Perfect Memory

“All water has a perfect memory and is forever trying to get back to where it was.” Toni Morrison

Happy Saturday, friends! Go make some perfect memories.

The Shadows Will Fall

“Keep your face always toward the sunshine – and shadows will fall behind you.”
— Walt Whitman

The bad news about using this blog as a daily writing exercise is that I don’t always have the time to write every day. For today, here’s a pretty picture from last summer and some good advice from Mr Whitman! Enjoy!

It’s What You See

The question is not what you look at, but what you see. Thoreau’s Journal, August 5, 1851

It’s Saturday! Go see something fabulous. Better yet, go somewhere ordinary and look for something extraordinary. That’s when the magic happens – when you look for the good and the special in the ordinary.

You may be surprised at what you will see!

The Longest Day

It’s a pity that the longest day of the year is also usually one of the hottest. I spent my work day worshiping the central air but ultimately decided to brave the elements and enjoy an early evening hike.

John Muir said “And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.”

It was that kind of day.

I donned my best sun hat and headed to my closest trail for a four mile trek along a mostly shaded path. I walked alone but was never lonely as I was in the company of dragonflies, squirrels and birds.

It was somewhere along this trail that I managed to shut off the work day and allow my mind to wander to my surroundings. Sometimes I wonder if I didn’t miss my calling. I once had a chance to be a park ranger but passed on the opportunity in favor of clinging to the known and comfortable.

Maybe that was a mistake. Then again, maybe not. That’s one of those questions that cannot be answered but I trust that things have worked out for the best.

Here’s another question that cannot be answered. Do we think fairies live in this tree? I’m leaning toward yes!

Whether or not I chose the right career path is irrelevant. The good news is I can still enjoy an evening on a different kind of path and marvel in the freedom of feet on the trail and head in the clouds.

Isn’t that one of the things that make life great?

Just Bloom

“A flower does not think of competing with the flower next to it. It just blooms.”– Zen Shin

Let’s all learn from the flowers, shall we? Now go. Bloom and be happy and without worry.

Have a happy Sunday, friends!

Whispering Tree

This tree in the Hocking Hills State Park here in Ohio always captures my imagination. Doesn’t it look like it’s uprooting itself and starting to walk away?

It reminds me of this line that was written by J.R.R. Tolkien in his popular novel The Fellowship of the Rings

“I thought all the trees were whispering to each other, passing news and plots along in an unintelligible language; and the branches swayed and groped without any wind. They do say the trees do actually move, and can surround strangers and hem them.”

It’s a fantastical idea that a tree could whisper and move and I am quite taken with the idea that this one is trying. It’s silly, I know, but sometimes a gal just needs to believe in a little magic!