True Medicine

This may be my new favorite place. The road is not far- I can hear the roar of motors in the distance, but I don't care. I imagine it is the sound of wind dancing through the trees...

It is half dead here, but gives way to life. Still, but eddying. Just past sun-up, when it topples over naked treetops, casting golden light across high places and grass tips.

Frost glitters.

Water, black as midnight moves steadily through the skeletal remains of what was, at one time, a forest. Tree corpses + cattails.

It is pure bliss here. Peaceful to the core. (Contrary to what one may think of a swamp. Likewise of the desert) And it always seems like I have this space to myself.

I move through the low places, where the not-fully-risen-sun barely touches through the branches. It is colder here. Frozen ground cold. I am happiest being alone here (aside from my canine companions). The world seems different when it is still semi-sleeping.

We are unintentionally following a trail of blood. I assume either an animal killed or wounded by some creature. The trail leads on for a while (the dogs are fascinated) and the blood is so thick and bright from the cold temperature that it looks like paint. Surreal. Some areas are pooled and thicker- it makes me curious as to what really happened here. There is no fur. No remnants. No traces other than some scat and the once alive red liquid.

The light is so fresh here. I know it isn't new, but I love how early morning is the first time the light, right at this moment, is caressing the land on this new day.

Like they've never touched each other before.

I tend to be a homebody. Ideally living in an area where I can walk out my front door or travel a short distance to a wild place that I love beyond words. Love to wanter and get lost in. (However, I will admit that there is also a new and romantic wanderlust growing inside me. I am dreaming of new and exotic places to travel to and explore.) I love to go out for hours in the morning with the dogs, to return home and work the rest of the afternoon. It sets the mood and balances my mind + heart.

True medicine.

Simple Sunshine

Make time to spend outside.
Every day.
You will find new ways to connect to the world around you.
It will lift you up and renew your spirit, for sure!

Bring a pack, fill it will things you might like to have with you so you can linger. A camera, sketchbook, layers and, of course, tea~

I find that when I am out in the woods or wandering along the coast I am calm, my mind has time and space to just be in the place where I stand (something that is normally quite difficult for me to do).

I feel at peace with myself.
Plunking down next to a little brook with a waterfall and listening to the water babble, my mind is clear. The water does all the talking and I can just listen. Or sitting on a boulder under dazzling, radiant sunshine. Smiling, as I lay back and turn my face toward the glowing warmth.

Found + Sketching

There are days when I can't really find words.

As much as I may say, it is all about what I see.

Spending lovely days out of doors,

eating raspberries (the fruit of the goddess),

and perfecting a few new designs.

Bradley Palmer State Park