The Daily Boost (published weekdays) is one of the newsletters of The Raft, the online community of author Phyllis Cole-Dai. We Rafters ride the river of life buoyed by music, poetry, and other arts, along with open spiritual practice. Most everything here is free, but patrons (paid subscribers) get some special perks because Phyllis is extra grateful for their support. Sign up here:
THE NEIGHBORS Jack Ridl Sometimes they go outside, maybe move a rosebush to the back yard or clean a window. Usually they simply stand, under a maple or in a snowfall. And this is often when they see a nuthatch on its dizzy route down a trunk, or the quick flick of a chickadee across the yard and onto a branch. They don't do much. That's for others. They know how to take things for granted, know what to miss. Every morning they make breakfast. And when the sun sets, they let it go. (from Practicing to Walk Like a Heron)
(My thanks to Jack Ridl.)
The Gentle Nudge
TODAY (THURSDAY): Poetry Pick-Me-Up (Zoom, 12:00-1:00PM Central, at this link)
MONDAY (SEPTEMBER 9): “Riffing on The Singing Stick”—my online book bash. I’d love for you to come! Details and RSVP here.
"They know what to take for granted, and know what to miss." Tonight I was determined to water plants outside in the near dark, grumbling about the inconvenience, and irritated that I started so late, until . . . I became aware of what I was missing: the cool refreshing air, the crickets, the glistening of water drops on leaves, the joy of moistening the dry earth for survival.
“And when the sun
sets, they let it go.”
Thanks… to the poet & the post-er💕
Tomorrow will be another day.
Or not.
Bowing to what is
Within our control.
And not.
EJS, 7/3/25