Dear Readers,
It has been some time since I blogged here, half a year ago, and there is so much to share about that I could probably write a novel.
To give a brief summary, my husband and I made a sudden move back to our land in Costa Rica, after spending the wet season house and dog-sitting around a nearby coastal neighbourhood. But, I’d had enough of jumping from place to place, and as high season was approaching (with less house-sit opportunities) we noticed how rent prices in the area had become obscene and unaffordable. The choice was between burning through our building budget on rental accommodation, or moving back to the old bodega on the land (which at that point did not even have electricity), and starting to build our home. We broke ground in early December, and since taking these radical leaps of faith which felt like jumping onto a moving train, we are nearly finished. What remains is interior work and treating/oiling the wood, to weatherproof it before the jungle rains of the wet season arrive (well… they pretty much already have!) There is a lot more to share on this story, and I am excited to say that I have an article coming out later in the year in a collection of non-fiction essays on home and neighbourhood… so please stay tuned!
The other big thing that happened, and which made things quite that bit more challenging as we navigated building-related dramas, was that we found (and rescued) two orphan newborn pups on our property during a storm. That was at the end of December: we called in the New Year grieving the loss of one (at only a few days old), as well as struggling to learn all we could about neonate puppies to give our survivor the best chance possible. We now have a crazy 4-month-old, adventuring all over our property, chewing through shoes and tools and my medicinal plant garden.
Because of all the shifts, change and chaos in our lives over the last few months, I was struggling to find the time for my public writing. I’d still manage to write (nearly everyday) for myself, but public posting/sharing just wasn’t happening. Whenever I’d sit down to try and do that, I’d find my heels being bit by the needle-sharp teeth of my teething pup, or some commotion happening with our build that needed my attention. Being present with my family and our house project took priority, and so I let go of regularly blogging, or working on my poetry collection/other longer writing pieces…
However, we are emerging from the most difficult part of it all. Home is nearly finished, my pup is starting to calm down somewhat, and I am here to re-invigorate my website and online writings that I offer. I made some updates to my page sharing all about the longer-term vision for this land and community centre, which is also our home. You can read more on that page about what we have been doing and where we dream to go.
I have also just created a profile on Substack where I shared my first post today. From now on, I am going to use Substack as a forum for regularly posting my poetry and musings from the jungle, as well as audio/spoken word. I feel it is a better platform for me to post more regularly (and I intend to do so several times a week), with a focus on my creative/artistic expression through poetry. I am also hoping to generate some revenue from subscriptions to help support me in this time of big transition, while I have my hands very full with responsibilities on our land.
I am still keeping this blog – but for a slightly different purpose. Here, I will share more health & lifestyle-oriented articles, periodic updates about my community centre project, and the occasional nature-inspired piece of creative writing.
For today, I will also post my Substack prose below – Her (the Earth’s) Call: musings from the creek bed. I wrote this piece journalling in the jungle by our creek, where I go to catch respite from the stresses of the day. On my Substack post, I also have an audio of this piece – so please do head over there if you’d like an immersive experience, and to support my creative endeavours!
Thank you for reading, and I wish you a beautiful day. May all your dreams come to fruition, and may you always have the strength to keep following your heart.
Cara
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Here in the forest, I sit. Listening to the sound of your call.
That is my call.
That is the heart’s call.
I feel the soul of the universe shining in its full radiance here. Even in the fallen decaying leaves, scattered along the creek bed, and between the trees. In places too dense for a path to be trodden, but still, where the spirits of the jungle roam nonetheless.
I feel the rising summons in my blood flowing. Like the waters of these lands nourish the earth, they nourish my body. The spark of truth that awakens in me is undeniable. And a knowing, for how to decipher what is real and what is not.
It’s in the abandon. It’s in the surrender. No truth is spoken through the logical confines of the mind’s explanation. Truth simply exists, in the pulsing electricity that’s in the breeze, that rustles the trees, that stirs memories and recollections in each and every creature, living and beyond. That softens even the hardest stone into a gentle dance of interrelationship with all beings.
The golden light of the sun beams down, smiling through the canopy. Tomorrow is here, since yesterday. Dreams we grasp for were already achieved. When we shift from the rigid lenses, we find solace in the accomplishments of the present.
Here in the comforting dark womb of Mother Nature, all whilst illuminated from the inner darkness of our own suffering.
Listen, for the sound of my call.
That is your call.
That is the heart’s call.
It will bring you home to Her.
Thank you again for reading my blog, and remember you can find me on Substack here for more poetic content.