Needing Nature

  Home Really Is Where the Heart Is It's been a couple years since we took a vacation and it didn't take long to realize what I've been missing.  I haven't been to Medicine Bow in a while and it was so good to be back.   It was a pretty short trip but long enough to realize: 1.   We REALLY need to get away more. 2.   We have been recreation deprived. 3.   Working more and harder isn't making us happier.  4.   Coming home I had more patience with many of the stressful things about work.  I'm sure that will vanish after a week, but I'll take what I can get. 5.   I am committed to taking more time to get away.   I've been trying to take walks along the river, at the forest preserves, etc. but I think I need to change it up a bit.  More to come on that soon.....

Northern Lake Michigan in July after a storm. 

I took this in the car as I was running kids around from place to place. The flowering pears lining the street were breathtaking and of course the picture taken while driving did not turn out great, but it is my snapshot of the day. When all was done, I went home and sat on the back patio. Sitting in the cool, crisp air, looking at the stars, the spring evening conjured up memories. Memories of similar nights looking at the stars, nights back in high school during Fall with football season, marching band, nights as a child at Halloween, nights in Spring as we played freeze tag and flashlight tag on into the night never feeling the chill, nights camping as a child surrounded by the comfort and security of my family, nights camping as an adult and parent........... All connected with this common thread of a cool evening. Even now after non stop running and sorting out activities, I sit here and can finally breathe. Too chilly now to be without a jacket, I cannot move, relishing the a...

This is my sunbleached chair I left out all winter, waiting for me. Waiting for today. It's March 5, sunny and 43 degrees but my patio feels like 55. I sit here, thinking. I sit here wanting to write. Ideas bombard me. My head clears, the sun warms my soul and I breathe. I love this time of year. I hear geese flying overhead (coming back, perhaps?), but other than the distant barking of a dog and a far off airplane, all is quiet and peaceful. No lawnmowers, no kids playing, no sounds of summer. Don't get me wrong. I love the sounds of summer, but I love now, too. I love this moment. The way I feel now confirms what I already know, that I need nature for my well being. I think we all do, but not everyone takes the time to stop and listen. My brief interlude on my patio on a 43 degree day in early March is all I need. I am not able to focus on much else, and it appears that I'm not getting much done. Or am I?