Living in Nature

How often do you notice the tree just beyond the gas station? The vineyards that march along beside the road, the green carpeting blanketing the ground?

So many times, I’m just driving. I see it, but don’t really SEE it. I don’t appreciate the beauty of it. Because, well… because I’m used to it.

I am so lucky to travel so many country roads, full of beautiful scenery, both at the start and the end of my day. It takes me about 15 minutes of driving on those country roads to get to the freeway.

And yet, i stopped really seeing what’s around me.

Recently, one of my friends tagged me on the 7 days of Nature challenge on Facebook (**hi Rie!**). I love it. I could just use one of my many, many pictures from the beach. Instead, I started opening my eyes.

Day 1, I posted a picture of the bark on the pine tree in our front yard. It was very pretty, different…

Day 2’s post got ate my my iPhone, so i used the back up of one of my beach photos… and then they were both there. It was of a very cool tree by the gas station where I go in the morning. Friday’s got eaten completely, a flower blooming unexpectedly.

Today’s picture? Well… it was from a Mini Hike the boyo’s and I took (the princeling and his cousin). About 5 minutes, like I said a mini hike. But so pretty!

The mini hike was because we were going to a museum on free museum day… along with everyone else is the whole area. But the hike from the overflow parking lot to the museum? A nice little treat.

Most of the time, Facebook feels kind of disconnected from real life. But this challenge? It’s brought me back to looking for the beauty in every day life.

And, it brought me back to a place that centers me. This morning, during Mommy time, I took the time to go to the river and… breathe.

 

Bird Song, Dirt Digger

(Written previously)

It’s 5am and I’m sitting out back, listening to the birds. I love that there is so much… nature out here. Yesterday, Ray chased down the birds with a butterfly net. He waves bye-bye as they are fleeing his net. Mostly, they are these funny little birds with blue wings and tail and an off white chest. They are about the right size to fit in a cupped palm. Perfect for the butterfly net should he ever actually catch one. Yesterday, though, I also saw a hummingbird. It was so curious, had to check out the swing set. I guess it was just curious too see all the changes and meet the new neighbors.

Ray has also discovered the joys of digging. We brought out the sand box toys from Gacca’s, and he really loves that little shovel! There’s a little space on the patio, behind the big bush, this is bordered with wood planks and has nothing but dirt for him to have fun with. It’s all packed kind of tight, so I may buy some sand for it, or clean dirt. LOL.