Spring is here, at Adytum ~ The Sanctuary

Spring is here, at Adytum ~ The Sanctuary, arriving officially in a few days with the calendar. The first hummingbirds have appeared expectantly at the window braving snow and the fiercest windstorms of fall and winter combined. Thank God, the feeders were ready for them. What would they have done were they not?
So much of life here is about anticipation, preparation. They say, “you get what you prepare for”. We’ve prepared for Life; savoring slow, deliberate, conscious Living, and the pleasure of living with and caring for as many wild creatures as we can. Somehow this winter, a female pheasant with a blue band has found our wildlife sanctuary. Her mate did not survive the season. I saw him once, making his way to our feeder in deep snow. So now, she comes shyly, cautiously and alone. We treasure her presence and consider it such a honor that she has turned to us for help in her loss. The hill is full of raccoons, coyotes, porcupines, possums and, more sparsely- black bear. She has a tough job staying alive alone.
We nailed up the plaque from the National Wildlife Federation certifying the 15 ¾ acres of Adytum lands as a natural wildlife habitat. All through the deepest, darkest, longest winter we’ve experienced here with snow right up to springtime, we have fed, nurtured and cared for the needs of all those that share this blessed hill with us. We’ve enjoyed a lot friends and family as well, who have in turn, enjoyed our wildlife “family” as well as the enchanting rooms and spa facilities we’ve created for their pleasure inside.
Outside there is always a spot of color flashing by in the Evening Grosbeaks bright yellow and black coat, or the smaller slice of yellow in the Pine Siskin’s wing as they hang upside down at the feeder eating thistle. Bright red plumage of the Cassin’s Finches dot the bare stump that we turned into a wide, natural feeding platform where we keep Black Oil Sunflower seed and cracked corn. Yes, the squirrels and chipmunks get their share, but isn’t that what caring for our friends is all about?
In the early morning, when I open the supposedly tight seal of the feeding bin, 4 pair of saucer round dark eyes peer up with complete trust….mice brothers. I give them a ride out on the feeding scoop. They have come to expect the routine. I no longer jump at the shock of seeing something besides sunflower seed in the bin. Adytum has come to mean Life as much as she signifies Sanctuary to so many of us here: the resident flock of Mourning Doves, Sparrows, Robins who breed here by the score, Black Capped Chickadees, naughty Blue Jays, Thrushes, Hawks, Eagles, Ravens, Towhees, and on and on. I can’t even name them all, hundreds of birds every day feeding here, playing in the water features, singing their hearts out filling our forest land with joyful melody. Piercing the cold of winter with the warmth of their love and gratitude.
A new life is nearly ready to emerge now, after so many years of preparation….Adytum ~ The Sanctuary Bed and Breakfast at Mossyrock: A Boutique Spa. Fitting that the last stages of gestation should occur in the spring, as though nature herself were trying to participate in the midwife process. Suddenly, after years of delays, funding that wasn’t making itself known or seen- all that is behind us. People come to help. Money flows in from multiple sources. Contractors are finally ready and willing to complete the Koi Pond, waterfalls, and hard -scaping. But most of all- we are ready, willing and very excited to move into the next phase of our evolution as Innkeepers while we continue to treat patients at Medical Vision Center during the week. We so long to share the healing retreat of Adytum ~ The Sanctuary Bed and Breakfast at Mossyrock: A Boutique Spa with those that are drawn here.
We have created romantic, nurturing and inspiring spaces for lovers, for artists and writers who want to work in the peace of the Sanctuary; we’ve fashioned detoxification and relaxation settings for those that want to cleanse their body or just restore their body, spirit and mind. We’ve established the “Bird and Breakfast” for three years, even before the house went up so that a family and community would be here ready to welcome us and the fellow birders who will come to enjoy the variety and immensity of the flocks here. We know that many will rediscover the night sky where stars blaze overhead unimpeded by light pollution.
We know from experience, all who come here are very reluctant to leave… We’ve learned how to make healthy, visually stimulating, mouth watering breakfasts that are far different from the usual B&B fare; and to nourish them at a deeper level and reconnect them with the delights of the Earth and soil. We’ve explored far and wide so we can share the best hikes, bikes, fishing and kayak trips with our guests.
The impending birth fills our thoughts and propels our actions. We are intensely focused on this one thing: the sharing of this great Sacred Space very soon now. A place of incredible beauty, mystery and fantasy is anxious to reveal Herself to those that need her the most- those who crave her calm peace, enchanted rustic luxury and the creative stimulus that fills this house of light- all 56 windows channeling in the very energy of the cosmos to make Adytum dance with abundance, love and joy.