Blue Moon Rising

I have been trying to practice what Buddhist philosopher Stephen Batchelor calls The Art of Solitude--that is, the art of being with yourself, attentive to your inner life and faithful to your own heart, whether you are by yourself or with others. It is a challenging practice. Last night, for example, I was taking a … Continue reading Blue Moon Rising

Red-winged Blackbirds

The red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) returned to the shores of Prospect Lake several weeks ago. Every morning, on my walk across the park, I have listened to their metallic voices calling from the top of oaks, maples, and honey locusts. Theirs is a simple, haunting, repetitive call, like a mantra: first a short phrase, with … Continue reading Red-winged Blackbirds