Thursday, March 19, 2015

Perhaps I Am A Bear

























Perhaps I am a bear, 
or some hibernating animal underneath, 
for the instinct to be half asleep all winter is so strong in me. 

-Anne Morrow Lindbergh

I love nuts and berries and being buried in blankets, cozy and cave-like. In the book, The Medicine Wheel, Bear is my animal totem, my power animal, my spirit teacher. This is based on my birth month which is September. 
Thanks to the Medicine Wheel calendar, I'm not a Sturgeon. 

(I believe that's October.) 
I am a bear. I even kind of look like one. 
When the black bear walked by our back door I followed it. 
Through the yard, around trees, near the stone wall.
It turned to look at me. 
I said, hey and waved. 
Bear stared at me, then lumbered on.
I felt the connection.
My kids thought I was nuts. Barefoot mom runs after bear. 
Why? Why must you do that?
Because I'm a bear. Get over it.











Owen portraying me as a bear.


It's been a long winter. (Understatement)













Like weary animals, Bostonians are just peeking out of their homes today, right on time for the Spring Equinox and another snow storm? We didn't get Boston kind of snow. We got enough. Enough to keep us home from school, at least once a week for two months. This only reinforced my bear-behavior. 
 books
 bed
 blankets
 wine (not in bed!)
 window to see the world outside
+tea
= Bear cave

I shoveled, went sledding. Got milk. How else would Claire eat her cereal? When there weren't snow days, I did work. Because I work in two schools with young children, I now shout in my sleep -

sneeze into your damn elbow! 

(Home today because somebody didn't sneeze into their elbow. Jaden? Violet? Chris?)

In January, I accidentally joined a cross fit gym. They call it the box. After school I'd go do 80 burpees, throw a medicine ball at the wall, lift 55 lbs in power snatches - okay, it was 35 lbs. 

But what about that name, power snatch?

Between colds (this is my second), sneeze into your elbow, Claire's track schedule ( a totally bogus excuse to get out of burpees), and not being ready to give up my hibernation, I quit the box and bought myself a kettle bell. I've watched the video of how to use it and feel a little more toned already. 

So, life hasn't been complete bear bed rest.


















And I've been writing, just not here. Not to say I haven't missed you. I have. You know when you're out of touch for so long, it's embarrassing to say, hey, I'm still here. Because people move on if you sleep too long. 

Hey, I'm still here. Hoping you're still here too.

xo 
b


10 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Can always count on my Vermont Bear- Soul Sister... xoxo

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  2. Ahhhh... cozy and true, hopeful and inspiring......... loving acceptance. Best to you, Betsy Bear. Margaret (Dickie) Francia

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  3. Hello Sweet Margaret. How wonderful to hear from you!
    Sending love to you and yours. peace...xo b

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  4. I moseyed on by the other day to see how you've been. It was a long winter. A lovely Spring post. Thank you Pooh, Baloo, et al.

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  5. so glad that all is well with you.

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  6. Lovely. Amid the warmth, humidity, and visiting humanity of a Florida March, your post brought back memories of Northern winters -- the cold, the snow, and the escapes. xoxo

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  7. I am STILL here . . . . . Bear is one of my totems - you have to share!! This was a pure delight. Miss your presence, but always feel CONNECTED. Let me know when your yoga class happens at Yoga House. Will we 'SEE YOU IN SEPTEMBER'?? The date is Sunday September 20th at the Farmhouse. Beth Guida XO

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