advocacy very eloquently. He encourages animal advocates to remember that there is always light.  As Leonard Cohen observed so beautifully, “There is a crack in everything – that’s how the light gets in”. Thank you, Dan.

‘Tis The Season

‘Tis The Season

Be Grateful

‘Tis The Season again and with it the hustle and bustle of all things Christmas and Holiday. I am a lucky woman. My life is blessed by abundance. If yours is too, spend some time sending loving energy out to our beautiful tired planet and those less fortunate, of whom there are many. Every small gesture matters more than we can ever know.

My Path To Animal Activism

My Path To Animal Activism

Was Blind – But Now I See

My Path To Animal Activism –  I became consciously aware of the extent of global animal cruelty and serious environmental issues in 2006. In the intervening years what I have learned has changed me and altered the path of my life. I am a different woman today because I listened to the calling of my heart.

The Small Things

The Small Things

It Is So Easy To Be Kind

The Small Things – The three water stations I created in my garden this past July took me half an hour to set up. They required a twice daily top up of fresh, cold water. Birds love to splash in the summer when it’s really hot. They get right down in the water, and fan their wings like crazy, sending water droplets flying in all directions. The birds, bees, wasps, and dragonflies found the water immediately. The stations were always busy. It made me think of how difficult it is, for birds and small animals in a city, to find water when it’s a blistering, hot day.