Living Green and Dancing with Love

On By Michele LeeIn Dancing, Inspirational People, nature, Poetic Prose, Video

Tasting fresh basil straight from the garden is a mouth-awakening delight. Traces of soil and sun, with a hint of spice, released with each bite. More flavorful is our rooted plant than from its cousin, sold in the market down the road – the plant with lighter green leaves under fluorescent lights. The one that traveled far to wilt in kitchens nearby and whose leaves have been touched by many, including machines and pesticides. Under what conditions was the market plant grown – I do not exactly know. A tiny label tells us less than it hides. I do appreciate the efforts put forth to bring produce to market by those working hard for an honest pay. God bless the men and women in the fields, sunbaked with calloused hands, who toil for our nourishment day after day. No fault of theirs that the green life they pull and pluck, from soil depleted, quickly fades.

I have nurtured many gardens through the years, with a green thumb, I’ve been told. Never the garden of my dreams, living where the scorching summer sun takes a toll. With autumn’s arrival it was time to start again, sowing new seeds for winter’s reap. A cherished garden memory I have from several years ago, when my daughter was a baby: kneeling on the ground with her in my arms, we held the green garden hose. Giggles when water splashed in her face. Ladybugs and butterflies became her backyard friends. More giggles when we ate watermelon grown into funny shapes after being planted too close to a chain link fence. Up the wires the vines did ascend, then gravity took care of the rest.

Until more fresh veggies grow, to the market I go, buying organic whenever I can, then it’s back to my kitchen where I clean, chop, and prepare. Please know, my kitchen is a plant-based one, so should you arrive with a hankering for sizzling pork or a juicy steak, you won’t find that here, just delicious veggie dishes, made with loving care and served on Fiestaware.

Featured Art, “Regenerate,” by Artist Sammi Lee – the one who once played in the garden is now adding her own beauty to the world. To see more of her incredible talent, including art-inspired clothing, visit her site: Mintaka Collection While there, sign up for her art-infused newsletter and receive a discount on first purchase with New Moon discounts each month. 🌕 I receive no commissions for this endorsement, just a fan of the arts highlighting an independent artist who employs sustainable practices. Proud mom too.💖

A special Thank You to Masticadores – Spain and J RE CRIVELLO for featuring my flash fiction piece, “A Sky Painted the Colors of Love“ 💚

Thank you for visiting and reading. Scroll down for my music-related feature: Mike Love’s “Babylon Control” and my dance, inspired by the same. Please read his lyrics, at the bottom of the page. If you are not familiar with this song, they are worth a read. The portion shared in my dance clip is in bold. Eat your veggies! Be well. 💗 Michele

My Friday night “Happy Hour” – Dancing with Mike Love. 🎶💗 My dance clip is blurry at the start, and then some. It’s not your eyes. My new notSmart phone is dumb. I am no help – shaking my bum. I seem to be one step up, two steps back with video technology. 💃🏼 No time for retakes. If only Mr. Siri could be my videographer! 😂

“Babylon Control” by Mike Love

I dreamt last night that the end had come
I was searching everywhere for food, but there was none
Bodies laying burned in the midday sun
Nowhere to hide
Nowhere to run

I went to the city but the city was gone
Irradiated with hatred and destroyed by a bomb
Behold the brilliant colors of the nuclear dawn
But there is no song
All has gone wrong

And when I awoke I could clearly see
The seeds of this vision Jah had given me
Planted deep within these aristocracies
Hypocrisy and
Power and greed

So wake up, to the fact that they’re controlling you
Whether or not your doing what you want to do
The system that we are living in is doomed, Oh!
Jah knows it’s true
And I man, I know it’s true

And I’m just telling you this
Because I love you breddren!
Through and through I man true, until the very end
The sweeter the kiss
The stronger the poison!
And this is the reason that I idrens
Are dying for nothing

Oh, It’s Babylon control
It’s Hollywood mind control
They target the youth
I’ll show you the proof
Come on see the truth
It’s written on I am man soul
On I am man soul, yeah

It’s News media control
Political mind control, yeah
Get under your skin
They’re wearing you thin
But you no give in
For not all that glitter is gold, yeahoh

And in my vision I saw incurable disease
Genetically engineered by hateful enemies
All of this in the name of power and money
How could this be
The future for we?

The green and mighty forests of the Amazon
The lush valleys of Havaii are dead and gone
The once abundant and fertile land of Babylon
Now sand and stone
Stripped to the bone

Oh come quickly
They’re taking away our paradise
Separating us from the source all lives
Poisoning the seas and polluting the skies
Ignoring the cries and
Promoting the lies

So now that this vision has come into your life
I hope you will take up your part in the fight
Against those who seek to turn our day into night
You know it’s right
So stand up and fight

And I’m just telling you this
Because I love you mah sistrens!
Through and through I man true until the very end
The sweeter the kiss, don’t you know
The stronger the poison
And this is the reason that I idrens
Are dying for nothing

Oh, Babylon control
It’s Hollywood mind control
They target the youth
I’ll show you the proof
Come on see the truth
It’s written on a Rasta mans soul
Written on a ya mon soul

It’s News media control
Political mind control
Get under your skin
They’re wearing you thin
But do not give in
For not all that glitter is gold

For I have been fooled before
But now I ‘n’ I know
The difference between believing in what I man feel
And believing in what I been told
‘Cause their propaganda it burns like wildfire
Fire, fire, fire
They use it to turn broder against broda
Broda, broda, broda

It’s Babylon control
It’s Hollywood mind control
They target the youth
I’ll show you the proof
Come on see the truth
It’s written on Rrrrrrrrrr..

It’s news media control
Political mind control
Get under your skin
Still wearing you thin
But be no victim in this empire
Of glittering fool’s gold now

Featured Image: “Regenerate,” by Artist Sammi Lee Basil plant: my image

© 2021 Michele Lee Sefton

107 thoughts on “Living Green and Dancing with Love”

  1. Oh my!! I’m in love with your dance moves!!! 😍😍. Beautiful and so graceful. Love the ‘green’ post too💞💞. Well done on the publication of your poem! Stay blessed dear Michele.💕💐🌹🤗

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      1. Thanks a million, David. I am happy to share some new tunes with you. 🎶 I really love singing this one. I also love Love’s song, “Permanent Holiday.” He is so talented. And danceable. 😄 Keep up youngster! 🕺🏻 😂

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  2. Poetpas

    Green is good and green is healthy and green is yummy and awesome for the tummy. In fact I make an awesome green juice with my juicer occasionally. 2 green apples 🍏 (grandma smith) 2 pears, half a bag of spinach and 3 branches of fresh mint. Try it. I juice it with a Breville Juice Fountain. Awesome machine. Cheers! 🧟‍♀️

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    1. 😁 Yes, green is a most delightful color representing many wonderful things. Very smart of you to make and drink healthy juice drinks. I was heavy into juicing a few years ago – always adding new things, like beets and bitter melon – an awful tasting plant that has tremendous health benefits. A sweet apple helped balance the heavy bitter. I will give your recipe a try. Thank you. I have a Ninja-it’s ok. Cheers! 💚

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  3. Timothy Price

    Lovely dancing. You got a few hip shimmies in there. Very good. The dress has a belly dance vibe to it, and since I’ve known a lot of belly dancers was thinking you might adds more belly moves. Congrats on the publication. That’s good you have a green thumb. We don’t plant veggies anymore. The critters get more of the harvest than we do.

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    1. Thank you, Timothy, for your thoughtful comments. A fun way to spend Friday, late afternoon. I have never taken a belly-dancing class, but I have wanted to. I think I might like it. 😆 Those pesky critters! Covering the perimeter of the garden with netting has helped reduce some of the unwelcomed stealing and munching. Of course, there are critters lurking under the soil that also like to munch! Enjoy your day!

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  4. Such a beautiful great story Living Green and dancing with love,
    So stylish dancing glad to view 👌🏼🌹♥️ we can see the beauty of
    Working farmers, you and daughter’s beauty of love from this story 👏🏼🌿
    I and my daughter vegetarians 😀 Grace Wishes dear 🌹🙏🏼♥️🌹

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  6. Buddy Smith

    I love your garden memories. I have heard that a water melon, it’s newly emerged fruit placed within an empty milk carton, will mature to a square shape. Who knows if that’s true. You’re an amazing dancer!

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Thank you, Buddy. Wonderful memories. ✨ Funny watermelon fact, if it is indeed that. It seems plausible – that would be the only milk carton in my house. 😆 Thanks! Dancing brings me creativity and joy. 💝 A blessing that I never take for granted. 🙏🏻

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      2. You are most welcome, Phil. Never a need to apologize for that. Take all the time you need. Life is busy! Time spent writing poetry is time well spent. 😄 I could easily lose an entire day doing just that! 😆 🤔💭💻✨

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  8. You are a multi-talented woman Michele with your writing, dancing, cooking, teaching, and who knows what else! I love Sammi’s featured painting and your dance moves with some impressive abs! I miss my garden, digging in the dirt, and co-creating with nature.

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    1. You are very generous, Brad. I sincerely say thank you. 🙏🏻 Thank you on Sammi’s behalf too. Her work takes my breath away. So gorgeous! She is a decent writer too! 😄 Spending time in nature, in the dirt, is so nurturing and rewarding. 💚 Can you get back to gardening? Even a pot of herbs is nice.

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  13. Girlfriend, the spirit just took over you in your beautiful tie-dyed skirt! 🎵💃🏼🎶 Abs all day long! 😉 First of all, how could anyone make veggies sound sexy? You surprise me my friend with your green thumb serenade! 🥦🌽🥕🧅🌶🍅🥔🥒 Yet, on a serious note, I truly have to agree with you about the people working in the fields, sunbaked with calloused hands, who toil for pennies on the dollar. 😥

    Honey child, you have an impeccable way of marrying planting, and your culinary skills with dancing all in one successful swoop! Swoop, there it is!!! LOL 🤣😜😂 By the way that was a sweet melody from Mike Love! 🎧🎼🎤

    Oh, and I have to mention how funny your confused Smartphone is! 📴🤳🏽📳 OMG, they certainly know how to show off when they want to don’t they? I don’t need to tell you to have a FANtabulous weekend, because sugar pie, you are already off to a magnificent start!!! Ciao my dear! 💃🏼🥂💐

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    1. You are such a delight, Kym! Free spirit unleashed in the confines of my gray mat. 😂 Veggies are so sexy! 😀 Yes, the contribution of migrant workers is so under appreciated, underpaid and on and on. A most difficult transient life that is hard on their children too, of course. 🙏

      Thanks so much for saying. Creating this post made me very happy. Sam’s art, veggies, the earth, music, and dance. Happiness overload. 💖 Love Love’s music. 😃

      Stupid phone! Always learning, mostly what a waste of money they are. 😂 Thanks, Ms. Magnificent. My Saturday began in a most wonderful way. 🌞 Sadly, I am headed to a celebration of life-Covid related. 53 yr-old doctor friend. Sad reality that continues. 💔 We will keep celebrating life and making the most of each day, right my dancing delight! 😘

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      1. Oh Michele, I am so very sad to hear about your friend. 😥 COVID-19 has been fierce and ferocious. Lost a few family members and have a few friends who also lost family members due to this horrible virus. 😔

        But we continue to live and carry on to be the best “us” that God put us here to be. I truly appreciate your free-spirited approach to life, because sometimes things can get just a little too serious, and can thrust us into a crazy funk. 😣 No can do. And by the way, I think the dumb Smartphones are for a future blog post! UGH 😠 Somehow, we have to have fun at it’s expense!!! LMBO

        Try to enjoy the rest of your weekend my dear. Hold on to your fond memories of those we have lost, and hold dear to our hearts. In the meantime, keep shaking your rump shaker and don’t let good music go to waste! LOL I know you won’t! 🎶💃🏼✨🎵💃🏽💖🥂 Hugs and smooches girlfriend. 😘☺🤗

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      2. I am sad to read of your family losses, Kym.💔 It sure has been devastating on so many levels. I cannot believe that we are approaching the second of year of dealing with a virus that has affected all of us in one way or another, for some, great loss.

        I am elevated by your fun and inspiring words. 😇 So appreciated at the end of my day. A most sincere thank you dear Kym. 🙏🏻 I feel the love you so generously share. 💗🤗😘 Hope your Sunday is stupendous!

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      3. Hey my girl. 🥰 Yeah, these losses from this virus is so unreal. Sadly there are a few people I know who got the virus, had to be quarantined, almost died, but still refuse to see the point in getting vaccinated. I don’t get it but that’s just me. 😲

        Now, every day I think we try to find some measure of happiness in our goings and comings. 😁 We find more good happening than bad, and girlfriend, that’s a celebration in itself. We may not have everything we want, but we got what we need. Wait, that sounds like a very familiar song, but I can’t think of who it was. Help me out Michele. Was it Mic Jagger maybe? 🤔🤨😊

        Anywho, keep dancing ladybug. Your interpretive dances make me smile and dance too, 💃🏽 although I am not as graceful as you are, but that doesn’t stop me none!!! LOL 🤣😜😂 Hugs and smooches girlfriend! 🤗💖😘

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      4. Yes…
        “You can’t always get what you want
        But if you try sometimes you find
        You get what you need”
        🎶🎵🎶🎵
        I am so happy to read my happy feet bring you smiles. You are all grace! Full of grace, you are! Don’t stop! Another song. 😆 May you wake up to a bright and cheerful day and groove your way into a happy and tappy new week! 💃🏽 💖 🙏🏼

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      5. Oh Michele, now you know I am embracing the warmth of your message and these happy feet are dancing more that those “Happy Feet” penguins! 🐧

        You have the most FANtabulous week and keep a smiling face 😊 with your Ginger Rogers attitude!!! 💃🏼💃🏼💃🏼 Hugs and smooches my dear! 🤗💖🥰😘💐

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  14. Love Sammie’s art. The words, the song, and the dancing were a breath of fresh air. I feel like I have been to a party. What an inspiration you are. I try to eat green — but I only try. This one will stay with me as I feel refreshed and lifted up. Wonderful! s

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  15. What an awesome post, Michele. Moving from LA to AZ was quite the shock in the gardening department, yet, like you, we made do. I love this, “just delicious veggie dishes, made with loving care and served on Fiestaware.” This made me smile deeply. You are so beautiful and graceful. I always love to see you dance. Such an open heart I see, breathing in all that life has to offer. Thank you for sharing yourself with us! 🥰❤️🌹

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    1. I can imagine your shock moving from LA, in a few ways. I am not sure when you lived in AZ, but through the years, with so many CA transplants, the Phoenix area feels more like LA, than it ever has. 🏙 I am happy to read my post served up some smiles. I am truly humbled by your comments. It is a gift to share part of my creative spirit and receive such gracious appreciation in return. Thank you, Jeff. 🙏🏻 Reminds me of the quote, “Don’t die with your music still in you” ~ W. Dyer. 💝

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      1. I LOVE that quote; and, it is absolute truth. I lived in AZ from 2007 through 2012. Lots of transplants including us at that time. Busy in Phoenix, indeed. You’re most welcome, Michele. 🙏 It’s always a gift to read and experience you. Have a beautiful evening, and Sunday! 🥰❤️

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      2. Words to live by! I miss Dr. Dyer.😢 So you moved to AZ at the start of the economic crash. Tough times! There is a city in the south part of Phoenix, called Ahwatukee. You probably are familiar, at least with the name. I remember when that was new and how over time it seemed that it became a microcosm of CA. Whenever I had need to go there I saw more CA license plates than AZ plates. 😂 Thanks again. It is a joy to have a place to share creative callings and to connect with other creatives! A blessing!💖

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      3. Indeed. I’ve read many of his books. All excellent. Yep, right during that time. Yes! I worked on the east side for a time, yet we lived in Surprise. Lots of driving! Always welcome! A blessing indeed! ❤️

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    1. Thank you, Dwight. I had not thought of that. It does! I will share that with her. So true – nothing like a tomato fresh from the vine – one that actually smells like a tomato! 🍅 I appreciate your visit and thoughtful feedback. 🌻

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    1. Thank you so much, Rebecca. I am not sure. I will ask her. 🌳 Organic options are not plentiful here, but they are getting better, minus Covid supply issues. A home garden, even a small one, makes a difference!

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    1. Yes, it says it all without saying enough. 😞 Funny story about the not-so-funny food labels – I was shopping at a market in southern AZ a few years ago and was approached by a news lady and a camera man. What is happening, I thought. She asked for my thoughts about food labels, regarding the “Country of Origin Labeling.” I shared my thoughts and they aired the clip on the local news. Important subject, funny moment. 😆 Absolutely! A few potted plants can be an alternative when space is an issue. Some communities offer plots in community gardens too. Love those! Thank you for sharing your thoughts. 🌞

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    1. Thank you, Jaya. I am happy to read you enjoyed my final thoughts on serving up some veggies. Not exactly farm-to-table, but backyard-to-table. 😆 I love a colorful selection of veggies served on a colorful plate. It’s the simple things. 💝

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  22. Thank you for sharing this beautiful and thoughtful post, Michele! It is such a delight to read and I found resonation. I was a fish vegetarian before and now I don’t even want to eat fish. Nothing forces this process, but things change naturally themselves.

    I loved the idea of having a veggie garden!!

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    1. Thanks to you, Annabel, for reading and sharing. Always a treat for me. 🌻 I agree with you about not forcing the process. My decision to stop buying dairy and meat products early last year felt right and natural, and was an easier transition than I had thought possible. A surprising benefit was not having a trace of seasonal allergies. Still don’t. Amazing! I love growing things – anytime spent with nature is nurturing. 🌞 Sending you hugs and love and a healthy and happy week. 💐

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      1. How beautiful you put it that way, dear Michele! That reminds me a quote from Jiddu Krishnamurti ‘ when one loses the deep intimate relationship with nature, then temple and churches become important.’😂🥳

        Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!🏡🎁🥳

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  23. First few lines of your poem read like living poetry and then it felt like reading about our food be like chemical prose – just a felt sense difference in when we stay as close to source and veer as far away. You returned to beautiful poetry with the memory of your daughter in your arms and gardening, ladybugs and such. I have never had a garden – I simply bless the ones like you did – who took so much effort to bring me food, mostly strive to stick to farmer’s market organic bounty of vegetables and weekly chores of cleaning and chopping. Feels like a sacred gift of life to be nourished.

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    1. Love the phrase, “living poetry” – that sounds like a life well-lived. 😄 Yes, staying close to the source is desirable and preferred, whenever possible. I appreciate being able to go to the market – my mind and eyes are blown away when I visit places that have huge assortments of fresh produce. I experienced that in Canada a few years ago. Wow! Rows and rows of fresh veggies, larger and more colorful than anything I see in AZ. Such is life in the dry desert. I love farmer’s markets too. There are a few around the valley – not in the summer of course! I love your closing thought. Beautiful. 🧘🏼‍♀️ Thank you for the visit. Enjoy your week and if you celebrate turkey day, I hope it is a fun and relaxing time with your family. 💝

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      1. It gives me a happy smile to read about your eyes blown away at huge assortments of fresh produce – appreciating the true treasures of our planet :))) I lived in AZ for some years and now see the difference in CA. My pleasure to read from you always, wishing you amazing times of this week too!

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  25. Love the song lyrics…and I agree, there is something magical about picking (and eating) herbs fresh from the garden. I often rub the leaves between my fingertips (right now, it’s just rosemary, but I had plenty of basil last summer) to smell those fragrant and rejuvenating essential oils. Such a grounding experience. Beautiful post, dancing and artwork included! 😊

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  28. Pingback: Living Green and Dancing with Love – Gobblers / Masticadores // Editores: Manuela Timofte / j re crivello

  31. Pingback: Sharing more Love (poem & video) – My Inspired Life

      1. Absolutely, and I continue to admire the creative synergy between you two – undoubtedly, one of the most talented Mother-Daughter teams! 💐✨

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