3-11-2025 12:35pm

The Natural World

Christine Larkin Editor

SKYLARK'S ARTICLE OF THE WEEK - THE NATURAL WORLD

It's Daylight Savings time (yay), and the natural world is coming back to life. There are already buds on the trees, and the birds are chirping at dawn. They know Spring is near. The robin red breast has returned.

There are many other natural wonders just waiting for their turn. The tulip is one of them. I planted bulbs at the end of last fall. I eagerly await their bloom. The tulip originated as a wildflower in Central Asia and was first cultivated by the Turks around 1000 AD where it became a symbol of power due to its resemblance to a turban. With the name "tulip" itself coming from the Turkish word for turban, the flower was later introduced to Western Europe, primarily through the botanist Carolus Clusius, who spread its popularity by planting them in the gardens of the University of Leiden in the late 16th century, leading to the famous "Tulip Mania" in the Netherlands during the 17th century when tulip bulbs were traded at exorbitant prices. Here are some interesting key points about the tulip's history:

Origin: Central Asia, specifically areas near modern-day Kazakhstan.
Early cultivation: Ottoman Empire, where tulips were highly prized by sultans and wealthy elites.
Introduction to Europe: Primarily credited to Carolus Clusius, a botanist who planted tulips in the Vienna Imperial Botanical Gardens and later at Leiden University.
"Tulip Mania": A period in the Netherlands during the 17th century when tulip bulbs became incredibly valuable, leading to a speculative market frenzy.
Symbolism: The tulip is often associated with love and luxury due to its historical association with the Ottoman elite.

Do you know that the first flower to bloom in Spring is the crocus. It has a long history of use in art, medicine, and as a dye.

History of Cultivation:

The crocus was cultivated in Minoan Crete around 1500 BC
The Romans introduced the crocus to Britain, where it was used to dye textiles
The Crusaders reintroduced the crocus to Western Europe
The first crocus in the Netherlands was brought back from the Roman Empire in the 1560s
The earliest settlers brought crocus to North America

History of Use:

The Egyptians used crocus medicinally
Roman women used saffron to dye their hair and textiles
Medieval monks used saffron instead of gold leaf in their paintings
Saffron is still used today as an alternative medicine
Crocus-based pigments were used in prehistoric cave paintings in northwestern Iran

History in Mythology:

Crocus was turned into a flower by Flora, the goddess of flowers, after he was rejected by his lover, Smilax
In another myth, Hermes accidentally killed Crocus in a discus game and turned him into a flower

Other History:

The crocus is mentioned in the Song of Solomon in the Old Testament
The term "crocus" is often used interchangeably with "saffron"

The natural world is our salvation. It calms us. It invigorates us. It inspires us to dream. When we spend time in the natural world, we feel happier. We are free.

Mental Health Benefits:

Stress Reduction: Nature exposure can lower cortisol levels (the stress hormone) and relax muscle tension, leading to a sense of calm and well-being.
Improved Mood: Spending time outdoors can reduce anxiety and even lower the risk of depression.
Enhanced Cognitive Function: Nature can improve attention, focus, and memory, as well as restore mental abilities like short-term memory.
Increased Creativity: Being in nature can stimulate creativity and facilitate problem-solving.
Reduced Anxiety and Worry: Nature can help quiet the "worrying" part of the brain, leading to reduced anxiety and improved mood.
Increased Self-Esteem: Spending time in nature can lead to a sense of accomplishment and increased self-esteem.

Physical Health Benefits:

Increased Physical Activity: Nature provides opportunities for outdoor activities like hiking, walking, and biking, which we all know are beneficial for cardiovascular health.
Lower Blood Pressure and Heart Rate: Studies show that being in nature can lower blood pressure and heart rate, contributing to better cardiovascular health.
Improved Sleep: Exposure to green space has been linked to better sleep quality.
Reduced Risk of Chronic Diseases: Spending time in nature may decrease the risk of developing chronic diseases like heart disease, obesity, and diabetes.
Boosted Immune System: Exposure to nature can elevate levels of natural killer (NK) cells, which are important for fighting off infections.
Pain Management and Recovery: Nature can have a positive impact on pain management and recovery for patients recovering from surgery.

Try to take some time each day to spend in the natural world. Even if it's a 10-minute walk, it will make you feel better. Let the sun warm your skin. Take a few minutes to be still. Earth is preparing for a new season. How wonderful. Nature is our home.

Peace and Love,

Skylark

At 60 and Beyond, spending time in nature can give us more vitality so we can enjoy other things we like to do as well.

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SKYLARK'S PICK OF THE WEEK

Guitarist and vocalist, Ana Popovic, will be performing this Saturday night at 8:00pm at The Boulton Center in Bay Shore. The award-winning, hard-touring, guitar slinger blends smoking electric funk and slide guitar, jazzy instrumentals and a tight blues groove with soulful, feminine vocals. Add to the mix her incredible stage presence, all of which makes her an irresistible force in the world of contemporary blues music. Her sound simply never stands still. She’s pushing limits, bending genres, and reinventing her music and herself with every note.

I've got my tickets. Do you have yours? Visit www.boultoncenter.org.

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SKYLARK'S HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK

The highlight of the week was knowing that the fires on the east end of Long Island have been contained with minimal damage. There was one firefighter who suffered some burns and two businesses and one home that were damaged. Let's be grateful things did not get out of control. It could have been so much worse. Nature will prevail.

SKYLARK'S PRAYER OF THE WEEK

Dear God,

Please protect our natural world from fires. Thank you to all of our firemen and first responders who put out the wildfires on Long Island this weekend. Amen.

SKYLARK'S INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OF THE WEEK

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SKYLARK'S QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK

Where do you like to spend time in nature?

Please put your answer in the comment section under this article. I'd love to hear from you.

SKYLARK'S SONG OF THE WEEK - OUT IN THE COUNTRY by THREE DOG NIGHT

LYRICS

Whenever I need to leave it all behind
Or feel the need to get away-ay-ay
I find a quiet place, far from the human race
Out in the country

Before the breathin' air is gone
Before the sun is just a bright spot in the night-time
Out where the rivers like to run
I stand alone and take back somethin' worth rememberin'

Whenever I feel them closing in on me
Or need a bit of room to move
When life becomes too fast, I find relief at last
Out in the country

Before the breathin' air is gone
Before the sun is just a bright spot in the night-time
Out where the rivers like to run
I stand alone and take back somethin' worth rememberin'

Before the breathin' air is gone
Before the sun is just a bright spot in the night-time

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ABOUT MY BRAND, SKYLARK LIVE -60 AND BEYOND WITH SKYLARK

My brand was born when I turned 60 years old and noticed a profound shift - mind, body, and soul. I wanted to talk about it and share what I was experiencing with other women to help them navigate this age as well. My brand consists of a weekly newsletter and a monthly vlog designed to motivate and inspire women over 60 to thrive in older age through knowledge and self-awareness. I will also consider in-person one-hour chats called The Skylark Sessions in your home or at a local library or senior center. Email me at christineskylark@aol.com
or call me at 917-903-5713 if you are interested. This can be one-on-one or with a small group of women.

Weekly Newsletter - My weekly newsletter features articles about human interest, nature, general observations, happiness, dreams, inspiration, motivation, music, and ideas I want to explore. The topics are endless. I represent Bay Shore and the greater Town of Islip community. There is also a calendar of events. I throw in Italian words, too, because I love the language and all things Italian. Bella Italia! As a paying subscriber, you will receive my newsletter each Wednesday morning in your email. That gives you a head's up, but you can also subscribe for free. And you can advertise your business or event in my newsletter as well. Just click this link below to subscribe:

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WHERE TO FOLLOW AND SUPPORT ME

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Thank you for your love and support! Grazie per il vostro amore e sostegno!