"Walk away quietly in any direction and
taste the freedom of the mountaineer. Camp out among the grasses and gentians
of glacial meadows, in craggy garden nooks full of nature's darlings. Climb the
mountains and get their good tidings, Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine
flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you and the storms
their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves. As age comes on,
one source of enjoyment after another is closed, but nature's sources never fail."
http://vault.sierraclub.org/john_muir_exhibit/writings/favorite_quotations.aspx
I knew previously that John Muir was a Naturalist, that the Sierra Club was affiliated with him. But only recently, after watching a public television series on our National Parks, did I begin to learn to what amazing extent Mr. Muir related to Nature - ALL of Nature.
If any readers here wish to add their thoughts or interests in John Muir, please DO leave your comments.
https://youtu.be/-ZonmQZG0GQ
As always..NATURE PREVAILS.
Wednesday, April 27, 2016
Friday, June 5, 2015
HIGH TRAILS of COURAGE: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SON
Sometimes in life, it is necessary to test our limits…sometimes vital, in order to understand exactly who we are in this strange and awesome journey we each take on planet Earth.
Sometimes this re-definition comes for ordinary reasons, or maybe after bumps in our journey that threaten our abilities. Or maybe to regain the recognition of who we STILL are, STILL want to be...CAN be; to re-establish our spiritual footprint; to understand the difference between our yesterday-footprint and our tomorrow one. Or to mark a turn in our road, a new direction in our journey.
Sometimes pushing our limits gives us the freedom to stretch that skin in which we are physically confined, towards the direction we perceive to be our own spiritual being, our existentially unique shadow of light on this plane.
That said, I dedicate this post, this Birthday wish, to my Son Tony; to his courage, his bravery, his unique existential shadow I am blessed to have helped present to this plane… 41 years ago.
Tony began his Love of the bicycle as a youngster with a Centurion road bike. He wanted a mountain bike, Mom wasn’t listening. In my defense – he’s had a ‘few’ of them since then. And that oh-so-long-ago present still hangs in our barn, is still a mark in time – a tribute to his youth, the Love I hold for him.
Along that road, Tony has traveled many different bicycle-journeys, some exciting, some painful, some breath-taking, some relaxing. And some proudly-earned ones that more than tested his physical and athletic abilities. He has bought many different types of bicycles, most of which were high-end models for which he sacrificed MANY of normal life amenities in order to afford; such is his love-affair with the bicycle.
And then, there was the event that almost took his ‘bicycle’ away. It is that event, that 2-year path he traversed and suffered through, to which I dedicate this Birthday Wish. To HIS courage; HIS determination; HIS perseverance to be the person he WANTED to be – NEEDED to be – was DETERMINED beyond all else…to be - and was! He achieved that, and so much more, attested to by this birthday that is filled with HIS normal energy level and challenges. The life he enjoys today might have NEVER BEEN, had he not met his life-challenging event with not only the efforts NORMALLY expected of him, but with much more drive and perseverance and bravery that IS the Tony I know, and respect and Love. He fought back as only Tony can. And he won!
This IS to the Tony I know, I Love, to whom I dedicate this 41st Birthday wish. A wish that states my pride, my forever Love for him. A wish inspired by the video below. Though my Tony is not the rider on that ridge in the video, while watching it, I saw my Son’s spirit…and smiled.
It is a testimony to his particular, unique version of bravery in the face of all the adversities in his life - but particularly the one that almost took his life a few years ago. It is a testament to the unique form of Tony-bravery and determination that brought him to his TODAY, his 41st year, in the physical, emotional and spiritual plane he enjoys TODAY! He not only rebounded, but has excelled - past what he was. That life-event did not stop him; maybe slowed him down enough to allow him time to re-challenge himself; re-boot as it were. As his MOM, I cringed and wiggled as I watched him get back on his bike, get back into situations that - as a MOM (it's my job to worry!) I thought less of, wanted him to go away from, choose something LESS dangerous than... NOW, I recognize HIS unique need to 'get back on his horse' - as HE needed to do; and I see HIS results. And I hope that he continues to challenge his realities, his person-ness...in his own unique Tony-way, not mine.
It is a dedication to his awesome and Loving spirit that I hold in my heart…for eternity.
Happy Birthday Son.
With all my heart,
Mom
As always, NATURE prevails...especially 41 years ago.
Sometimes this re-definition comes for ordinary reasons, or maybe after bumps in our journey that threaten our abilities. Or maybe to regain the recognition of who we STILL are, STILL want to be...CAN be; to re-establish our spiritual footprint; to understand the difference between our yesterday-footprint and our tomorrow one. Or to mark a turn in our road, a new direction in our journey.
Sometimes pushing our limits gives us the freedom to stretch that skin in which we are physically confined, towards the direction we perceive to be our own spiritual being, our existentially unique shadow of light on this plane.
That said, I dedicate this post, this Birthday wish, to my Son Tony; to his courage, his bravery, his unique existential shadow I am blessed to have helped present to this plane… 41 years ago.
Tony began his Love of the bicycle as a youngster with a Centurion road bike. He wanted a mountain bike, Mom wasn’t listening. In my defense – he’s had a ‘few’ of them since then. And that oh-so-long-ago present still hangs in our barn, is still a mark in time – a tribute to his youth, the Love I hold for him.
Along that road, Tony has traveled many different bicycle-journeys, some exciting, some painful, some breath-taking, some relaxing. And some proudly-earned ones that more than tested his physical and athletic abilities. He has bought many different types of bicycles, most of which were high-end models for which he sacrificed MANY of normal life amenities in order to afford; such is his love-affair with the bicycle.
And then, there was the event that almost took his ‘bicycle’ away. It is that event, that 2-year path he traversed and suffered through, to which I dedicate this Birthday Wish. To HIS courage; HIS determination; HIS perseverance to be the person he WANTED to be – NEEDED to be – was DETERMINED beyond all else…to be - and was! He achieved that, and so much more, attested to by this birthday that is filled with HIS normal energy level and challenges. The life he enjoys today might have NEVER BEEN, had he not met his life-challenging event with not only the efforts NORMALLY expected of him, but with much more drive and perseverance and bravery that IS the Tony I know, and respect and Love. He fought back as only Tony can. And he won!
This IS to the Tony I know, I Love, to whom I dedicate this 41st Birthday wish. A wish that states my pride, my forever Love for him. A wish inspired by the video below. Though my Tony is not the rider on that ridge in the video, while watching it, I saw my Son’s spirit…and smiled.
It is a testimony to his particular, unique version of bravery in the face of all the adversities in his life - but particularly the one that almost took his life a few years ago. It is a testament to the unique form of Tony-bravery and determination that brought him to his TODAY, his 41st year, in the physical, emotional and spiritual plane he enjoys TODAY! He not only rebounded, but has excelled - past what he was. That life-event did not stop him; maybe slowed him down enough to allow him time to re-challenge himself; re-boot as it were. As his MOM, I cringed and wiggled as I watched him get back on his bike, get back into situations that - as a MOM (it's my job to worry!) I thought less of, wanted him to go away from, choose something LESS dangerous than... NOW, I recognize HIS unique need to 'get back on his horse' - as HE needed to do; and I see HIS results. And I hope that he continues to challenge his realities, his person-ness...in his own unique Tony-way, not mine.
It is a dedication to his awesome and Loving spirit that I hold in my heart…for eternity.
Happy Birthday Son.
With all my heart,
Mom
As always, NATURE prevails...especially 41 years ago.
Thursday, May 21, 2015
TRAILS of OLD: Baby in the BATH
Yes, I am getting old-ER, vintage, senior, aged, elderly, mature,
decrepit (no, let’s NOT use that one!), the list goes on. But what does that really mean? Doubt I can cram that into a post, but
here goes an old college try. Wonder
who remembers that cliché?! Per usual, I digress – most likely a dis-ease
part and parcel of all those cute little terms aforementioned...
There's a cliche that comes to my mind of late; Don't throw out the Baby and the Bathwater". Though my writing teacher might entertain immediate
eye-twitching at the hint of the word cliché, they can sometimes gather-in a melange
of ideas that give their own, unique idea, thus expressing more depth and power
to a thought with less verbiage. (Now THERE is a class I need to take). They can then, actually present a more
succinct expression of an idea, though this may seemingly appear to be a contradiction
in terms. Or not. Now, for the old college try…
www.merriam-webster.com/ defines vintage as; “A period
in which something was made or was begun.”
Okay; I am then – vintage, but so is everyone, correct?
www.dictionary.reference.com / defines mature as; “Fully developed in body
or mind, as
a person.” Well, again, a definition generally
applicable to most people.
www.wiktionary.org/ says aged means; “Undergone the
effects of time, improving as a result.”
Wow, my new favorite website! But
seriously, again a word that is not so different from the masses – of general (my emphasis) adults in society.
www.thefreedictionary.com/ defines elderly as; “Being
past middle age
and approaching old
age; rather old.”
Well, okay, not my favorite website. But
still, not quite herding ALL grey-hairs into a far-off nursing home with stinky
feet and Pablum for lunch. AHA! How many of you “adults” remember
Pablum? See – digression-be-good!
www.google.com/ says decrepit means “Worn out or ruined
because of age or neglect.” What does
Google know – it’s VERY young!
The point here is...“Throwing
the baby out with the bathwater.” If ‘we’ older folks are so much like all the other ‘folks’ (definitively, that is), why is
it our/my world is more an alien one lately, than a familiar one where we are all in the same boat; (my writing teacher
is now leaving the cliché-room red-eyed and screaming)? But – a valid question, nonetheless.
I think the simple answer may allude to the simple premise
of ‘volume’. There is not room for
newspapers on every corner and the addition of all electronic stores that put
out computers and other communicative devices that now fill the edges of city
roads and malls of all sizes.
There may not be room for the large areas needed for corrals
that maintain horses and mules next to the much larger acres needed for John
Deere tractor companies to display their monsters-on-wheels (that cost LOTS
MORE to ‘feed’) and the dozens of immense ‘dealer lots’ displaying dizzying
amounts of vehicle designs and types (again – the hay versus gas discussion for
another post).
Selling everyday ladies clothes that cover up most female
body parts along side current everyday clothes that generally appear more
erotic than warm or ‘ready-to-wear’ (remember the first batch of polyester fashions
coined ‘ready-to-wear?), might overwhelm store space at Macys and Target.
Baby AND bathwater. Why
not keep some of the old AND some of the new/current everything. Then, we might feel less ‘alien’; the newer ‘demographics’’
would be used to our saggy bodies perusing the isles at Macy’s and WalMart,
buying what would no longer be ‘weird’ clothes, due to familiarity! And, the
more ‘alien’ available products might please our ‘group’. Gee, our group might actually be a part of
the ‘now’. So just maybe – this chasm
between the aged and the newbie’s…may be corporately generated; a deep thought.
To my ageing logic, our current world would seem less alien -
not only to the group ‘belonging’ to these weird clothes/phones/furniture/animals,
etc. but also to the newer generations who sometimes (maybe moretimes) tend to view
the largest age group of Americans existing as…something less than an errant variety of predator from some Jurassic
Park redo…gone astray.
Instead, the small come-back of the now ‘alien’ things of
our generation, are labeled “retro” and set aside as a style, a throwback
design, something unconnected to the present reality of – I dare repeat, the largest
demographic group in the nation.
Let it be known here and forever…we are real; we are
intelligent; we are experienced;
we are buyers and would like to be
able to buy some of the ‘things’ we
know as ‘real’.
But – if tossing the baby AND bathwater works for the now, the new age, the cell phone
citizens of now-land, then who am I to question….. I am - my ‘group’ is; WE are - after all, just
the babies…
One of my favorite - oldies-but-goodies, comes to mind. But I wonder if the now-adults remember the form of communication used here.....
As always, NATURE prevails.
One of my favorite - oldies-but-goodies, comes to mind. But I wonder if the now-adults remember the form of communication used here.....
As always, NATURE prevails.
Tuesday, February 3, 2015
TRAILS of LOVIN': Supersize a Hug
We’ve all heard the phrase…”There’s no free lunch”. Not so today…at McDonald's #15874 in Springfield, Missouri at
2115 E. Independence, just off the James River
Freeway.
When we first ordered and the friendly cashier said…”Your meal’s free…for Lovin", I’m sure my
look mirrored the three heads she instantly grew! Once she repeated her request with a big
smile and a slower speed, explaining that a hug, a joke, a handshake to a
stranger…would pay our tab…well, you get the picture. Any excuse to hug my DH and soul-mate extraordinaire does not get
past me too quickly, and the
hugs/smiles/loads of good “Lovin” began.
The people ahead of me had a similar…”is this for real”
expression; then the same big smiles.
The exchange between them - and us, a few minutes later was neat as well.
The point being, for a few minutes in that restaurant
yesterday, “Some Lovin” took hold and spread amongst a few people in this
world. We all experienced a few perfect moments, as this blogger has
written about before.
Life is all about ‘perfect moments’. This is a dangerous world including much
unhappiness; death, disaster, poverty, wars, diseases, the possibility of space
objects stopping by to spend a few memorable moments creating havoc on our
little piece of rock. It’s the “roses”
along the path; the “perfect moments” that make it all more than
worthwhile. The new-born foal, the
first cry your child shares with your air, a life-time kiss at the Alter, the
ethereal song of a Cetacean as they breach the shimmering waters of our
precious oceans.
And yes, a hug at McDonald's…on
a stressful day of house-hunting, on a bright, late winter day in stunning
southwest Missouri…USA, was just such a “perfect moment”. Kudos
to the manager at this McDonald's who implemented this promo.
My Son thinks we spend way too much time at McDonald's, and
maybe we do. But at 67 and 71, their many salads we consume, help ease the
tiredness of our late days and nourish us.
Their delicious coffee brightens many a morning for me when life…could
be a bit easier. I’ve heard many renditions of the movie “Supersize Me”; and
I’m sure it has its value. And yes, I’ve
seen people feed their 14 month old child in a high-chair a bunch of French
fries while they consumed a huge cheeseburger.
But today, the perfect moment we experienced at this McDonald's, warranted a small note to let the world know that “perfect moments”
in life, can happen anywhere, anytime, anyplace. Keep your eyes open and your heart ready to
receive one; they are worth the trip down this lovely road we call…life, here
on planet Earth.
'Thank you, McDonald's’, on Independence Road, for giving us a ‘perfect moment’ in our day, yesterday.
'Thank you, McDonald's’, on Independence Road, for giving us a ‘perfect moment’ in our day, yesterday.
NATURE prevails….even
at McDonald's!
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
TODAY: THE TRAIL between yesterday and tomorrow
14 January 2015
It’s settled! The
votes are in, the totals tallied, the facts are indisputable. TODAY – that tenuous, ethereal, so often
philosophized subject of time and space as it relates to our Earthly realities,
is finally understood. It is real! It is
here. It is occurring, to each of us – to every living atom in the Universe...every
day.
Or is it?
Physically: TODAY is
finitely defined as the timeline between 12:01 AM – that absolute moment after midnight, till it ends
– abruptly, at midnight/12:00 PM; exactly 23 hours and 59 minutes of relative
time and space (as observed on Planet Earth that is), through which every atom
known must exist. It is known as a day,
1/365th of a year, 1/30th (or so) of a month. It is a time when we celebrate birthdays,
any myriad of anniversaries, holidays; we spend this time in imaginable and
even unimaginable manners of living.
Sometimes, these 24 or so of our measured hours seem to last
forever. How many daydreaming
schoolchildren contemplate their entire lives during those few hours; how many
decade-long wars are stopped and also started within that time-frame?! Lives are joined in marriage, ended in
divorce, graduations come deeply honored as do epitaphs of lives fully lived…or
lives rued for their horrific endings.
Life happens…during TODAY.
Philosophically:
TODAY can be defined, comparatively, as a moment, as in today is the beginning of the rest of my
life. Philosophers expend reams of paper discussing the reality of TODAY;
is it a brief moment in the infinite time line of forever? Some Buddhist and other Eastern spiritual
circles discuss today as if it might actually be forever, depending on your
state of stillness, connectedness to your inner divinity which can be defined
as having no time/space, thus maybe allowing our beings to momentarily, have a
foot (so to speak) in both events of reality, if that can be stretched as a
possible actuality.
Authors have also spent reams of paper trying to stop time;
“The Day the Earth Stood Still’, for example. We are fascinated with time
travel, as if that was not a contradiction in terms. Time and space are inextricably tied
together, aren’t they?! Or maybe…not?
I say that TODAY…is non existent. It is a fallacy, an attempt we humans have construed to try to stop time/space so we can further our egos in any multiple manner of ways. It allows us to gather in, gives us a space to be still, when in essence, time is truly never still. It would not be time then, would it?
I say that TODAY…is non existent. It is a fallacy, an attempt we humans have construed to try to stop time/space so we can further our egos in any multiple manner of ways. It allows us to gather in, gives us a space to be still, when in essence, time is truly never still. It would not be time then, would it?
I suggest that TODAY, at least philosophically, exists only
in the absence of YESTERDAY and TOMORROW, which as we know time, is impossible, correct?
If it did not, then how could my birthday exist…in all three time
frames? It is only one event,
correct? Last I checked, I was not
related to The Trinity. Think about
that.
As I write this on January 14th, 2015, I am
writing this in TODAY, correct? Then how
does that etched-in-time document become something in YESTERDAY’S place…TOMORROW? It is a conundrum. But if we’re standing in naked truth here (at
least for a split second of TODAY), how do we truly…define TODAY? Is it…definable?
That question may go on with the forever of TOMORROWS, as it
has with the forever of YESTERDAYS. It
will continue to be discussed to death by we humans who could not even answer
intelligently, any question about
forever, since it is incomprehensible in a time/space based human brain. In
mine, anyway. I’ve tried; it is a tune
for naked insanity! Makes me think of
the cartoons where they think so hard the head begins to smolder and then quickly
explodes into flames. Yes; great description of that thought process.
So the next time you sit down with your blank paper, ready
to dump all those chores and bucket-list items onto a piece of lowly paper, try
not to think about WHEN those things will come to fruition. It…may ruin your DAY.
NATURE Prevails.
Sunday, December 14, 2014
CHRISTMAS TRAILS: a medley
I am moved to write something to commemorate this special
season, have been for several days now. But my muse is missing, lost in
action; well, very LITTLE action, is the
point!
So I persevered. ‘Maybe someone else has said something
worth repeating.’ I pondered; now there’s
a thought!
So I surfed, and searched and read and searched some
more. So many heart-wrenching, joyful,
memorable stories out there. The search
alone, made my holiday heart quite full.
But I doubt that posting links to all these sites would be
something I could sleep with tonight (I like to sleep, - not my fault, I’m
Italian). Maybe, re-write all those…OKAY! Okay,
I’m ‘reaching’…a bit.
So…what to do?!
Then I came across some quotes – lots of them. The more I read, the farther my muse hid in
its Kozy Korner it so enjoys when the heat
is on. Not always though, but I digress,
yet again. I do that often. Usually
when my muse is unavailable. Okay! Enough! Back to Christmas.
You remember, Christmas stories, right? Right!
I can almost hear David Seville on the beginning of the record of Alvin and
the Chipmunks, screaming “ALVIN!” to get him to start singing; same problem,
different century. And you all are most
likely too young to recall that tune! Alvin
and the Chipmunks, I mean.
Alright, already…don’t get your wrapping paper all crumbled
up – it’ll look funny around Mother’s present, for goodness sake! So here are some quotes! With links, of course.
Many quotes on this site; http://www.finestquotes.com/select_quote-category-Christmas-page-2.htm
Many quotes on this site; http://www.finestquotes.com/select_quote-category-Christmas-page-2.htm
“Christmas, my child, is love in action. Every time we love,
every time we give, it's Christmas.” Dale Evans Rogers
“Christmas is most truly Christmas when we celebrate it by
giving the light of love to those who need it most.” Ruth
Carter Stapleton
“He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it
under a tree.” Roy L. Smith
“A goose never voted for an early Christmas.” Irish
Saying
“I wish we could put some of the Christmas spirit in jars
and open a jar of it every month.” Harlan Miller
“Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a
conspiracy of love.” Hamilton Wright Mabi
“Christmas, children, is not a date. It is a state of mind.” Mary Ellen Chase
“Peace on earth will come to stay, when we live Christmas
every day.” Helen Steiner Rice
This quote stood out as I searched this site; http://www.inspirationalquotes4u.com/christmasquotes/index.html : “When you extend your
goodwill in every direction, regardless of circumstances, you begin to see that
we are all one.” Lao-Tzu
One of my favorites...
“I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good - will to men!”
And last, but not least: “The only real blind person at
Christmas-time is he who has not Christmas in his heart.” Helen
Keller http://picture-thoughts.com/Christmas_thoughts.html
Remember, way back
a few words, Christmas stories, right?
My original pursuit? Well, I think
this one is a keeper. Enjoy. http://coffeeclatter.com/encounter-with-a-real-angel/
PEACE ON EARTH is a common wish during Christmas. To my thinking, this prayer/poem sums up this - sometimes, elusive state of mind:
MAKE ME A CHANNEL OF YOUR PEACE
Make me a channel of your peace.
Where there is hatred let me bring your
love.
Where there is injury, your pardon, Lord
And where there's doubt, true faith in
you.
Chorus:
Oh, Master grant that I may never seek
So much to be consoled as to console
To be understood as to understand
To be loved as to love with all my soul.
Make me a channel of your peace
Where there's despair in life, let me bring
hope
Where there is darkness, only light
And where there's sadness, ever joy.
Chorus:
Make me a channel of your peace
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned
In giving to all men that we receive
And in dying that we're born to eternal
life.
Francis of Assisi, 13th cent
http://www.hymnary.org/hymn/PsH/545
An interesting, ethereal and somewhat different rendition of this prayer/poem in song.
MAKE ME A CHANNEL OF YOUR PEACE
Make me a channel of your peace.
Where there is hatred let me bring your
love.
Where there is injury, your pardon, Lord
And where there's doubt, true faith in
you.
Chorus:
Oh, Master grant that I may never seek
So much to be consoled as to console
To be understood as to understand
To be loved as to love with all my soul.
Make me a channel of your peace
Where there's despair in life, let me bring
hope
Where there is darkness, only light
And where there's sadness, ever joy.
Chorus:
Make me a channel of your peace
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned
In giving to all men that we receive
And in dying that we're born to eternal
life.
Francis of Assisi, 13th cent
http://www.hymnary.org/hymn/PsH/545
An interesting, ethereal and somewhat different rendition of this prayer/poem in song.
Nature prevails...especially this season
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Missouri Trails: We made it!
We finally moved to Missouri. It was a long, back-straining, tiring journey for us 'oldsters', but worth every aching muscle!
The garden area is already tilled, complete with lovely rabbit leaved-over donations from a new friend (THANK YOU!). The soil is promising; dark, loose, very few rocks. Next year's tomato crop (among other munchies) are filling our dreams.
Don't know if we will have chickens again, but have already connected with someone who does; we're enjoying pretty eggs, varying shades of brown and blue. Yum!
The fall colors here are stunning, same as I recall from my youth in N. J.; the oaks - various shades of brown and rust - only on the top so far. The Maples in our yard are fading from bright green to a softer yellowish tone. And the lovely leaves are all over the grass-covered, moist ground - one round already picked up with the mower and 'melting' quickly in the garden soil.
"Wildlife" is prevalent - even here in town. I re-homed a large Waking Stick from the porch to the large Maple nearby; he was quite cooperative. A Possum scurried through the back yard last week. Spiders of all shapes, sizes and color pop up everywhere. (NOT my favorite 'wildlife'...but trade-offs in life are a distinct reality) No worries - we've discovered that a nice mist of Lavender and Peppermint, generously sprayed in pertinent areas not only freshens the indoor air but makes living in our space a distasteful exercise for the local arachnid population; a perfect healthy, democratic compromise!
Armadillo 'remains' litter the sides of the highways. We always seem to have a cute little bunny sitting somewhere in our yard; they occupy many yards along our evening exercise route.
We enjoyed a lovely day-trip this week to Lake of the Ozarks. A water moccasin convinced DH he probably desired a different rock for his fishing spot! But it was an 'agreeable' interaction...
As I rested nearby watching DH 'test' his new fishing pole along the water's edge near the boat ramp, I received a degree in 'economics'. For about 2 hours, I watched as literally over a MILLION dollars worth of stunning/large/brand new looking BASS boats were pulled off the water. The smallest one appeared to be worth over $50,000 (if our recent visit to a local Bass Pro Shop was any indication). Granted, it was the finish of a Bass Tournament. But still...I was awed and stunned by the amount of money represented in these play toys. And this was not even a holiday weekend crowd. This nation's current 'recession' does not - apparently, affect a large part of the population. I now better understand the source of funding for the inside and outside decor of Bass Pro Shops!
The rain here is awesome, too; sometimes for days. Soft, relaxing, life-giving to all the vast miles of green in every direction. Makes for relaxing sleeping.
We're home, finally. The Ozarks; where...
Nature truly prevails.
The garden area is already tilled, complete with lovely rabbit leaved-over donations from a new friend (THANK YOU!). The soil is promising; dark, loose, very few rocks. Next year's tomato crop (among other munchies) are filling our dreams.
Don't know if we will have chickens again, but have already connected with someone who does; we're enjoying pretty eggs, varying shades of brown and blue. Yum!
The fall colors here are stunning, same as I recall from my youth in N. J.; the oaks - various shades of brown and rust - only on the top so far. The Maples in our yard are fading from bright green to a softer yellowish tone. And the lovely leaves are all over the grass-covered, moist ground - one round already picked up with the mower and 'melting' quickly in the garden soil.
"Wildlife" is prevalent - even here in town. I re-homed a large Waking Stick from the porch to the large Maple nearby; he was quite cooperative. A Possum scurried through the back yard last week. Spiders of all shapes, sizes and color pop up everywhere. (NOT my favorite 'wildlife'...but trade-offs in life are a distinct reality) No worries - we've discovered that a nice mist of Lavender and Peppermint, generously sprayed in pertinent areas not only freshens the indoor air but makes living in our space a distasteful exercise for the local arachnid population; a perfect healthy, democratic compromise!
Armadillo 'remains' litter the sides of the highways. We always seem to have a cute little bunny sitting somewhere in our yard; they occupy many yards along our evening exercise route.
We enjoyed a lovely day-trip this week to Lake of the Ozarks. A water moccasin convinced DH he probably desired a different rock for his fishing spot! But it was an 'agreeable' interaction...
As I rested nearby watching DH 'test' his new fishing pole along the water's edge near the boat ramp, I received a degree in 'economics'. For about 2 hours, I watched as literally over a MILLION dollars worth of stunning/large/brand new looking BASS boats were pulled off the water. The smallest one appeared to be worth over $50,000 (if our recent visit to a local Bass Pro Shop was any indication). Granted, it was the finish of a Bass Tournament. But still...I was awed and stunned by the amount of money represented in these play toys. And this was not even a holiday weekend crowd. This nation's current 'recession' does not - apparently, affect a large part of the population. I now better understand the source of funding for the inside and outside decor of Bass Pro Shops!
The rain here is awesome, too; sometimes for days. Soft, relaxing, life-giving to all the vast miles of green in every direction. Makes for relaxing sleeping.
We're home, finally. The Ozarks; where...
Nature truly prevails.
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