…but really what I need to do is be outside. Even if the folks who prophesy the weather say the next few days will be unbearable due to high temperatures and high humidity, the environment must be experienced. Most other desire or want takes a backseat, and the need to be on a trail somewhere is growing stronger everyday. Damn the heat – a ridge shaded with maple trees and up in the winds is as comfortable as a summer night sitting on the back porch.
This need is most addictive and welcome, I have to say. I have an addictive personality – meaning, when I find something I like, I tend to over do it and have a hard time leaving it alone. Yep, including alcohol. After about 30 years of abusing it, I have made up my mind that I can finally do without it (still a struggle, but that’s not for here). Not so with the need to be aware and familiar with the environment I inhabit. The attachment to it has me out there in all conditions, in all seasons.
In a weird twist, though, today I kept mostly to a groomed trail. Looking back at the walk, I wonder if maybe I’m starting to learn my lesson – the one where it says that not EVERY wander needs to include sweat and insect repellant stinging the eyes, or wood nettles and brambles scratching up my arms, legs or neck, or being bothered by insects in the ears and under my glasses, or picking ticks off. And my hat never got caught by any vegetative growth. WOW, now that I think about it. The path was mostly at the bottom of a valley though, and the air was thick.
I had time to get some fishing done, but the calling from the woods and paths are too strong right now. Soon it will be time to harvest game from the woods, and my mind has been turning to that. Although the scenery along the river near here is as beautiful as the woods and fields that line it’s banks, I guess I’ve proved to myself enough that I know how to catch a fish! I’m sure in the next week or two I’ll feel the need to put a fish pic on here – always happens eventually and my freezer is running low on trout.
So nothing to teach a blog readership, just had to get it off my chest that some sort of need is rearing it’s head and it has to do with being outside. Feeling it’s spirit – that’s what I’m here to say and encourage. And yes, I gave into temptation, wandered off the trail and cut a game trail to a ridge top. It always amazes me to notice the thousands of maple saplings growing on the north facing slopes, waiting for their day in the sun when a hole in the canopy opens up. The trees and plants on the south facing slopes seem to have more opportunity. Kinda neat. And the breeze was awesome on the ridge -
Until the next time – take care -
Wandering Owl
essence of greenness- that looks like a huge leggy spider between the trees in the middle
Thanks for visiting!
Nice to see the words come back a bit. The ridge looks like a good place to be. It’s supposed to be brutal here this week with the heat. Enjoyed the read Casey.
Hey Bill! Thanks for the kind comment about the words starting to return – but kinda sounds like I’ve said it before, eh? Oh well, I like to share the outside I guess.
Glad you got out there Casey. I have that need every day of my life, to get outside and just roll with whatever comes my way. I have to admit though, that I stumbled through the nettle today because I wasn’t paying attention! I need to start wearing long pants when I go out:) Great post!
Bill
Hello
bill! Long pants are an everyday part of my life anymore!!!!
Pretty pictures. Isn’t it amazing how much shade one tree casts? The need to be outside and exploring is similar to a writer’s need to write. I went swimming yesterday in the farm pond for the first time in two years. I’d forgotten how cool, clear, and liberating the water was, and I couldn’t believe all the bass and blue gill visible beneath the surface coming right up to you, undaunted. So many people are nature deprived. You certainly aren’t one of them.
Thank you Yvonne! I need to work on the habit of writing because I know where you’re coming from, just have some hurdle that needs cleared. What I want to capture is out there, it’s just hard to bring it to life through the keyboard (for me). And thank you for the “nature deprived” comment – that is probably going to be the subject of my next post (which I’m already outlining! How about that?!)
Take care -
Excellent words my friend, really putting across your desire to be ‘out there’, seems to me that your writing is flowing and painting then there pictures again.
John
Thank you very much John! I thought maybe I could have been a little more coherent – I always seem to be in a hurry because I know I’ll get outside again, soon…
Take care -