Gratitude – Cathy's Blog!

Posted on May 4, 2026 by Cathy Edgett

Silence

In Erling Kagge’s book, Silence: In the Age of Noise, he writes of “how it feels good to share a joy”. He also writes of how words can interfere.

From the book:

Early one morning the war hero Claus Helberg, who later became a respected guide in Norway’s mountain region, led a group out from Finsehytta, a Norwegian mountain cabin.

“The summer light was returning, winter had released its hold, and new colours were emerging everywhere. The conditions were fantastic, and instead of commenting on it he began the hike by handing out slips of paper to each of the participants on which was written: “Yes, it is totally amazing.”

When the pandemic began we rarely drove and didn’t drive one of our cars which sat outside. The battery died. When we opened the hood to put in a new battery, we discovered this beautiful nest.

Posted on May 3, 2026May 3, 2026 by Cathy Edgett

Holding a Stone

I’m re-reading Erling Kagge’s wonderful book Silence: In the Age of Noise. I know stones. As a leader and student of Sensory Awareness, I know how holding a stone or placing in on our body, or passing it to a friend and receiving a stone in return can wake us up. I feel each stone as individual and unique as each of us.

I resonate to these words of Erling Kagge:

Americans have built a base even at the South Pole. Scientists and maintenance workers reside there for several months at a time, isolated from the outside world. One year there were ninety-nine residents who celebrated Christmas together at the base. Someone had smuggled in ninety-nine stones and handed out one apiece as Christmas gifts, keeping one for themselves. Nobody had seen stones for months. Some people hadn’t seen stones for over a year. Nothing but ice, snow, and man-made objects. Everyone sat gazing at and feeling their stone. Holding in their hands, feeling its weight, without uttering a word.

Stones rest in a bowl shaded by Azalea and Pine

Posted on April 30, 2026 by Cathy Edgett

This Moment, Now

I’m struggling with the political news in this country, and yet, yesterday as I sat on my deck and savored my first sip of a fresh cup of coffee, I felt complete happiness and remembered the words of the Dalai Lama who when asked about the happiest or best moment of his life, responded “this moment.”

When Tara Brach asked the Dalai Lama his happiest moment, he replied, “this moment is happiness”. She shares this: On a visit to D.C., the Dalai Lama was asked by a reporter to share about the happiest moment in his life. He paused and then gave a very mischievous look. His response: ‘I think now!'”

This morning as I read the news, I’m carried on the musical composition of three different garbage trucks coming through picking up debris from three different bins: garbage, recycling, and compost. We are a community. This moment, now!

Posted on April 26, 2026 by Cathy Edgett

Beauty and Art Around Us

On Friday I was at Cornerstone gardens in Sonoma and Saturday at the Las Gallinas Reclamation ponds in San Rafael. I offer a taste through photos.

Posted on April 13, 2026 by Cathy Edgett

Morning

The crescent moon was bright in the sky this morning. Squirrels are running up and down the trunk of the redwood tree and bouncing on the branches. Birds are singing. A crow plays the windchime. I sit enchanted. I’m with the words of Thich Nhat Hanh:

“Drink your tea slowly and reverently, as if it is the axis on which the world revolves.”

And so it is – our reverence and appreciation opening and turning like keys.

Posted on March 21, 2026 by Cathy Edgett

It’s Spring!

I’m struck by the flowers blooming along the path into the library. The rise seems so effortless. I’m with these words of Bruce Lee from his book, Be Water, My Friend.

Who is there that can make muddy waters clear? But if allowed to remain still, it will become clear of itself. Who is there that can secure a state of absolute repose? But keep calm and let time go on, and the state of repose will gradually arrest.

Posted on March 9, 2026 by Cathy Edgett

Butterflies

When I’m outside these days, butterflies are fluttering all about me. It’s springtime, a time to connect.

Saturday, I came upon two Monarchs mating, and stopped to take pictures thinking it would be short-term, but finally exhausted from watching all the fluttering, I left. At home, I read that when monarchs mate, the male uses the claspers on the end of his abdomen to attach to the vaginal groove of the female. Once attached, the female cannot get away, and the male transfers spermatophore components to the female in a process that can take up to 16 hours.

16 hours and without Viagra. Amazing.

This bumper sticker offers another form of camouflage

Posted on March 3, 2026 by Cathy Edgett

Above the Fog

Because I’m too old to be an astronaut viewing our fragile, diverse planet from space, I left the fog to drive up to the top of Mt. Tam, and circle through landscapes.

Looking south as fog begins to dissipate in the climb

Posted on February 27, 2026 by Cathy Edgett

Sunshine

I walked Tennessee Valley today along with many others who were drawn outside to celebrate the day. It was so warm I felt like a cormorant drying my wings as I walked with arms outspread. Butterflies called by the sun swarmed around me like a cocoon. Water streamed down the hills to join the ocean as one.

Posted on February 16, 2026 by Cathy Edgett

Fire and Snow

It’s the Chinese Lunar New Year, Year of the Fire Horse. The last two nights I’ve made a fire in the fireplace and lit candles, as I absorb the energy of this new year. The snake has molted and is ready to gallop with energy, clarity, and courage. 1966 was the last Fire Horse Year, and that was a powerful one too.

My grandson is at Tahoe with his family and a very perky puppy. It’s been snowing and is beautiful. I look at the photos and feel what it’s like to play with this new texture, to immerse as in water, to form flakes to come together as snowmen and snowwomen, and toss snowballs with glee. I remember my childhood, and all the years and give thanks for how water is liquid, solid, and gas, able to change like perception.