Creative Current #7 ~ Shedding Light

Though it was Palm Sunday today, I found myself not in Church waving palm branches, but instead out in the bogs, the high meadow, the woodlands, and the ponds and vernal pools behind my house.  Nature is my cathedral, my law-giver, my communion rail, my beloved.  I feel most alive hiking these trails...these familiar trails I have known since I was a small, little girl holding my Mom's hand.

On these trails you can feel the earth's pulse beat...

These are the wrists, temples, of the earth

Where I feel its pulse with my eye.

Although the day was sunny with just wisps of clouds, it was cold when I headed out across the bogs.  At the reservoir behind the bog,  I found my first "sign" of spring.  When did these pussy willows open their buds?  I had not noticed them in previous walks this week.

From all the snow run-off and rain, the reservoir is full and Blue Heron Island is underwater.

In the reeds and brush that border the second reservoir, I notice a newly constructed bird nest.  I think to myself what a fine place to raise babies.

Heading up to high country, I take a short cut on a trail that is hardly used.  I'm impatient to get to the high meadow.

Once there I have a clear view of the blue sky.  I lay down and just take in the warmth of the sun. 

Then I head down to the bog on the other side.  I notice how high the river is...

I find more pussy willows by the river....

I'm so excited that the sun is finally shining, I take a picture of my shadow.

As I walk, I think about living and dying.  This past year, I lost Mom in August and Tuck and Uncle Charlie in February.  I find comfort in my forest....for it teaches me that dying is part of the natural order of things...as is birth.  And what is in between ....playing in this world.

Now I come to the place in the forest where trail diverges...which path should I take?  The less traveled one of course...am I not an Aquarian?  I never follow the crowd.

My favorite tree is near John's Pond...it reminds me of an old woman.....

Leaving John's Pond, I take the trail over to Muddy Pond....

I pass a vernal pool where wood ducks raise their young.

And now once again, I am back to the reservoir behind my house.  Down by the stream I notice skunk cabbage just beginning to grow.

Back home once again, I think I need to think about making a bowl of cereal and sitting on this porch before tackling the leaves in the garden.