mental health

Geese for Gaza

/ Tracy Abell / 8 Comments

We’re heading into a very rainy week here on the Olympic Peninsula due to atmospheric river conditions. Knowing this, yesterday we took advantage of the quiet before the storm to walk along the water via the Olympic Discovery Trail. However, weather wasn’t the only factor in our decision: we also desperately needed a dose of nature to counteract the negative mental health effects of the current regime’s fascism a go-go plus the non-stop slaughter of Palestinians live-streamed before our eyes. The “ceasefire” that was supposed to terminate Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza has allowed Israel to violate those terms over 500 times, resulting in the murder of hundreds of men, women, and children. (NOTE to the Zionist from Tel Aviv: your racist, supremacist rants are blocked from this site which means no one but you will ever know the depths of your depravity. You’re welcome.)

As Zippy, Emma, and I began our walk, we saw a large flock of Canada Geese. I smiled while taking photos and happily captured more images when we returned an hour later to find them in a different spot alongside the trail.

Today when I found myself repeatedly thinking about these geese, it felt like a sign. As in, time for another Geese and Gaza post. Why?

Canada Geese on December 6, 2025

Because seeing other living, breathing creatures–such as this flock of geese that works together to keep each member safe–always reminds me of the interconnectedness of life on this planet. We are all in this together, and that most definitely includes Palestinians. I’m pretty sure every “silly goose” understands this basic concept.

They are Geese for Gaza.
From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.

Unruffled calm of nature

/ Tracy Abell / 10 Comments

August 4, 2025 Olympic Discovery Trail

Surely there is something in the unruffled calm of nature
that overawes our little anxieties and doubts:
the sight of the deep-blue sky, and the clustering stars above,
seem to impart a quiet to the mind.
~ Jonathan Edwards

Balm for the soul

/ Tracy Abell / 13 Comments

This morning during a short walk on the Discovery Trail where I haven’t been for weeks due to a foot issue that may or may not be a mind-body issue, we  were gifted with all sorts of beauty. In the order in which those gifts presented themselves:

Black-tailed deer

Immature Snow Goose

Belted Kingfisher

Mount Baker

Black-tailed Deer

Horned Grebe

Glaucous-winged Gull and crab

Same gull pauses to make clear guests are not welcome at crab feast

After taking many photos of this delightful gull, we turned around and headed back to the trailhead. I was pleased to see the Belted Kingfisher was still in the tree and a bit further on, spotted this wild bouquet:

Thank you for taking the walk with me. May these glimpses of beauty be balm for your soul during these very hard days.

Thankful Thursday: holding onto my JOY

/ Tracy Abell / 24 Comments

These are incredibly hard days on the planet and today I want to give a shout-out to the JOY in my heart, something the fascists will never, ever take from me. They want us cowering in fear and apathy, quietly sinking into dark and joyless pits of despair, but it’s vital to stay connected to all the good stuff in this world. Here’s a list of some things bringing me joy today:

  • Running for the first time in months (not to mention at sea level!) and even though my joints were creaky and my pace pretty darned slow, it made me SO freaking happy. Joyous, even!
  • Singer/songwriter Valerie June‘s new release aptly titled “Joy, Joy!” which is catchy and uplifting (check it out here).
  • Watching the rain fall as the sun shines.
  • Putting on jeans still warm from the dryer.
  • Leaving on my walk to the library after posting this, knowing I’ll get answers to my questions because librarians rule! They take care of patrons and books alike!

I’d love to hear about what’s bringing you joy these days so please share in the comments!

Twofer Tuesday: taking action edition

/ Tracy Abell / 11 Comments

Before I get started, I want to share an image from our walk today on a portion of the Olympic Discovery Trail.

I don’t know about you, but I take great delight in this moss-covered stump that reminds me of some kind of velour throne. Full disclosure: I fought the urge to sit on it.

That beautiful walk rejuvenated me and while I’d like to wander forever amongst the ferns and trees, it was time to return to reality. And as you know, there’s a lot going on and so much of it feels out of our control which is why I’m here to share a couple opportunities to take action.

ONE) Tomorrow (Wednesday, March 19th) #TeslaTakedown is holding a mass mobilizing call at 8:30 pm ET / 5:30 pm PT that will be livestreamed on YouTube. A link will be sent in the morning.  Register HERE & go to TeslaTakedown.com for more info on the people’s movement that’s making Elon Musk angry and tanking Tesla stock.

TWO) On Thursday, March 20, the American Postal Workers Union is holding a Day of Action as the Postal Service faces the most serious threat in its history as the Trump administration prepares a hostile takeover in order to privatize this bedrock institution! Go HERE to find an action near you (along with LOTS of resources including flyers, talking points, signs, etc). Here’s a sample that includes these FACTS about the United States Postal Service:

Even if you’re unable to participate in either event, please keep talking about what’s happening. As I talked the other day with the truck driver who’d driven our belongings from Colorado to Washington, I realized he had no idea about the many, many ways the unelected billionaire Elon Musk has been wreaking havoc in our lives. We’ve got to educate each other and I kicked myself for not having a flyer I could hand him with all the info from TeslaTakedown. Same goes for the Postal Service. I’m going to have some of these flyers with me so I can hand them to folks as we talk.

There’s a lot going on as they aim to shock and awe us into submission, so don’t feel bad about not being able to help on every front! None of us have that bandwidth. Instead, pick an issue or two that resonate and put some energy into that. Every little ripple we create adds to the tsunami of people-power. Solidarity!

Twofer Tuesday: Clear Creek edition

/ Tracy Abell / 4 Comments

As mentioned, I celebrated yesterday’s birthday at Clear Creek. It was a good choice: lots of sunshine plus the peace of moving water. As we walked in search of a sunny place to picnic, we saw a man running behind his dog carrying a frisbee. I was disappointed that I didn’t have my camera ready to snap a pic. Well, a few minutes later, they ran past again and this time I was prepared. Such a happy doggie!

Then we found our spot in the sun.

After selecting flat-ish boulders near the water’s edge to sit on, Zippy and I ate lunch while watching leaves gently sway beneath the water’s surface and bubbles move along on top as they cast star-shaped shadows below. Despite people crossing on the nearby bridge, it felt like we had the creek to ourselves. Too soon, the sun dropped below the canyon cliff, and our sun-filled location was shady and cold. Time to head back home.

Though our outing was brief, it soothed my soul. I highly recommend sunshine and water for late November birthday celebrations.

They say it’s his birthday

/ Tracy Abell / 8 Comments

Today is Zippy’s birthday and he celebrated by going on a 30-mile bike ride. Another thing he likes to do? Hike. Here he is hiking in Pike National Forest last October. See that happy, relaxed smile?

Well, here’s the cut paper card I made for him this year in honor of those hikes and our “forest bathing.”

May we share many more moments of forest-induced peace in the coming year. Happy birthday, Zippy. ❤️

When the big picture is too much

/ Tracy Abell / 14 Comments

Nature is always, always my refuge, and never more than during hard times. When the world feels too cruel and feelings of overwhelm engulf me, I know to put my focus on the little things. Yesterday I grounded myself by watching these Japanese Beetles on my in-laws’ raspberry plant.

Yes, I know Japanese Beetles are very destructive because they destroy leaves and crops. However, it’s hard to hold a grudge while belonging to the most destructive species on the planet. Humans do a lot more damage than these stunning, iridescent beetles, and yesterday I was grateful to gaze upon their splendor.

This morning as Zippy and I walked Emma around the neighborhood, I paused at a clump of Russian Sage to check out the bee situation. As expected, there were honey bees, but I was especially tickled to notice three grasshoppers perched in various places throughout.

They all seemed to be just chillin’ amongst the purple blooms. I’m in awe of grasshoppers’ intricate bodies and can’t stop looking at this image. How do all those pieces fit together? What percentage of the total body mass are those two enormous eyes? And do their joints ever get tired from all that hopping?

Once again, nature for the win.

Twofer Tuesday: house wren edition

/ Tracy Abell / 14 Comments

Earlier, I was feeling loads of anxiety about the state of the world and planet, and so wisely went outside to sit below the deck for a hit of nature. The lamb’s ear are abuzz with bees and a painted lady butterfly landed on the plant closest to me. A swallowtail butterfly floated past. Various birds sang and then went silent for a while. As I petted Emma who was curled up on the bench next to me, a house wren began singing again. I aimed my camera into the light to capture the songster.

Didn’t catch the wren mid-note, but they were singing their little heart out.

And then I became aware of another wren, this one making the churring sound. That bird was a little farther down the fence.

I took a few more photos, grinning as the first wren continued the melodious song while this one stuck to its churring call. I lowered the camera then squinted, wondering if I was seeing things. No, I wasn’t imagining it!Two wrens, side-by-side. Two fluffy wrens. The baby wrens that’d been very vocal on Saturday as their parents worked tirelessly to feed them. The baby wrens that’d left the nest on Sunday, leaving Zippy and me to wonder where they’d gone. Just minutes before they showed up on the fence, I’d asked him whether young wrens stick around or head to a whole new area on their own. Zippy said he didn’t know.

But now we do know: they stick around!For a while, at least. To learn their calls and songs, and to practice flying.

 

 

Happy Solstice

/ Tracy Abell / 5 Comments

Today is the shortest day of the year and tomorrow we begin gaining daylight. Despite the incremental change at first, it’s still a huge boost to mental health. And we need it here in Colorado as we brace ourselves for an arctic blast. Tonight it will get down to -12 degrees F and tomorrow’s high will be a whopping -1 degree. And thanks to the climate crisis, we’re also smelling smoke from a wildfire in Boulder County (almost exactly one year after the Marshall Fire last December!) Cold enough to kill people and dry/windy enough to burn everything down. How’s that for messed up?

Anyway, this is some kind of hybrid dragonly/butterfly we found while clearing out my mother-in-law’s house. The six-inch by four-inch, bejeweled curiosity now hangs in my writing room window and I just photographed it as the foothills went dark. The bluish tinge is a result of the Arctic filter I applied, which felt appropriate.

Here’s to more hospitable days. Happy Solstice, everyone!

Dark too early

/ Tracy Abell / 6 Comments

Each time the sun disappears behind the foothills it feels like a door slamming shut, locking me in a dark dungeon of despair. I mean, five o’clock and it’s pitch black outside? As G.O.B. would say on Arrested Development, “Come on!” But as a friend reminded me, we’ll start gaining daylight on December 22nd. I just have to hang in there until then.

I searched Pixabay for a night image that would convey my misery and happened upon this delightful Eurasian Pygmy Owl.

Image by Erik Karits from Pixabay

I’m going to try to reframe my outlook and think about this time of day being good for owls. It makes me slightly less grumpy to think about them out there in the dark, stalking and killing unsuspecting prey. At least someone’s enjoying themselves.

One of those pandemic days

/ Tracy Abell / 5 Comments

This day started off pretty well — among other things, added 20 minutes to my yearly hoop-dancing total — and then Zippy and I went out to deliver food boxes to people via Rocky Mountain Mutual Aid Network. And I think that’s where the day began to feel not-so-good, when we were out and about, and saw that the vast majority of people were unmasked in indoor spaces. It wasn’t news: this is how it’s been for months and months. For some reason, it hit me harder today. How can we as a society normalize mass death and disability? How can we sacrifice our health for “freedom”? What will we do when our healthcare system collapses beneath the weight of our selfishness?emot

Anyway, here’s a pretty flower.

Wild aster. July 13, 2022

Wishing you and yours a safe and healthy weekend.

Gratitude

/ Tracy Abell / 8 Comments

This morning started out rough as the weight of all we’re enduring hit me. Sometimes I wish I could live in a happy state of denial (“the pandemic is over and X, Y, Z aren’t happening, either!”), and eagerly greet each new day. Alas, I’m not wired that way.

The good news is, I’m feeling better now.
The birds are singing and the sun is shining.
Gratitude!

Backyard. August 4, 2022

And I’m forever grateful that sunflowers exist.

PSA: We’re all in this together

/ Tracy Abell / 7 Comments

A friend is struggling mightily right now, and she’s not alone in her feeling of overwhelm and hopelessness. Every one of us is dealing with personal stuff on top of the societal and planetary crises. I want to note this here and now, as a reminder for the next time someone cuts me off in traffic or doesn’t return a wave or any number of completely trivial things that might wind me up.

Everyone is dealing with way too much these days. But we’re all in this together and we are all we’ve got.

So, it’s good to extend a little grace whenever we can. 🌻

My Five Touchstones

/ Tracy Abell / 6 Comments

Like many others, I’ve been struggling under the weight of reality. (I started to list the many crises here then realized there’s no need to drag me or my readers down yet again). The point it, stuff’s really hard. Some days I’m not sure how to keep going. Those feelings were so strong a couple mornings ago that I was compelled during my intuition activation session to ask “What’s the point?”

I received five words:
Joy              Nature               Compassion               Justice               Peace

They immediately resonated with me and are my new touchstones for keeping me afloat. When I start feeling overwhelmed and defeated, I return to those five words. Today, I dedicate this post to them.

For instance, the JOY I felt when watching Emma enthusiastically splash and drink from the stream while hiking last September.

Cataract Lake. September 27, 2021

And on that same hike, glorious NATURE completely rejuvenated my soul.

Cataract Lake. September 27, 2021

The best way to live is by showing COMPASSION for others, as exemplified by this child as he helps a lamb reunite with its mother.
https://twitter.com/yoda4ever/status/1533782002964393984

This morning I rejoiced in the news of JUSTICE served in Louisiana after the community organized to defeat Formosa Plastics in its attempt to build one of the world’s largest plastics plants in a Black community. Solidarity!

Finally, there’s always a sense of PEACE when watching birds in our yard, especially in the quiet after a snowfall.

Goldfinch in backyard.  October 24, 2019

Yes, life’s a hard row to hoe. But there are always glimmers of good along the way. Remember: JOY. NATURE. COMPASSION. JUSTICE. PEACE.

A bouquet for me and thee

/ Tracy Abell / 6 Comments

Yesterday was emotionally rough for me and upon waking this morning, I feared sinking into that dark place again. So, I vowed to keep myself occupied all day. We took Emma for a walk before it got too hot and after that, I cleaned, did laundry, wrote, did my yoga and hooped for a while. Somewhere in there, I also took a short nap with Loki-cat on my chest.

It’s now 7:00 p.m. and I made it through the day without tears. Might not seem like a lot, but today’s success gives me confidence and momentum for tomorrow. I’m celebrating with this wildflower bouquet.

Routt National Forest. July 12, 2022.

This bouquet is also offered up to anyone else struggling out there. You aren’t alone. You are beautiful and enough, just as you are. Keep shining your light.

Thankful Thursday

/ Tracy Abell / 10 Comments

Today I am thankful for:
beautiful surprises along the trail,

Lynx Pass Campground. July 13, 2022

creatives & their creations,
hitting SEND on a brand new manuscript to my agent,
rain last night & cooler temperatures today,
and my family, friends, and comrades in this beautiful & brutal world.

focus unfocus

/ Tracy Abell / 2 Comments

Sometimes it’s good to blur the lines a bit.

May 9, 2022

Disclosure: my intent in taking this photo was to capture the entire image in sharp focus. Didn’t turn out that way. But that’s okay, because focus isn’t always the be-all, end-all. It’s healthy to balance focus and a lack of focus. At least, that’s what I tell myself when I awaken from yet another bout of daydreaming.