Nature

[CathyA]

Nature is where it's at, for sure! I would fade away and die without it giving me constant pleasure and comfort. I live out in the country. I just wouldn't make it in town.
This past week I've seen all different kinds of birds, heard owls, saw all sorts of animal tracts in the snow, had bluebirds at my heated birdbath heater, and for the first time saw 2
coyotes in the yard. Yes, winter can be a depressing time, in spite of all it has to offer, but these little animal treasures (and incredible sunrises and sunsets through the trees), keep me going.

I hope everyone gets the pleasure and peace that can be gotten, if you just let Mother Nature in.

[jp1]

Most of my hiking doesn't include redwoods, but there are plenty of pretty things out there that aren't redwoods. Tomorrow I'm going back to do a different trail in the park where I took the first photo below. The reviews of the trail on alltrails.com say that it is worth the 50 mile round-trip drive for me.

hike 1.jpg
hike2.jpg
hike3.jpg

[Teacher Terry]

We love being out in nature. I also love to sit in my backyard. We take the dogs walking in great parks and by the river. We have been to many national Parks which has been awesome.

[razz]

Lovely photos, jpl.

[KayLR]

That's what the outdoors does for me too, jp. Anytime. Any season. The last several years I've even been embracing being out in winter. Something about the clear, blue, cold skies and bright snow just lifted me.

[rosarugosa]

Kay: Bonus points for not letting cold weather keep you indoors!

[Geila]

Hiking is the best! Having access to so many beautiful options here in the Bay Area tempers the high cost of living. One of my greatest joys is taking children hiking, especially in woodsy and hilly parks. They scamper happily along like little goats, loving every minute of it and magnifying the pleasure of the hike by sharing the experience with them.

[Simplemind]

Today was a glorious dry sunny day. First mow of the season and now I can see all the daffodils on the perimeter much easier. The dogs got to play Frisbee and swim in the creek. There were so many wild onions that when they are mowed it smells like fresh chopped onion and I start craving a burger or hot dog. I was covered in grass and it is supremely satisfying. If it wasn't so cool and early in the day I would be sitting on an Adirondack chair with a beer. Bliss I'm telling ya!!

[KayLR]

The Peace of Wild Things
Wendell Berry


When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children's lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.

[catherine]

The Peace of Wild Things
Wendell Berry


When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children's lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.

One of my favorite poems.