Once again, Spring has arrived in my little corner of the world, even though in the countryside at my folks’ place, where I’m visiting this weekend, there is still snow on the ground. I love Spring! It’s a magical time of year, although so are all of the seasons in their own way. But there is something about the feeling of renewal and transformation of Spring, that speaks to me in my inner core essence.
Outside there is one lone crocus peaking up through the earth, and there is a fresh smell in the air that seems to be calling to my soul and encouraging me to wake up from my time of slumber and winter hibernation. “Get ready to LIVE!” it seems to be saying.
Early Spring crocus.
On my way driving here to my folk’s place in the morning, four wild turkeys had slowly crossed the road in front of my car. And this afternoon while out walking, in the snow I saw wild turkey footprints as well as deer hoof prints. We even saw a nest in a tree that looked different than a bird’s nest and then realized that there was something inside, likely a squirrel, but we didn’t go close enough to see for sure as we didn’t want to disturb it.
Wild turkey tracks.
The beauty of the trees here always amazes me, even though it has been more than thirty-five years since my parents moved us here when I was a child and I suppose some may say that’s time enough to get used to it. But it never fails to astonish me just how beautiful and awe-inspiring it is to be in scenery like this. There is an immediate connection to my soul and each time I walk amongst the trees: cedar, tamarack, pine, spruce, black locust, walnut, maple, sumacs, and more, afterwards I feel my well spring of energy is replenished.
Trees in Spring
During our walk we went by the pile of moss covered cut logs. The thick green moss covering them looks so magical to me and I felt that I was in an enchanted place. Some of the mundane objects that could be considered by many to be everyday sights have what I consider a special ethereal quality that to me provides them with the ability to transform a place that I am in to that of a fantastical magical place. I almost expected a fairy of old to pop out from behind one of the moss covered logs laughingly commenting on my stopping during our walk to admire the thickly carpeted green logs.
Moss covered logs.
I remember when I was a kid and then a teenager, going to the rock piles in the forest further back on our property. I knew the large circular piles of rocks had been gathered from the fields by farmers in the old days, and placed there to be out of their way. But I have always felt that the rocks have a mystical magical quality, which has been either imbued in them over the years or just something they have earned with all that they have seen as the seasons have gone by, and that they stand testament to. They remember. And it gives the rock piles a mystical quality of enchanted place.
Naturally, it is easy to feel connected with nature and for me to recharge my well spring of energy here when I go on walks. And I am very much rooted in a sense of this place. However, when I leave here and return to my own home, the feeling of peace, and connectedness is still there for me. The walks here and being in nature are good for my soul but also remind me of what it feels like to be alive and connected, not only to our mother Earth, but also connected to my own inner core essence. I work to maintain my mindfulness practices even when I am not in the countryside, and I pause sometimes to remind myself that the ability to replenish my energy, connect with nature, and myself, are not dependent on being in one type of place only but are mine to enjoy regardless of where I am physically located.
Soon the snow will be completely gone from the ground here, and the spring flowers will grow. Spring is fully here by the calendar but outside it is just arriving. In another week or two it will be much warmer and easier to walk around the fields and trees with the snow gone. I have happy thoughts of planning to come here and gather vines, grasses, wildflowers to shape into wreaths and garlands. But for now that will need to wait a little longer.