“In the stillness of trees, I am at home.”
Wendell Berry
Snow begs to be preserved in black and white. Sometimes I wonder why I feel compelled to rob a perfectly fine picture of its color but there’s peace and serenity to be found in these images from home.
These small trees in my back yard remind me some of Charlie Brown’s Christmas tree. Perhaps this is why I like them so. They’re underdogs.
And the giant in my front yard that I often photograph in snow, rain, sunshine, sunrise and dusk. It seems even more imposing here than it does in any other photo in my collection.
When it snows I frequent the same spots around my yard but am often amazed at how appearances change in different light, with different snow.
Black and white transforms these scenes into something completely different. This snow from Christmas is long gone but I look forward to the next snow and the opportunities afforded to my camera.
This is from last Saturday’s adventure through Ross and Highland counties. The flag is fabulous but so is the tree’s shadow.
This week has been a bumpy one, stressful even, as our country has lived under a shadow of uncertainty. Our modern world has made us more impatient than ever and has shortened our memory too. Many years we haven’t known the outcome on election night. Although I’m not sure how long it has been since we were left hanging in the balance for this many days.
I’m guessing the Pony Express was involved.
I have a lot of thoughts on this topic – not on the subject of politics so much as observances on human behavior.
My own Facebook feed is full of people who do not understand that election laws differ by state or that counting every legal vote is, indeed, the patriotic thing to do. The Electoral College also seems a mystery to some and the conspiracy theories are running rampant.
It’s an indictment of the average American’s grasp of their own government.
I’m hopeful for many things this morning.
I’m hopeful that we’ll have an answer today and that we can begin to move forward and prepare for the next four years. I’m hopeful that we can begin to heal from the trauma of late.
And honestly, I’m hopeful that a few of those swing states that have held us up will learn a thing or two from their neighbors and be better prepared in four years.
Meanwhile, we are expecting a beautiful seventy degree fall day here in Ohio. Despite the problems our nation faces, the sun will rise and set again today. The days aren’t as long as we would like so let’s make the best of the sunshine we have available.
Take a deep breath, relax those shoulders, turn off the news and go find something else to do. This could be one of the last beautiful fair weather days of the season and you don’t want to waste it.
The human world is in chaos as Covid 19 continues reaching into areas of life that most of us never dreamed would be so heavily impacted. You never know what new challenge lurks around the next corner. At least that’s how it feels.
Maybe that’s why I’m so drawn to nature. The natural world isn’t familiar with Covid and doesn’t care that this virus is inconveniencing you and me.
In fact, Nature continues to operate as she always has. The sun continues to rise and set at the appointed times every day. The beautiful water lilies at my local state park are still blooming.
Clouds drift by on a hot summer day because that’s what clouds do. Their reflection in the lake reminds me of glass.
And dragonflies still flit across the water, enticing hikers to stop and stare.
Mushrooms continue to grow in unusual shapes and colors despite the presence of a nasty little virus in our world.
Trees still provide shade and shelter for birds and other small creatures.
Some even are starting to remind us that there is rhythm and reason to the seasons. Nature will soon work her magic and transform our landscape into a wonderland of red, gold, brown and orange leaves. They will rain down upon us, giving new life to the forest floor.
If we listen, we will learn that the natural world is exactly as it should be despite the challenges that come with priorities humans have imposed on themselves.
Go for a walk if you can. Better yet, submerge yourself in the forest and breathe deeply. Allow Nature to show you what’s good about the world and maybe the rest of what you are living with right now won’t seem so bad.
My neighbor very kindly has invited my family to walk her property all we like.
There’s forest and field filled with birds, squirrels, deer and other critters as well as remnants of a simpler time. It’s peaceful and pretty and a real treat to enjoy.
Thanks Dot! We appreciate you!
It’s the first day of the rest of your life. How will you spend it?