Sometimes you'll notice something, and then you'll question whether or not it's probably happened before and, like many who roam through life being busy, you weren't still enough to take notice. It's sometimes a reminder that reprieves are needed. A few days back, during a very warm, humid afternoon, as I sat in an empty lot, I was a spectator to an amazing site: a wealth of leaves on a tree appearing to "clap" in unison. There is no benefit of video here, but the below photo shows the tree to which I refer. Truth be told, a warm breeze kicked up, and the greenery was all at once sent into a tumultuous "flapping," the tree appearing to dance as each leaf was blown to extreme by the breeze. It was not only interesting, but amazing, the sounds heard roughly about 50 yards away. Close your eyes; just imagine it. As I continued to sit in the car, bolstered by the sight just seen, I decided to focus on nature that was a bit more subdued. Next to my car, I found the following, high grasses and weeds unaltered recently by man, nature permitted the freedom to grow to current extreme. I envision beneath the ground the roots of the growth perhaps wrapping around the bottom of the posts, and maybe the footing for the fire hydrant. Obviously the parcel of land needs a manicure, for aesthetics as well as use of the hydrant if needed.
I post this brief reminder on a wet, rainy Saturday: get out and enjoy, embrace nature -- no matter where and how seemingly insignificant. I'm certain nature doesn't always wow us, and maybe it doesn't have to. But it should still us, deliver peace enough to get our mind off of other things. Steve
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After a week of sunshine and blistering heat, I welcome the rain this morning. In fact, I've opened the window to the basement library where my writing desk resides, so I can hear the rain fall and the cars driving by my house slosh through the many puddles on the street.
Earlier, when the rain was falling very heavily, I exited the back door of our home and stood on the back deck under the awning, watching and listening to the rain patter above my protected head, the birds flying quickly to the nearby bushes and trees. I wasn't thinking much at that moment; I was just looking and listening. As I type this post, I'm thinking of the dead bird that I buried yesterday under our corner forsythia bush, the latest of many birds and rabbits that have met perhaps untimely ends in my yard and the immediate neighboring area. I recall how warm it was yesterday when I dug that hole, placed the tiny bird into it, laid a cross made from twigs on its body, said a few prayers, and moved the dirt back upon the bird and into the hole. The rain this morning is firming that spot, nourishing it, and soon grass will grow over the spot where the tiny bird lay, as it has with the others. So, rain, perhaps others may curse you this morning, but you've brought a little something special to my day. I thank you. And DON'T go away. Steve Those who know me well know I am a reader, and that perhaps my favorite thing (nowadays) to peruse are books about nature. When I read these books, and then in turn visit nature to draw my own conclusions and visions of the environment, my soul, my being, feel a true peace, like I can rest and view the goings-on -- birds flying and landing, high grasses being blown by the wind, butterflies fluttering from and landing on different flowers -- for a decent amount of time.
So, perhaps I can say that nature educates me, teaches me that I need time for this rest, the escape from all that badgers for my time during busy days. However, there is another lesson to be learned, and I was recently made aware of it in a local magazine. There is the shorebird phenomenon, where the birds fly up from the south, land and feed on the beaches May through July, and then head back south for the off-season in July. How many times I thought that trip back was, instead, in September or October, when breezes grow crisp and area beaches become desolate. Instead, for reasons known only to the birds and Ornithologists, the departure happens sooner than later. Now, if I misinterpreted the article and what I have typed above is somewhat incorrect, I invite no criticism. I claim no expertise in the area, only a love for the sight and peace that nature brings me, However, what I stated does teach me a personal and business lesson, so if that's it's true worth, so be it. If the birds are getting a jump on things, making progress sooner than later than I thought, fattened after feeding for the long trip home, what about me? That marketing, the goal setting: should it be performed when necessary minus procrastination? The article assignment received from my editor today (and, by the way, I did get one), have I started the first draft and reached out already to sources, or am I going to wait until Monday, thereby casting aside 3 days worth of worthwhile progress, inching closer to deadline and realizing man-made stress? Or, will I, like the birds, get a move on, rev up for the trip home, aka article submission? Well, I did start the article today. I have always made it a habit to create and start writing a first draft the moment I get a assignment green light. Also, I will be reaching out to sources in just a we bit (on this, Friday afternoon). So, if I can become just like one of those many shorebirds, mirroring their work ethic towards progress, I feel like I can accomplish much more and stay ahead in my writing career. I'm in good company. Steve |
Steve Sears is a New Jersey based freelance writer
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