The Sweet Tapestry of Summer

by Marlaina Donato

July is a heady mix of peak temperatures, sustenance from the soil and inspired invitations to make lasting memories. For gardeners, it is a lilting time of fruition in between rounds of hard work when one’s efforts can be harvested, eaten and appreciated. Summer’s apex brings wildflower tapestries woven with cricket-song and evenings punctuated by rolling thunderstorms, but it also can be a time for us to take a deep dive into the miracle of interconnectedness.

Visiting the local farmers market is an opportunity to be mindful of all that goes into our shopping bags and bellies: rain, sunlight, nitrogen-rich snowmelt and the vital fertility of topsoil. We can see everyday people in a different light, especially Earth-conscious farmers who choose to be birthing partners of the land.

Taking a walk outside can remind us that no life would be possible without the near-magical, unseen mycelium network beneath our footsteps. Summer’s delicate balance of elements ensures abundance, and we have a sacred opportunity to be part of that equilibrium. Each of us is a link in the chain of humans co-creating within the symbiosis of all other living things. Will we take away from this balance or add to it?

Adding to it does not require hours of time or money, but the motivation to make simple decisions for the greater good, such as leaving part of the lawn to grow for the winged ones or choosing an eco-friendly refillable water bottle over single-use plastic. Showing a child how to keep a nature journal can foster lifelong connections with the Earth.

We do our part when we joyfully become part of the landscape—witnessing, observing and allowing nature to go about her business. Making time for languid appreciation contributes to self-nourishment, something that is also vital to the whole. How many avian voices can you hear at sunset? How many colors can you find in a changing mural of clouds? The season of plenty offers a harvest of beauty.

Marlaina Donato is an author, visionary painter and composer. Connect at WildflowerLady.com.

Calendar Of Events

The events described in this section were scheduled to take place at the time we went to press. Please check ahead to confirm their status.

SUNDAY, JULY 2

Reiki Healing Circle – 5-6pm. Join our amazing facilitators for a reiki healing circle every 3rd Sun. Experience an atmosphere of healing while using reiki energy to remove blockages by balancing the many chakra energy channels. $10. Goddess I AM 600 Goodlette Rd N, Naples. 239-228-6949. GoddessIAM. com. See ad on page 41 and news brief on page 9.

SUNDAY, JULY 9

Light Code Activations – 9-10:30am. Join an hour-plu of channeled energy, activations and messages. These activations can be short cuts to ease and grace, healing and prosperity. $22. Goddess I AM 600 Goodlette Rd N, Naples. 239-228-6949. GoddessIAM.com.

MONDAY, JULY 10

AOHMassage Foundation 1: Subtle Body – 9am5pm. This workshop will be presented monthly this summer as well as at the FSMTA Convention June 27. 7 CEs MTs FL and NCBTMB. $100. Art of Holistic Massage, 3323 Olympic Dr, Ste 721, Naples. 732-266-5276. AOHMassage.com.

TUESDAY, JULY 11

AOHMassage Foundation 2: Touch – 9am-5pm. Part 2 of the hands-on foundational information that precedes learning the AOHMassage 1 and 2 Protocol. 2 CEs. $150. Art of Holistic Massage, 3323 Olympic Dr, Ste 721, Naples. 732-266-5276. AOHMassage.com.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 12

Reflexology – 9am-3pm. This is an experiential workshop that can be considered an introductory class to reflexology. Learn simple and effective techniques for keeping the body in balance. $100. Art of Holistic Massage, 3323 Olympic Dr, Ste 721, Naples. 732-266-5276. AOHMassage.com. Herbs for Inflammation – 3-4pm. Discussion of specific herbs to help combat inflammation. Includes a handout. Recipes of herbs and spices that help with inflammation. Healthy tea provided. $15. Goddess I AM 600 Goodlette Rd N, Naples. 239-228-6949. GoddessIAM.com.

THURSDAY, JULY 13

AOHMassage Protocol – 9am-4pm. Prerequisite to this class: AOHMassage Foundation 1, 2, 3 and/ or Overview. 2nd day available. AOHMassage 1 and 2. $175. Art of Holistic Massage, 3323 Olympic Dr, Ste 721, Naples. 732-266-5276. AOHMassage.com.

FRIDAY, JULY 14

Psychic Fair – 5-8pm. Mini-readings with experienced psychics and healers. Services include mediumship, tarot, reiki, angel, past-life, chakra balancing, intuitive, body scanning, oracle and more. $30/20 mins. Goddess I AM 600 Goodlette Rd N, Naples. 239-228-6949. GoddessIAM.com.

SATURDAY, JULY 15

Psychic Fair – 11am-4pm. Mini-readings with experienced psychics and healers. Services include mediumship, tarot, reiki, angel, pastlife, chakra balancing, intuitive, body scanning, oracle and more. $30/20 min. Goddess I AM 600 Goodlette Rd N, Naples. 239-228-6949. GoddessIAM.com.

Great Bones Book Club & Food Sampling – 1:303pm. Looking for answers to help with osteopenia or osteoporosis? Great Bones, by Dr. Keith McCormick, 2023, will be our guide to understanding bone-loss issues, how to utilize updated testing methods to help your doctor target appropriate treatments and discover how lifestyle changes help preserve and regrow bones. In-person and Zoom. $10. Lotus Blossom Clinic, 6710 Winkler Rd, Ste 2, Ft Myers. Register: 303-929-4972. LotusBlossomClinic.com. See ad on page 45.

SUNDAY, JULY 16

Reiki Healing Circle – 5-6pm. See July 2 listing. Goddess I AM 600 Goodlette Rd N, Naples. 239228-6949. GoddessIAM.com.

Sound Bath with Harmonic Alignment – 4:456pm. With Natalie Batty. Relax and recharge yourself through the healing vibrations of 7 crystal singing bowls, Native American flute, drumming, Koshi chimes, singing, toning and more. $35. Love Yoga Center, 4949 Tamiami Tr N, Ste 204, Naples. 239-692-9747. LoveYogaCenter.com. See ad on page 15.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 26

Kids’ Sparkle Spa Day – 5-6pm. Activities include healthy snacks, sanitation discussion, ageappropriate skin cleansing, theme park meditation, stretch yoga, organic foot soak, unicorn organic sugar scrub, lavender calming play dough, cucumber relaxation and a surprise gift bag. $49/ages 5-12. Limited to 10 children. Purely You Spa 2, 7935 Airport Rd, 2nd Fl, Naples. RSVP by July 24: 239-331-8266. PurelyYouSpa.com.

Plan Ahead

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2

Health, Wealth, Wellness, Beauty & Job Fair – 2-6pm. For people seeking an exciting career in health, wealth, wellness and beauty, and businesses looking to promote their products and employment opportunities. $25. Purely You Spa, 3066 Tamiami Tr N, Ste 302, Naples. PurelyYouSpa.com. See Event Spotlight on page 14 and ad on page 2.

ongoing events EDUCATE.

daily sunday monday tuesday wednesday thursday friday saturday

$75 New Student Special – One month of unlimited classes. Love Yoga Center, 4949 Tamiami Tr N, Ste 204, Naples. 239-692-9747. LoveYogaCenter.com.

Electromagnetic Frequency Assessments – Renee Walsh, owner of Alchemy of Love and Truth Healing Arts, in Naples, is providing electromagnetic frequency (EMF) home assessments with corresponding mitigation strategies at residences throughout our area. For more info, arrange for a free, 15-min consultation or to schedule: 239-250-5115 or AlchemyOfLoveAndTruth.com. See ad on page xx.

Sunset/Bird Rookery Kayak To ur – 5:308:30pm. GAEA Guides on the Caloosahatchee River. See thousands of birds coming in to roost for the night and a great view of the sunset. $60 includes all equipment and Naturalist Guide. Other tours available, too. Ft Myers. 239-694-5513. GAEAGuides.com.

Yin Yoga – 6:30-7:45pm. In-studio with Tara. Love Yoga Center, 4949 Tamiami Tr N, Ste 204, Naples. 239-692-9747. LoveYogaCenter.com.

Healthy Happy Hour – 2-5pm. Also held Wed and Fri. Specially priced IV nutrient/rehydration therapy and vitamin injections from the IV nutrient experts. Root Causes Holistic Health & Medicine, 12734 Kenwood Ln, Ste 56, Ft Myers. 239-4252900. rtcausesmd.com/iv-therapy.html. See ad on page xx, and news brief on page xx.

Ashtanga Mysore Open Studio – 6-8:30am. MonFri, except moon days. New time for the summer. Love Yoga Center, 4949 Tamiami Tr N, Ste 204, Naples. 239-692-9747. LoveYogaCenter.com.

Intro to Ashtanga – 5:45-6:30pm. Love Yoga Center, 4949 Tamiami Tr N, Ste 204, Naples. 239-692-9747. LoveYogaCenter.com.

Kayak Tour: Royal Palm Park Caloosahatchee River and Creeks – 10am-1pm. Also held Sat. Many birds nest on the island we will go near. We also go up some wild creeks in the Caloosahatchee Creeks Preserve. $60. Ft Myers. RSVP: 239-6945513 or GAEAGuides.com.

Estuary Kayak Tour in Estero Bay – 10am-1pm. Also held Sat. Birds, dolphins, manatees and more. Paddle on the beautiful waters of the Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve and the inside waters of Lovers’ Key State Park. GAEA Guides. $60. Bonita Beach. 239. 694-5513. GAEAGuides.com.

Kundalini – 11am. In-studio with DamaDé. Love Yoga Center, 4949 Tamiami Tr N, Ste 204, Naples. 239-692-9747. LoveYogaCenter.com.

Meditative Yoga & Yoga Nidra – 3:30pm.

In-studio with Peggy. Love Yoga Center, 4949 Tamiami Tr N, Ste 204, Naples. 239-692-9747. LoveYogaCenter.com.

Qigong – 11am. In-studio with Sue. Love Yoga Center, 4949 Tamiami Tr N, Ste 204, Naples. 239692-9747. LoveYogaCenter.com.

Sangha Midweek Meditation – 6-7pm. Relax and calm the mind and body, and practice meditation and deep listening together with us. Free. Zoom. 941888-0116. Register: CaloosahatcheeMindfulness.org.

A Search for God Edgar Cayce Study Group – 6-8pm. Weekly study group meeting based on the Edgar Cayce readings. New members welcome. Free. Unity of Fort Myers Sanctuary, 11120 Ranchette Rd, Ft Myers. 850-556-7604. JaneSelman@gmail.com. UnityOfFortMyers.org.

Kundalini Class – 11am. In-studio with Logan Jones. Love Yoga Center, 4949 Tamiami Tr N, Ste 204, Naples. 239-692-9747. LoveYogaCenter.com.

Crystal Bowls Sound Bath Meditation – 6:457:45pm. Participants lie down or sit while the frequencies reverberate through the body, bringing it back into a state of harmonic resonance, promoting deep relaxation and healing on all levels. $15. Lotus Blossom Clinic, 6710 Winkler Rd, Ste 2, Ft Myers. Register, Stephanie Niles: ananyaj1025@ gmail.com. LotusBlossomClinic.com.

Candlelight Flow – 7-8:15pm. In-studio and virtual with Tara. Love Yoga Center, 4949 Tamiami Tr N, Ste 204, Naples. 239-692-9747. LoveYogaCenter.com.

Love Basics – 9:30am. In-studio and virtual with Nancy. Love Yoga Center, 4949 Tamiami Tr N, Ste 204, Naples. 239-692-9747. LoveYogaCenter.com.

Sound Healing – 1-4pm. With Alyssa. nuYou Naples, 3415 Radio Rd, Ste 101, Naples. 239285-0094. nuYouNaples.com.

Live Music – 6-9pm. Rotating list of local artists entertain guests in the courtyard. Free. Food & Thought, 2132 Tamiami Tr N, Naples. 239-2132222. FoodAndThought.com.

Holistic Harmony Discounted Herbal Consultations – Thru July. 9am-1pm, by appt. Discounted herbal consultations. For $105 receive a thorough herbal assessment and 2 follow-ups (70% discount). Cost of herbs not included. Counseling of Southwest Florida, 2345 Stanford Ct, Ste 601, Naples. 239-688-4585. HolisticHarmonyllc.com.

Love Flow – 10-11:15am. In-studio with Tara. Love Yoga Center, 4949 Tamiami Tr N, Ste 204, Naples. 239-692-9747. LoveYogaCenter.com.

Live Music – 6-9pm. Rotating list of local artists entertain guests in the courtyard. Free. Food & Thought, 2132 Tamiami Tr N, Naples. 239-2132222. FoodAndThought.com.