Samsara

Last Tuesday, I was in the kitchen, when in the corner of my eye I saw something move inside my little lamp (the one I use now until I replace the broken bulb of the ceiling lamp) it is a frosted glass squarish tube with a small light bulb inside.I saw at the bottom something moving. I thought it was a moth. So I looked distractedly and saw it was a wasp instead... Reliving that moment in my mind, I am surprised at how my mind was not present. I looked at the wasp strugling, confused, terrified. I felt nothing. I was just about to turn away without a second thought when that suddenly felt terribly wrong. I could not have turned away. At that moment my compassion woke up and it took so little effort to free the wasp. It lauched from the lamp into the garden. I felt joy for it.

The little wasp has left a strong mark on my soul.

There was a moment of confusion between absent-minded carelessness and compassion that was interesting. I took a snapshot in my mind shocked at the indiference but not yet overcome by compassion. It was an important lesson about awareness ...and compassion.

Sumac on my porch table

Sumac tea on a bike

In August I discovered a fabulous bike trail 2 minutes away from home!!! It is perfect and has lots of staghorn sumac and smooth sumac along the way. I picked some and came home and made some tea. The red seeds look gorgeous and the tea taste really good, just a tiny bit tart. It helps if you don't squeeze the twigs in the tea.  I went back this week. How wonderful it is on a hot day to wiz through the air on your bike! There was hardly anyone on the trail... it was all for me!!! : the bees, the butterflies, the little brown mouse that crossed the road, the flowers, the blue sky, the singing of birds, the screaming subway cars overhead on the huge big bridge, all... mine!!!

Try Sumac tea, it's easy!
(stay away from WHITE sumac: it is poisonous - RED sumac only!)

- take one seed pod
- fit in large cup or cut off all the seeds of the pods and put in cup
- cover with near boiling water.
- infuse for 15 minutes.
- sift brew
- drink hot, or cold with sugar
Note: some people show alergic reaction.

Delish!