Issue #46 The Magic Heron Newsletter – What creature teaches us about gratitude?

Welcome to the 46th issue of The Magic Heron Newsletter, a fortnightly newsletter with a focus on journaling, writing, and learning nature’s wisdom through midlife. 

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Texas, November 20, 2022

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Hi there  !

This week Greebo is letting her inner wild lion/panther/saber tooth tiger out and learning how to use those fangs and claws. She grabs my hand with her teeth and front feet (read claws) while rapidly kicking with the back feet (claws again). 

The main word thrown around our house now is “NO”! And then she gets put back in the crate for a few minutes until she settles down. 

I also let her explore the top of my bed, and she immediately bailed off the edge and discovered the underworld beneath. After playing like a hellion, she settles down and wants kisses and to be held. 

We are having a Cyber Week Sale at the Magic Heron Creations Etsy shop! See the section below for all the info. All printables are 33% off from now until November 30^th.

And, I want to thank you for being a part of my newsletter. I hope you enjoy these newsletters as much as I do creating them. Thank you for opening them up, reading, and clicking through to the links you find interesting. I appreciate you!

This week’s Newsletter Spirit Animal is the Wild Turkey.

This week’s Newsletter Spirit Animal

Wild Turkey Symbolism and Meanings:

Long before the Pilgrim’s “first meal” in 1621, Turkey was a symbol of abundance and thanksgiving for Native Americans, Aztecs, Toltecs, and Mayans. 

They were prized for their beautiful feathers and cocky pride and referred to as the “jeweled bird”.

Wild Turkey Symbolism and Meanings:

• Abundance
• Generosity
• Awareness
• Pride
• Virility
• Fertility
• Sacrifice
• Community
• Cycles
• Harvest
• Endings
• Beginnings
• Preparation 

Turkey is a symbol of the autumn months and remind us of endings, beginnings, and harvesting from the abundance of the season.

Turkey symbolizes the blessings we have received and taking time to show gratitude. Turkey reminds us of the importance of our relationship and connection to the land and nature for our nourishment and sustenance. 

Turkey brings a message too of community, of sharing and generosity, and paying attention to the people who are part of our lives. 

–

Recently Published . . .

New in the Etsy Shop

1. Fall Hiking Boots and Watercolor Autumn Leaves Printable Stationery Writing Paper, Letter Writing Paper, Digital Download

2. Pumpkin Harvest and Crow Stationery Printable Stationery Writing Paper, Letter Writing Paper, Digital Download

–

Recently Published . . .

New Books!

My daughter and I created a whole line of Writer’s Notebooks with sarcastic sayings. Use them for NaNoWriMo, notetaking, for work, or journaling!

You can find the rest of the series on the Magic Heron Amazon Author Page

1. Writer–An Epic Creature At The Mercy of Punctuation: A Writer’s Notebook

2. Writer–An Epic Creature Plagued by Writing: A Writer’s Notebook

Interesting links . . .

Here are some interesting links I came across on my ventures through Internet Land this week that I thought you might enjoy.

1. Easy-To-Make Apple And Blackberry Crumble

2. Tired of Turkey? Four Ways to Spice Up Thanksgiving Dinner

3. 10 Home Remedies for Headaches – Headache Relief That Works

4. 6 Ways to Get the Musty Smell Out of Clothes and Towels

5. The Vibrance of Vinegar: How to Make Vinegar From Scratch

***I use Mountain Rose Herbs for ordering all the herbs I use. Every order I’ve received has always been fresh and gorgeous. Click here to order the herbs you need for your teas, infusions, spices, and other ingredients for your kitchen:

Mountain Rose Herbs

Cyber Week Etsy Sale . . . 

I wanted to let you know that today starts the Cyber Week Sale at the Magic Heron Creations Etsy Shop!

Everything in the shop is 30% off starting today and ends on the 30th. 

So go grab some planners, bookmarks, stationery, spirit animal journals, or coloring pages! They are easy to print off at home or at an office supply store. Some stores can even bind them for you as well. 

Autumn Fun  . . .

Fall Nature Bucket List! Press plants in a book!

How to press plants at home

Fun Idea From: Fall Nature Bucket List

Nature Walk Video . . .

Nature video to play in the background while you work, walk on a treadmill, or just to relax to!

2 HOURS of Beautiful Autumn – 4K Golden Colors of Autumn – Forest Relaxation with Calm Music

Journaling Inspiration . . 

1. Why Write? Holding Onto Memories

2. So, What is a Writer’s Journal?

3. THE DEFINITIVE ANSWER TO THE QUESTION OF WHY WRITERS DON’T WRITE

4. I Tried Using A Sketchbook As A Bullet Journal

5. How to Design Your Own Life Binder

Random Nature Fact . . .

Have you heard of a “corpse flower”? There are 28 kinds of corpse flowers which is a rare jungle plant. The huge flowers smell like death and rot, attracting the pollinator insects it needs. The flowers take up to 9 months to grow and then decay with a couple of days.

Check out this time lapse video of a corpse flower:

Corpse Flower Blooming Time Lapse – Cincinnati Zoo

Nature Journal Video . . . 

1. You already are an expert in turkey anatomy from your studies at the dinner table. Turn your turkey knowledge upside down for a fun and fast way to build up your turkey sketching skills! No Tomfoolery here!

How to Draw A Turkey

Nature Journal Prompt . . .

Use the picture above to practice drawing in your nature journal and noticing details about this animal.

Lifespan: 3-5 years, in the wild

Scientific name: Meleagris gallopavo

Wingspan: 4.1 – 4.7 ft

Habitat: mixed-conifer and hardwood forests, with open spaces to find food. Riparian zones along streams, rivers for roosting, nesting, water, food, and cover. 

Speed: 18 mph on foot, 50 mph in flight

What it eats: Spring—leaves, grasses. Fall—fruits, berries, seeds, insects, acorns

What eats (or preys on) it: coyotes, bobcats, raccoons, mountain lions, Golden Eagles, Great Horned Owls, hunters. Nest predators—raccoons, opossums, striped skunks, gray foxes, woodchucks, rat snakes, bull snakes, birds, rodents

Did you know? 

An adult turkey has 5,000-6,000 feathers and were originally kept for their feathers. They were honored by the Aztecs and Mayans who wore the feathers in necklaces, headdresses, jewelry, and clothing. 

The History of Wild Turkey Birds

Nature Tip:

Check out this link to see a list of Wildlife Refuges where you can see wild turkeys

Wild Facts About Wild Turkeys

What I’m watching . . .

1. My daughter and I got caught up in the Yellowstone fever last year and the first two episodes of Season 5 that just dropped did not disappoint. 

Yellowstone Season 5 Official Trailer | Paramount Network

What I’m reading . . .

1. Keeping a Journal You Love by Sheila Bender

What I’m Listening to . . . 

1. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon at this autumn-themed campsite by the lake. This one includes some seriously relaxing audio, including sounds of the snapping campfire, lapping water, and the distant rustle of trees. See if you can spot some animal friends that make an appearance.

Autumn Campfire Ambience | Cozy Autumn by the Lake | Very Relaxing Autumn Sounds and ASMR

Quotes I’m Pondering . . .

“Nature is, above all, profligate. Don’t believe them when they tell you how economical and thrifty nature is, whose leaves return to the soil. Wouldn’t it be cheaper to leave them on the tree in the first place? This deciduous business alone is a radical scheme, the brainchild of a deranged manic-depressive with limitless capital. Extravagance! Nature will try anything once.” –Annie Dillard

and

“The leaves fall, the wind blows, and the farm country slowly changes from the summer cottons into its winter woods.” –Henry Beston

Questions I’m considering journaling on . . . 

What are some of my favorite memories from past Thanksgiving holidays? How can I be creative and add these to a Life Journal to pass on to my kids?

Journal Prompt . . .

If you celebrate Thanksgiving, or just want to practice gratitude/thankfulness (anytime of the year!), try these prompts in your journal:

• Journal 10 things you are grateful for in your life. 
• Write a letter to someone that you are thankful for.
• What makes Thanksgiving meaningful for you?
• What is your favorite part of Thanksgiving? (family, friends, food, etc)
• How do you practice gratitude/thankfulness in your daily life?
• What challenges or experiences in your life have taught you gratitude?

Happy Journaling!

. . . Shanna

P.S. Is there something you like or would rather see in the newsletter? Hit reply and let me know!

I’ll be back on December 4th!

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Links

Shanna Lea Author website
Books on Amazon
Magic Heron Creations Notebooks on Amazon
Magic Heron Creations Etsy Shop

. . . Shanna Lea Author

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