Happy September, Wild Honey's birthday month (Virgo, not Libra!) Although I do have a lot of Libra energy in my astrology chart (Mars and Mercury in Libra), my Sun is in the sign of Virgo.
The poem I'm reading in my video, "Why I Eat Pears on My Birthday" is from my upcoming book, "In the Grip of Grace" which is scheduled to be released in May of 2024 through Finishing Line Press.
Summer seemed to fly by quickly and it's hard to believe the Fall Equinox is upon us with the Sun entering the sign of Libra also on the day of the Equinox, September 23. Since Libra is a sign associated with harmony and balance, some balance exercises seem to be in order, perhaps the yoga poses, tree and dancer. As we age, balance becomes increasingly important, especially in the prevention of falls.
I love that my birthday month is also National Honey Month here in the States (I have a hard time referring to my country as the "United" States due to the current divisions). It's as if we are living in 50 different countries and the rights and freedoms one enjoys depend on what zip code one lives in. But on a sweeter note.....back to honey made by the bees who are free to fly wherever they please. I've been sharing a honey related post every day in September on my Facebook page, "Wild Honey Creations" which has been fun. But to clarify for readers, I don't keep bees or sell honey. My garden is too shady to accommodate bees, so I'm merely a bee advocate. I grow native plants that bees and other pollinators enjoy and don't use harmful pesticides. The hummingbirds have especially enjoyed the lovely fuchsia in my garden (see video above).
I also love that honey figures so prominently in the Jewish New Year celebrations on Rosh Hashanah which begins this year at sundown on September 15. A popular tradition is dipping apple slices in honey with the honey representing hopes for a sweet new year.
I always think of the honey makers on Labor Day since honeybees are such hard working creatures and totally dedicated to their community and their product! I read that it takes 12 bees their entire lifetime to produce just one teaspoon of honey and that one honeybee hive visits 225,000 flowers each day! You can read more amazing honeybee facts here.
I have been eagerly awaiting the publication of Issue #25 of the Vincent Brothers Review which will feature four of my poems. I received notice that it should be released by the end of next month! This is great timing as the theme is ghosts - perfect for Halloween and Day of the Dead celebrations! I have not written many new poems this summer or submitted many. I've focused primarily on revising older pieces. I have submitted a new one to a contest that I'm excited about. It's called "Crow Landing by the Lake" and is for a public poetry contest with the theme, "Places of Landing." This is similar to a contest I won in 2017 in which my poem was printed on a Seattle city bus! These contests are sponsored by the community arts organization, 4Culture.
I really enjoy reading non-fiction books about nature and am currently making my way through "Wintergreen: Rambles in a Ravaged Land" by Robert Michael Pyle. This is an older book first published in 1986 and is all about the Willapa Hills and Grays Harbor region of southwest Washington. The author who is a resident (and also a poet) writes beautifully of the flora and fauna of the region and the environmental impact of logging on the forests there. I am struck by the similarities to the situation in the Appalachian hills where I grew up - a region also decimated by mining and logging, particularly coal mining. My son is a pilot and frequently flies in the Willapa area and has offered to let me ride along sometime. One of the highlights of my summer was being his passenger on an aerial tour of the San Juan Islands. We flew to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island in a Cessna 172 where we had lunch, then continued to Orcas Island. From Orcas, we returned to Paine Field in Everett, WA via the lush Skagit River Valley. I was reminded once again that we live in one of the most beautiful places on Planet Earth. The view from 4500 feet was extraordinary!
I am excited to get more reading and writing done now that we are entering fall. I spent so much time hiking and swimming and gardening this summer. With the cooler weather (and return of the incessant Northwest rain), I look forward to getting cozy with my books and journal in front of the fire!
What about you? What were some of the highlights of your summer? What are you looking forward to in the coming months?
Wishing you a magical fall season. Stay well, Stay wild. Stay serene.
Much love,
Wild Honey Marianne
Below: Photo with my friend, Janet, and her pear tree on Camano Island, WA
