I saw a cute meme that said: “I’m not outdoorsy. I’m more outsidesy.” That’s pretty apt for me, too. I love my walks at Mill Creek and Bennington. Day hike? Sign me up. A weeklong backpacking trip? I’m probably not your huckleberry. Ooh, huckleberry picking? For sure. I like to go to nature and then come home. But I think that’s where we get things off a bit…nature is all around us and we superimpose notions of civilization on top. Fires, flood, hurricanes, earthquakes are all reminders that nature bats last and some healthy respect is definitely due.
I am grateful for nature as a teacher, a therapist, a reminder of just how magical and fragile life on this planet is. Today, I saw leaves of various vibrant hues, water fowl, and listen to the sound of running water. Whether it’s the experiences here in my stomping grounds or at the coast, the Columbia gorge, or any of our gorgeous mountains, I’m so thankful for the variety and beauty of what this pocket of the world showcases.
Feryl Files 