MUSINGS...by Beverly Rieger

It's the middle of April and everything is responding to the sunshine and rain and lightning that has enriched our world. Trees are beginning to flower...magnolia....red bud....ornamental pear...and daffodils, hyacinth, narcissus are everywhere. A duck is nesting right outside mom's front window. Last week an eagle flew above my car....and hawk, goose and duck are everywhere. It's a beautiful and nurturing time of year! April reminds me of why so much of my music includes bird song, water bubbling or moving in waves, and frogs of all kinds. We are woven into relationship with all of nature...as part of this big planetary weaving. These songs and sounds support and inspire me in my work and in my daily life. The trip to Brown County with Samantha and Jordan was just wonderful and then last weekend we had Jason, Leah and Lucy with us for two days. Family is awesome!! Mayan Dream Productions is in the middle of it's own Spring Emergence. The mailings are out....the newslet...

>I have an awesome photo hanging on my wall of a fire that is burning in the Lake Atitlan area as part of a ritual. The fire is alive with deer running through it (really!) and from the top of the fire a fully formed jaguar is standing. If you are familiar with the art on ancient mayan stella and temples, you will also notice faces that are found on the ancient artwork. It is remarkable that these forces emerged from the fire, but equally wonderful that someone's camera was able to capture these images which are certainly fleeting. WOW!. This incredible photo is by Conrad Satala. Another story about the reality of the unseen worlds: My aunt died Sunday night. She had been in a coma, but woke enough to tell her niece that her husband had come to her and was telling her that her time had come and he was there to lead her. Then she died. WOW! When dad was dying, he saw his twin brother and other deceased family members for days before he died. Sometimes I just need to b...

Here we are this weekend at the cusp of the Spring Solstice and also a full moon that is brighter and larger than usual because of it's closeness to the earth. I can feel the strength of the energy that is present at this time. There is decision....I can use this energy to be in conflict and chaos, or in connection with a deep spiritual place. This energy can be brought into my heart and sent to Japan, and Libya, and all the other places on this planet that are in such difficulty. Healing! When I write this blog, or my monthly newsletter, I focus on the possibilities of life and the radiance of all creation in gratitude. However, many times during the day I have to refocus myself in choice: will I interpret life's events in a smaller way, or will I let myself change into the unknown and into the radiance? Sometimes it takes me a little time to shift into the larger space of radiance.....life is not always easy. I know many people who are Japanese and I am sad for them...

As I look outside, it is raining and about 32 degrees so we have some freezing rain. It is gray and brown and rather dark today. The moist earth is supporting sprouts that are breaking through the ground. Tree buds are swelling. In just a few days we will have 60's and sunshine. Emergence! The news coming from Japan continues to be so sad. But the people are such an inspiration with their centeredness in the midst of their profound grief and loss. There is nothing large happening today....just normal life.....lived in deep appreciation for the wonderful gifts that have been given to me. Love to all.

This morning we hear of the 8.9 earthquake off the coast of Japan and the Tsunami that is creating such devastation. As I write this, there is very little news coming from that area, but the pictures are just heart-breaking. And....the tsumani is headed for Hawaii, and then the West Coast of US. All of us have family and friends who live in these areas. Here in the Midwest we experience nature's radical changes through floods and through tornados. I can be in the midst of a regular days work, and a severe storm with tornado could change my entire life within seconds. Let's keep all of the world in our loving kindness. Earth, our mother, needs our help. Love to all!

This is an optimistic photo which was taken a couple of years ago in the very early Spring. I hope to see these flowers along the trails of the state forest very soon. Last week in the middle of snow storms, the Musings newsletter for February finally went out. Orders were shipped when it was possible to get to the post office. One day, the mail could not even be delivered to us because of snow drifts.....very unusual! Now, we have had thunderstorms and lots of rain overnight and "overnight" our white landscape has turned to brown. The rivers are high and flood warnings are up. All of this weather is a constant reminder to me that life never stays the same. It's craziness for me to worry about what might happen, or what might not happen. Let's go with the flow! I announced that Living The Possible album would be on the website for free download. That is delayed a little bit.....until maybe the end of this week and it's posting will be announced with a s...

Well, we are moving toward the end of February. We've had so much snow this winter, and a blizzard, but the beauty has been phenomenal. This photo is mine of one particularly beautiful snowfall. Today, Mother Nature is having a gray day.....the skies are dark and brooding and we are being coated with ice. It's a very good day for a fire in the fireplace because no one is going anywhere! The Musings newsletter will be coming out this Wednesday for February....a little late because we are almost into March. However, life's timing is not always exactly on my schedule. Hopefully this newsletter will come to you exactly when you wanted to read it. We met with our long-time tax preparer last weekend, and it turns out that Mayan Dream Productions increased success this year has increased our taxes, and so less refund. What a good problem to have! This last week of February has been about my body reorganizing around the shoulders and down my arms. It seems that I have re-in...