It’s been a quiet week here. Lots of changes in the wind. Lots of ideas percolating for this blog. One thing I’ve wanted to share for a long time is my daily walk.
Just down the street from my house is a trail that takes me into the town woods — affectionately known as Fairyland.
(For a better view, click on each photo.)
It’s not so easy, however, to take photos while keeping tabs on a busy puppy. My husband, Paul, joined us yesterday, leaving my hands free to hold a camera.
The trail is marked with quotes by Henry David Thoreau, who once wandered these woods.
No wonder, then, that the white birch is so prevalent and characteristic a tree with us and that the seedling birches spring up every year on so many neglected spots, but especially where the surface has been cleared or burned.
And there are other markers and whimsy as we wander down the trail.
And totems big and small left by fellow wanderers.
And this large rock pile seen through the trees. From this angle, it reminds me of a snowman in what so far has been an almost snowless winter. For years it has been knocked down and replaced with amazing regularity. One early morning my dearly departed Hobbes and I came across its maker sitting next to it with his dog. I was too shy to ask him what he was doing.
But my favorite totems are made by Mother Nature.
Karina and I start every day this way. Thanks for joining us!
She looks tuckered out. But you sound refreshed. Amazing how wonderful a walk in the woods is for our spirits.
How incredible that you start EVERY day in such an inspiring manner–I bet every day is different too. I actually just came back from a walk in the Michigan woods with my Mom and Sis and their dogs and the peace was something that this city girl (alright small town girl) needs. Beautiful photos as well!
Bisous to Karina please.
Dear Heather,
Michigan! My darling Paul is from Detroit. Yes, I love our daily walk. This morning’s was especially wonderful because we were joined by Kathleen and her dog, Zoe.
Kathleen lives on one side of the woods and I on the other. So great that we can meet up halfway. It’s our Sunday morning ritual.
Bisous delivered!
From a daily walker who’s having to relearn his stride. I just returned from my very first walk in the neighborhood since my knee surgery three Fridays ago.
It was a slow one. I kept trying to distract myself from thinking about my feet, so they would just be “natural” and know what they’re supposed to do without my mental input.
Sadly to no avail. The limp was inexorable, I couldn’t stop it’s protective instinct.
I guess it was trying to tell me something. It will have it’s own timetable!
Ah David, so good to hear from you. You have been on my mind! The knee will indeed have its own timetable for healing. Try not to rush things. Look at it as a short-term inconvenience that will result in a long-term gain.
Oh, you bring back the joys of the New England woods with this lovely post, even during the cold months. My daily walk is through such an urban landscape now, that I miss the peace you describe here–and you and Paul and Karina, of course!