Alaska’s 2015-2016 winter was the second warmest on record, dating back to 1925. And here on Kodiak Island, it’s been one of the rainiest. So when the clouds parted a few days ago, I took my camera for a walk along an ocean bluff, edged with spruce trees, in search of spring wildflowers and fresh greenery.
It was early for wild orchids (I promise to post later), but I came upon clumps of graceful fiddlehead ferns. I crouched down onto my belly, grateful for the mattress of moss, to study the tall stems that hadn’t completely unfurled.
Oh my.
Suddenly I felt warm and tingly. Not thunder and lightning stuff. Just a subtle shift from looking at stems and fronds to seeing heads and outstretched “arms.” As if recognizing a long lost friend, I smiled and mentally sent a greeting, “Hello there.”
When I finally picked up my camera and started composing the image, I felt like I was taking a portrait…
A similarity between blood and chlorophyll. Really?
A few days after meeting Fernie, I came across an interesting blog post, The amazing similarity between blood and chlorophyll where the author looks at common links between plants and humans. “Chlorophyll contains oxygen, carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen, and magnesium, whilst hemoglobin from the blood contains iron at the place of magnesium. Both iron and magnesium are metallic atoms.”
How similar are we, humans and plants?
It is definitely food for thought, to behold the Oneness in all.
Meanwhile, I’m celebrating spring in new ways and looking forward to more discoveries along my inner Journey.
“Behold, my friends, the spring is come; the earth has gladly received the embraces of the sun, and we shall soon see the results of their love!” ~~ Sitting Bull
A Sitka spruce tree seems to reach out to hikers passing by in a Kodiak, Alaska forest. (Marion Owen photo)
I’m Marion Owen. I work, relax, and love life in Kodiak, Alaska. I’ve worked on research ships, created photographs that hang in The Smithsonian, given up cheese and meat, and enjoy watching bumblebees and snowflakes. And somewhere along the line, I co-authored the New York Times bestseller, Chicken Soup for the Gardener’s Soul. I’m learning how to not do too much. To be authentic, embrace joy, and not burn the oatmeal.
Thank you for being here,
No Comments
Melissa
May 4, 2016 at 10:36 AMYour photos definitely make one think of moving to Alaska, but I think I’ll stay in Oregon. Saw a Japanese cooking show the other day where she battered and fried fiddleheads. I’ve not had them cooked that way or on pizza. Would be worth trying! M.
marionowen
May 4, 2016 at 7:00 PMFunny I should read your fiddlehead comment today… this afternoon we visited friends who live off the grid an hour’s boat ride away; we feasted on picked beets, homemade sausage, smoked salmon and pickled fiddleheads. What a treat!
Candy
April 25, 2016 at 5:01 PMMarion, you did “humanize” the fern. A little unsettling but they are so tasty…Enjoyed your thoughts and photos as usual. Miss the Kodiak forest. It is so beautiful and unique. Enjoy the spring.
marionowen
April 26, 2016 at 8:19 AMThanks, Candy… You miss the spruce forests… I bet you miss the green and freshness they provide. I hope your spring is lovely, though. Big hugs.
daryleone
April 25, 2016 at 1:54 PMNice try, Marion, I’m still going to eat a few fiddleheads before they unfurl! I only clip a couple from the bunch that pop up from each root stalk every spring. There will always be some to hug and some to keep the clan well-fed for next year. Fiddleheads are somewhat poisonous (that’s what I tell all my friends) until they are par-boiled for about five minutes and drained very well. Then they are sauteed with coarsely-sliced thick bacon dices until just barely tender, about the same time as when the bacon is almost crisp. A couple of grinds of Tellicherry black pepper, pink Himalayan salt, and a few scratches of fresh nutmeg and you will have a spring treat that tastes like you just got hugged!
marionowen
April 26, 2016 at 8:19 AMA yummy recipe. And yes, I do enjoy eating fiddleheads. On pizza, too.
Diana
April 25, 2016 at 8:56 AMLovely photos and thoughts, Marion. A good reminder to sit quietly and see what miracles are around us rather than be preoccupied by the thoughts whirling around in our heads. Give my best to the fern(s).
Diana
marionowen
April 25, 2016 at 11:12 AMYou are so right, Diana. And it seems we have to work harder to be still, with all the media and other distractions around us. Hugs to Jack and Bob.
Eva
April 24, 2016 at 10:20 PMLove this post, especially Fernie, the hugger : ))
marionowen
April 25, 2016 at 7:53 AMThanks, Eva. The hug was, well, rather unexpected. I was there, taking photos, pretty much working out of my head, if you know what I mean. So it was a sweet surprise. Also a heads-up reminder to wake up and smell the roses (get hugged by a fern).
Velda
April 24, 2016 at 9:20 PMAs usual, an in sight full post, thought provoking and interesting . Always save your post to read last, like dessert!
marionowen
April 25, 2016 at 7:54 AMThank you Velda. There’s a saying, “The beauty of roses bypasses not the wisdom of ferns.” Enjoy your day!