EYE ON THE FIREFLIES

Firefly Love


    It’s been a terrible month, with mass shootings, police killings and police killed, a congress that refuses to deal with our gun violence problems in any way at all - even refusing to fund research on the issue as they continue to protect their own self-interest and greed by making sure the NRA funds their government post.      Recently my husband woke up saying that for the first time in his life he was ashamed to be American, and if he was younger, he’d move to Canada, or maybe Costa Rica, which is warmer and has some interesting birds.      I know how he feels.  Something is happening in our nation which is frankly terrifying, and which reminds me of what I call The Killing Times in my futuristic novel,  The Fear Principle .  In this fictional account, the people of America start mass urban killings out of fear, out of greed, out of a desperation that’s invaded their lives and their spirits.      I think as a nation, we’re feeling desperation of both body and soul.  There’s too much power and money at the top end, not enough to go around for the rest of us.  There’s a massive backlash against recent moves to be more inclusive in our laws, a stand against rights for women, for blacks, for hispanics, for the LBGT population.       Personally, just so you know, I stand with Nobel Prize winner Eli Weisel, recently deceased, as he spoke to the HRC in 1989. He said, “Hate is contagious.  [those who hate] are committing sins.  Sins against society.  Sins against humanity, and against creation as such.”   Against creation as such.  And that’s my answer to my husband for why we should stay here, in spite of our shame about our government, which is profound right now.    Our country is bigger than the government.  It’s composed of the land, and the land itself is most beautiful and worthy of our service, our sacrifice, our protection.      Last night, partly out of sorrow for recent killings, partly because of what my husband said, and partly because it’s firefly season, I stayed up late and went out walking in the middle of the night.  I went out to see the fireflies, which dot our fields with a light show beyond anything the fireworks of July 4th could create.  In fact, those fireworks are a poor imitation of what’s available naturally, because fireworks sound like bombs going off, and remind too many people of past experience with war, disturb too many dogs, cats, and wild animals.   More Firefly Love    The fireflies create their magic in silence. They don’t need to scream, or engage in violence to own power.  The nature of their being is powerful enough to compel attention, respect, and love.  They speak in the still, small voice of the soul, which never lies.  Their light is a reflection of the star-studded sky, reminding us that we are in fact connected to the largeness of the universe.  Any of you out there who has ever contemplated a field full of fireflies on a summer’s night knows exactly what I mean.    I walked among the fireflies last night, and knew I had to stay here.  We have to protect the best part of our country - our love of freedom for all, our need to repair damages done to those who lived here before us and taught us the best lessons, our need to screw up our courage and our love and work for love rather than letting this most glorious land be ruled by fear and greed.     Really, folks.  We have work to do.  There are people and lands to protect, fireflies to love. Now is a time to do as the singing duo Magpie says, and Live Like a Prayer.  Now is the time to remember who we really are - a people who came here to escape oppression, and who will not, will not, will not, use oppression of others  just because we’re frightened.     There are many kinds of light in the world.  The fireflies are just one of them.  Recently I saw a video of how a biker’s group called  BACA (Bikers Against Child Abuse)  gather around abused children to support them in their fear, to protect them against further abuse.  That’s the best use of power.  These folks say they’re willing to take a bullet for the kids they protect, and they’re in it for life. To be willing to live and die for what you believe in, rather than reaching for personal power and self-interest is what matters most. We are here to serve and protect, at risk of our own lives and sanity.  We are here to learn love, and live love, in all ways.  If you aren’t asking yourself what love requires, you’re on the wrong track.      Let me repeat that.  If you’re not discerning the difference between fear, greed, and love, you’ve abrogated your human rights. Yeah.  I mean that.      So let’s protest the killing of black men by cops.  Let’s protest the killing of cops by guys who carry semi-automatic assault rifles.  Let’s protest the control of the NRA over congress. Let’s keep on moving forward toward love, which is the only value worth keeping.  
   Let’s keep our eyes on the prize, and on the fireflies, who teach us almost all we need to know.

     My fantasy novel Children of the Land, which is all about love, can be found on amazon.   And here's a loving and lovely recipe, to feed your body as well as your soul.
    CHAMPAGNE AND ROSE PETAL SORBET
   This has some of my favorite solstice ingredients in it:  Good spirits, flowers, and a touch of honey from Saule’s bees.   Share it generously, just as Saule shares her light.  
     1 1/2 cups champagne or sparkling wine     1 cup white granulated sugar     1 tbsp. honey     1/2 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice     About half a teaspoon of salt      1 1/2 cups water, or a combination of water and grapefruit juice     1 cup rose petals, chopped  (I use wild roses and the ones from our garden, which don’t get sprayed with pesticides.  Make sure yours are UNSPRAYED!) Pretty Solstice Fairy Food     1 tbsp rose water if you want more intense rose flavor.  Or, you can add rose petal spread or jam to the mix once it’s in your ice cream machine.  If you add it before, just be aware it will change the color.
      Put champagne, sugar, and honey in a sauce pan and bring it to a vigorous boil, like it’s one the sun.   Let the sugar dissolve completely, then remove it from heat and pour it into a bowl.  Add the lemon juice and salt and water. If you’re adding rosewater, do so now.   
      Put the bowl in the refrigerator or freezer to chill like there is no sun. 
       When the ingredients are really really cold, brrr, like they live in Nunavut Territory, put them in your ice cream maker, according to its directions.  As it begins to turn about, add the rose petals. Try different colors, different kinds, because you know the rule:  PLAY WITH YOUR FLOWER FOOD!           Let the machine do its thing while you decide what to do with the rest of the champagne.  Drinking it is an option.   If you drink enough, you’ll enjoy watching the transformation in your ice cream maker, and how PRETTY it is.