20211021_175700

often enough i wake in the morning before first light and have misgivings about what i had posted here the night before,  in the Dark.   Too much this or that…not enough.    But then when i read it…it's ok.    It's true and the trueness is ok enough and i just go.     This morning….not.    I'd quit last night because it wasn't.  But  i was unsure what wasn't so just gave up and went to sleep.  It was cold.  

What wasn't was the word.   Reciprocity which is a very sacred word to me.   A loved word.   Like,  really Loved word.    A holy word.   

i looked at this pie plate with some of what B Garden has given.   What's reciprocal?    What Received?    I did.   What was given?   other than what was necessary so that i could receive?   What was given for Other?,  in this case,  this Hill?   What was given to Hill in reciprocal exchange?    

it was all for me.   or me and my Own.    

What is reciprocal about Us on this Hill,  this Hill of Land,  Earth?   We are squatters.   Hill has been here.  The Trees have been here.  This Earth has been here.    Because of the Old Cowboy,  who came from a long line of squatters,    my daughter and her daughter were given enough MONEY to

purchase

this Place.  This Hill.  These 6 acres.    And as the story went,  they brought an old woman and Jenny's Goats and a dog and 2 cats and they changed it forever so far.

WHAT is reciprocal about this?    

Old woman likes to plant things,  grow things so she uses a pic to break up the granite soil.  She brings in bags of stuff from Tractor Supply and adds it,  positions pots.  Goes religiously,  RELIGIOUSLY,  Every Day and gives her plants water.   She makes a funny little bird bath on a metal chair.   She finally grows some flowers.  and Bees come.     Goats roam,  like deer may have before,  but they are confined to the acres by fence,  so they roam in repeated patterns  changing the Earth with their shit.  

WHAT is reciprocal.   

 

 

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13 responses to “reciprocity …….?????? not really?????? or”

  1. LaceLady Avatar
    LaceLady

    “reciprocity ~ the characteristic of being reciprocal” ~ such a glorious photo illustration of profound concepts….
    I immediately thought of making Shaksuka ~ from the Hill

    Like

  2. Nancy Avatar

    I had to go research “Shaksuka”
    “https://downshiftology.com/recipes/shakshuka/”
    Grace~ A beautiful, simple gift

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  3. jude Avatar

    always a filling thing.

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  4. Liz A Avatar

    to give and be given …

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  5. Deb G Avatar

    And then to return… Just about finished reading Poet Warrior. I am going slowly.

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  6. Faith Avatar

    Beautiful. In so many ways.

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  7. Faith Avatar

    Or, as you might put it . . . BEAUTY-full.

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  8. Marti Avatar
    Marti

    You give to the Hill a respect and reverence; you do not litter or destroy. Your impact on the land is minimal and your arrival has not desecrated the Hill in any way shape or form. The trees and beings who live on the Hill did so before you arrived, continue to do so and will do so, after you are gone.
    What you have done is expand the concept of living communally with nature, in a thoughtful, caring way. Your Hill not only nourishes you by your efforts but your efforts have brought more life to the Hill, increased the arrival of butterflies and more than likely, beneficial worms, etc.
    The Hill sat silent, unknown: your arrival has brought something else that I feel is so important. You are using all that the Hill is and offers and turning it into one of the best learning environments and experiences for the children in your family.
    THAT in and of itself, is the most pure form of reciprocity because you have acknowledged the impact and meaning of this land and said through word and deed:
    I will come to know and understand how it is to live here.
    I will teach the children how to be good stewards of the land.
    In so doing, they will come to know what it is to respect and use from the land,only what is needed from the land.
    If we are ever going to take care of our beloved Earth, this is the how we will do so.
    Reciprocity in action.

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  9. Mo Crow Avatar

    (((Grace))) you show us with your life on The Hill how every single thing loves to be loved and loves in return

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  10. maria Avatar
    maria

    Yes MO , she does ” how everything loves to be loved and loves in return “

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  11. grace Forrest Avatar

    To ALL. i am still. Very Much, Still thinking.

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  12. CatherinE Avatar

    Now I am thinking too… thanks to you.

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  13. grace Forrest Avatar

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