A spider lives inside my head
Who weaves a strange and wondrous web
Of silken threads and silver strings
To catch all sorts of flying things,
Like crumbs of thoughts and bits of smiles
And specks of dried-up tears,
And dust of dreams that catch and cling
For years and years and years …
~Shel Silverstein
The barred owl, with intent focus, glided over the flooded forest floor, stretching out its talons to swiftly snatch up its prey. Then it landed on a nearby tree branch to examine its prize. Carefully, it extricated its catch from collected debris. Aware of my presence, the owl took flight deeper into the woods to savor its snack in solitude.
“One of the very nicest things about life is the way we must regularly stop whatever it is we are doing and devote our attention to eating.”
– Luciano Pavarotti
Each day, during my walk along the country road, I come across a small cluster of white asters. This area has clearly become a “happening spot”, serving as a source of sustenance for a number of pollinating insects. It is fascinating to watch as they perform their graceful dance among the blooms.
The careful insect ‘midst his works I view,
Now from the flowers exhaust the fragrant dew,
With golden treasures load his little thighs,
And steer his distant journey through the skies.
~John Gay
Last week, we finally received some much-needed rain. Between the rain showers, we were able to see a variety of clouds, several rainbows, and patches of low-lying fog. It was a joy to witness all the natural beauty around us.
Instructions for living a life:
Pay attention.
Be astonished.
Tell about it.
~Mary Oliver
walking on a country road 