In honor of Earth Day, a poem about kindness.

Kindness to Animals
by An Unknown Author         

Little children, never give
Pain to things that feel and live:
Let the gentle robin come
For the crumbs you save at home,—
As his meat you throw along
He’ll repay you with a song;
Never hurt the timid hare
Peeping from her green grass lair,
Let her come and sport and play
On the lawn at close of day;
The little lark goes soaring high
To the bright windows of the sky,
Singing as if ’twere always spring,
And fluttering on an untired wing,—
Oh! let him sing his happy song,
Nor do these gentle creatures wrong.

This poem is in the public domain. It has been around for decades, but no author has ever been identified.

Death Is Nothing
—Henry Scott Holland

Death is nothing at all,
I have only slipped away into the next room.
Whatever we were to each, that we are still.
Call me by my old familiar name.
Speak to me in the easy way which you always used.

Laugh as we always laughed
at the little jokes we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me. Pray for me.
Let my name be the household word it always was.
Let it be spoken without effort.
Life means all that it ever meant.
It is the same as it ever was;
there is absolutely unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of your mind
because I am out of your sight?
I am but waiting for you, for an interval,
somewhere very near just around the corner…
All is well. Nothing is past, nothing is lost.

One brief moment and all will be as it was before,
only better, infinitely happier
and forever we will be one together.

(Anastasia’s note: I miss you, Rachel. You’ve been gone a year, and I still can’t believe you are not here.)

My local libraries do a Sensory-Friendly Family Movie Night each month. This means:

• Lights Up. Only the lights in the half of the room closest to the screen will be turned off.
• Sound Down. The volume will be lower than at our Monthly Movie Nights. Captions will be on as well.
• Hands Busy. We will provide a basket of fidget toys you are welcome to choose from. We encourage you to bring any sensory aids or comfort items that would enhance your experience.
• Rules Relaxed. Feel free to move, vocalize, dance or sing along! There is no expectation to sit still and remain quiet. Snacks will be provided. You are welcome to bring your own (easy-to-clean-up) options as well.
• Flex Seating. A space will be open at the front with wobble cushions to sit on. You can also bring along a blanket or pillow and make yourself comfortable!

What a great idea! This makes it easier for people in general, and, in particular, people with children who have sensory issues.

Wouldn’t it be great to have this available for adults in regular movie theatres? It could be a special showing, like the “Mommy and Me” that one of our local theatres does—crying infants are not a problem, and if you book tickets for this showing, you know what you are signing up for.

In today’s email from my local library (City of Alameda, California)—I did not know this!

Any California resident can get a free library card at the following city libraries — just fill out the application to access all their digital “stacks”!

Los Angeles: click here

San Diego: click here

San Jose: click here

Oakland: click here

Checking out books and other materials from the library is great for several reasons:

• • Increased use of library services allows libraries to request additional funding from state and local budgets.
  • Authors get royalty payments for library check-outs — another great way to support the writers, musicians, and artists you love!
  • It gives your library a better idea of what’s in demand. If you’re looking for a book, film, or album that your library doesn’t carry, please request it so artists can get their work into more libraries and seen by more people!

I have returned from my travels, along with some lovely new pieces for my altar from SJ Chilton! They are made of a nice, lightweight plaster, and feel wonderfully smooth and cool in the hand.

First, Angbroda and children:

Next, Saga:

And, last but not least, the Norns: