A beautiful post of land and sea connections as always Imogen, I love reading what you write. Thank you.
I am glad that your childhood dream is manifesting itself and your subscribers are the lucky beneficiaries.
I often wonder about blackbirds. Like you, I have a returning blackbird and her mate. I have often wondered if blackbirds are another bird that mates for life? Each year I see a patient father blackbird encouraging his fledgling to fly. Apparently because they are ground feeders the fledglings fly or tumble to the ground and then the male blackbird watches over them, encouraging them to take of from the ground - at least that’s what my neighbour told me. Maybe we just have clumsy blackbirds!Certainly most years I hear the chirps and squabbles between them before the fluffy fledgling gets the idea and flys away.
I adore the various May moon names too.
I always call the Sagittarius moon in Gemini (not always in May of course)Potent moon because for me that seems to encompass its energy of fire and air elements.
Thank you for all your wonderful writing, it cheers me up no end when they arrive. xx
Thank you Nikki for your lovely words. I smiled to think that my writing would cheer anyone up - what better incentive could there be? That is wonderful to hear. And speaking of words, I really love your name Potent Moon; so evocative and resonant of the season whether it falls in May or in June.
Yes, in my experience it’s the male blackbird who steps in after fledging takes place, helping the young ones learn how to feed themselves and generally keeping them close to him. I often reflect that he has by far the easiest role though, as the female has had to spend all those patient solitary hours on the nest, interspersed with flying and forth providing continuous nutrition to a soundtrack of seeming complaints that the food is too long in arriving!
I hope so too as it’s very special. Lindsay, who also commented, has had a similar experience so I am guessing it’s not uncommon and there’s a good chance that you will find yourself in that situation one day. Fingers crossed!
I’m reading this after watching your latest video Imogen, where you talked about your blackbird mamma. The piece you’ve written here mirrors my own experience with ‘Betty’, my friend and companion for the last four years! What very special birds they are. Betty raised several broods a year and we got to know each other during the silence of lockdown, when she would sit with me as I potted up seedlings, hoping for some mealworms. Your description of your blackbird and your love for her had me in tears, because I know that feeling! Betty would hop into my kitchen if I wasn’t quick enough with the bird food. I miss her so much, but I left notes and food for the new owners of my house. As for your newsletters, I enjoy everything you write - short or long - so as long as it brings you joy, please carry on! ❤️
Thank you Lindsay, both for your beautiful blackbird story and for your kind and encouraging words about the newsletter. I’m glad I’m not the only one to feel a real sense of friendship with a blackbird and that it’s not too fanciful a notion. It’s really made my day to hear about your experiences and I feel a little emotional too. I’m sure your old home will have chosen its new occupants wisely and that they will be exactly the right people to keep the relationship thriving.
I love your newsletters! The longer the better I say. I held my breath for a moment when I was reading, I thought you might chop recipes out!! But no xx I have loved each one and make some regularly 🙏🏻
Thank you Robyn for your lovely words and it’s a delight to me to know that you’ve not only tried the recipes but that some have become regulars in your household! No I will never chop them out as I feel they are an essential part of the mix. It’s just that I have been trying to do everything, every time and worrying that if I leave anything out it will be disappointing for my lovely regular readers. But I’ve realised that’s not a good way to think about it and I can just vary things each time to (hopefully!) keep things light and fresh. I’m
definitely planning for a recipe next time, at the new moon!
I too love these love letters to land and sea and air and try a lot of the recipes.
I’m late to replying to this one as the full moon has passed but I’d have to go with Hare Moon, as the cottontails are nightly visitors, wisely dropping by after the cat is inside for the night.
St Pega energy is strong as I remember this swan image from one of your videos as I thought it would make a wonderful painting! With your permission I would love to have a go at it.
Oh, what a lovely girl she is, too. <3 Gorgeous poem and beach ritual, I love the way you gather together and offer to us these treasures, thank you. xo
A beautiful post of land and sea connections as always Imogen, I love reading what you write. Thank you.
I am glad that your childhood dream is manifesting itself and your subscribers are the lucky beneficiaries.
I often wonder about blackbirds. Like you, I have a returning blackbird and her mate. I have often wondered if blackbirds are another bird that mates for life? Each year I see a patient father blackbird encouraging his fledgling to fly. Apparently because they are ground feeders the fledglings fly or tumble to the ground and then the male blackbird watches over them, encouraging them to take of from the ground - at least that’s what my neighbour told me. Maybe we just have clumsy blackbirds!Certainly most years I hear the chirps and squabbles between them before the fluffy fledgling gets the idea and flys away.
I adore the various May moon names too.
I always call the Sagittarius moon in Gemini (not always in May of course)Potent moon because for me that seems to encompass its energy of fire and air elements.
Thank you for all your wonderful writing, it cheers me up no end when they arrive. xx
Thank you Nikki for your lovely words. I smiled to think that my writing would cheer anyone up - what better incentive could there be? That is wonderful to hear. And speaking of words, I really love your name Potent Moon; so evocative and resonant of the season whether it falls in May or in June.
Yes, in my experience it’s the male blackbird who steps in after fledging takes place, helping the young ones learn how to feed themselves and generally keeping them close to him. I often reflect that he has by far the easiest role though, as the female has had to spend all those patient solitary hours on the nest, interspersed with flying and forth providing continuous nutrition to a soundtrack of seeming complaints that the food is too long in arriving!
I loved your description of your relationship with the female blackbird. I haven’t had that experience. Fingers crossed one day I will.
I hope so too as it’s very special. Lindsay, who also commented, has had a similar experience so I am guessing it’s not uncommon and there’s a good chance that you will find yourself in that situation one day. Fingers crossed!
I’m reading this after watching your latest video Imogen, where you talked about your blackbird mamma. The piece you’ve written here mirrors my own experience with ‘Betty’, my friend and companion for the last four years! What very special birds they are. Betty raised several broods a year and we got to know each other during the silence of lockdown, when she would sit with me as I potted up seedlings, hoping for some mealworms. Your description of your blackbird and your love for her had me in tears, because I know that feeling! Betty would hop into my kitchen if I wasn’t quick enough with the bird food. I miss her so much, but I left notes and food for the new owners of my house. As for your newsletters, I enjoy everything you write - short or long - so as long as it brings you joy, please carry on! ❤️
Thank you Lindsay, both for your beautiful blackbird story and for your kind and encouraging words about the newsletter. I’m glad I’m not the only one to feel a real sense of friendship with a blackbird and that it’s not too fanciful a notion. It’s really made my day to hear about your experiences and I feel a little emotional too. I’m sure your old home will have chosen its new occupants wisely and that they will be exactly the right people to keep the relationship thriving.
I love your newsletters! The longer the better I say. I held my breath for a moment when I was reading, I thought you might chop recipes out!! But no xx I have loved each one and make some regularly 🙏🏻
Thank you Robyn for your lovely words and it’s a delight to me to know that you’ve not only tried the recipes but that some have become regulars in your household! No I will never chop them out as I feel they are an essential part of the mix. It’s just that I have been trying to do everything, every time and worrying that if I leave anything out it will be disappointing for my lovely regular readers. But I’ve realised that’s not a good way to think about it and I can just vary things each time to (hopefully!) keep things light and fresh. I’m
definitely planning for a recipe next time, at the new moon!
I too love these love letters to land and sea and air and try a lot of the recipes.
I’m late to replying to this one as the full moon has passed but I’d have to go with Hare Moon, as the cottontails are nightly visitors, wisely dropping by after the cat is inside for the night.
St Pega energy is strong as I remember this swan image from one of your videos as I thought it would make a wonderful painting! With your permission I would love to have a go at it.
Oh, what a lovely girl she is, too. <3 Gorgeous poem and beach ritual, I love the way you gather together and offer to us these treasures, thank you. xo