Call of the Cattail

10/05/2025

Updated, edited, and added to the blog! ✨

It’s still dark outside and my alarm hasn’t gone off. I’m on-call to recover a surgery this morning and a sense of relief washes over me knowing I didn’t sleep through my alarm or any phone calls. My relief quickly morphs back into worry when I remember five chickens refused to go to the coo...

09/27/2025

Unpolished blurb but wanted to post before I go to work. ✨

It’s still dark outside and my alarm hasn’t gone off. I’m on-call to recover a surgery this morning and a sense of relief washes over me knowing I didn’t sleep through my alarm or any phone calls. My relief quickly morphs back into worry when I realize five chickens who refused to go to the coop at bedtime last night are still sleeping in a tree (hopefully).

As I make my way outside to check on them the expansive darkness and quiet stir a sense of fear and uncertainty in me. I’m still not use to it being this black, this still, this wild. Fireflies glitter in the grass like sparse pieces of shiny confetti leftover after a party, despite your best attempts to cleanup. I shine my bright flashlight high into the tree and feel grateful to find five chickens sleeping soundly. Something plops in the grass and I thank myself for not standing directly beneath them.

As I turn to head back to the house I notice a gleaming orange in the sky, Venus. And she’s surrounded by a canopy of many, many twinkling stars. I watch the sky in awe, feeling gratitude for this morning while stars silently fall and then disappear. I no longer feel annoyed that I have to go to work on my day off but grateful I was awakened so early to appreciate this view and the awe-inspiring nature that constantly surrounds us but is often overlooked.

As I clomp back toward the house in my muck boots I’m comforted by the low, soft hooting of an owl hiding in the trees across the street. Back inside I wrap a blanket around myself and sip the hot coffee my husband has made. What a morning to be alive.

09/27/2025

Postcards with original photographs from right here in Rolla! Message reads, “Greetings from Rolla, MO ‘The middle of everywhere.’” Send a postcard to a loved one and let them know you’re thinking of them! $4 per postcard. 💌

09/06/2025

My elderberry tincture will be ready just in time for cold & flu season! 💜

The elderberries were hand-picked (by me) from native, wild elderberry trees on my property. Small batches prepared carefully with love.

Benefits of elderberry include;

- rich in antioxidants
- anti-inflammatory
- supports lung health
- shortens duration of cold & flu symptoms

Comment 💜💜💜 to reserve your bottle now! 1 oz bottle (not jar pictured) for $13.00 + shipping. First come, first serve.

Ingredients: elderberry, alcohol

09/06/2025

Missouri mornings 💛

08/23/2025

~Parish at the Pond~

Dragonflies whirl through the air like the thoughts in my head

Frogs congregate in the shallow of the pond and stare at me, intently hanging on every word of the affirmations I say aloud

Gentle gusts of wind carry away the things that no longer serve me

Butterflies slowly flutter their wings, as if encouraging me to continue on this inner journey

Dead cattail reeds that have already served their purpose peek out from the edge of the pond, just like my old stories, shame, and anger that helped shape me but are no longer alive

Warm tears well in my eyes, as I’m overcome with gratitude for this gathering of acolytes that have encircled me with their tiny spirits on this quiet, summer day

🐸🦋🍃

Visit https://shannonmiley2.wixsite.com/callofthecattail to read more stories!

08/14/2025

A short poem from the archives:

Last night a little tick slept in my bed
Into my doggy’s skin it buried its head
It was so hungry it fed and fed and fed
Now that little tick is dead

08/07/2025

Japanese beetle

08/03/2025

Leaves and dead branches crunch under my sneakers as I make my way through the forest in the back corner of our property. Having only explored the forest once before, I make mental notes of dried-up creek beds, unique trees, and eagerly keep an eye out for animals as I try to better understand this part of our land. I quickly learn it will be difficult to take in my surroundings after encountering massive spider webs every few feet I walk. At first, I change course, taking a different path so as not to disturb the spiders and the labyrinth of webs they worked so hard to build. But no matter where I turn, glistening webs suddenly appear in front of me and silky threads cling to my face. Now realizing I cannot enjoy a leisurely, observant stroll through the trees without destroying some webs I pick up a long stick. As I walk, I swing it up and down outstretched in front of me, as if I was waving a magic wand and casting spells. All while apologizing to each spider whose web collapses and now silently sways in the soft breeze.

Finally, I trek down the path of my choosing and make my way to a large burrow in the ground. I haphazardly and forcefully tap on the opening of the dark hole with my spider stick, hoping to catch a glimpse of a fox, an armadillo, or maybe even a badger. My eyes are glued to the darkness when suddenly I hear a rustle.

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Leaves and dead branches crunch under my sneakers as I make my way through the forest in the back corner of our property. Having only explored the forest once before, I make mental notes of dried-up creek beds, unique trees, and eagerly keep an eye out for animals as I try to better understand this....