One of my very favorite things in the world is clear water. Streams, creeks, rivers, springs and lakes in particular. I couldn't tell you why that became such a draw for me, but it's been that way since my early memories of the creek behind the old farmhouse where we lived, and the lake my … Continue reading Clear Water
Tag: walking
Failed Relaxation
Set out for a walk just after 9pm hoping it would help me relax before bed and about ten minutes in, the following occurs: Brain, anxiously: "What if a serial killer grabs us from behind and starts strangling us?" Stress response system: "Adrenalize! FIGHT MODE ENGAGED!" Me, definitely not relaxing now: ... Brain, cynically: "You … Continue reading Failed Relaxation
Gamer Meets Nature
More photos from today's nature preserve walk. First up, a bench dedicated to me, apparently! How nice! I found a loot chest! An unexpected reminder of a truly painful past - I am suddenly confronted by a Guild Wars 2 jumping puzzle. Oh look, I've found a treasure trove of tomes! Will they increase my … Continue reading Gamer Meets Nature
Nature Preserved, Digitally
I wanted to get out of the house and get a walk, so I drove to a small nature preserve not too far from us. I realize I'm late to the party and also not a great photographer but I did have fun taking pictures while there so I'm going to share some. The trees … Continue reading Nature Preserved, Digitally
Snap Judgments
I have a tendency to make some snap judgments based on face and body language, especially when it comes to men - a sort of active threat assessment. Today while out for my early morning walk I passed a ruddy, middle-aged jogger twice my size and he greeted me with a hearty good morning and … Continue reading Snap Judgments
New Ground to Tread
I've been taking walks in the morning since arriving here, since getting walks in the evening has proved more difficult. I'd prefer to prioritize a walk before bed to help me sleep more soundly, but there's definitely a charm to walking in the morning. One of the things I've liked about moving north is the … Continue reading New Ground to Tread
I’m Giving Myself a New Title
I'm proclaiming myself Queen of the Night and declaring the local park my territory after about 10pm. No one will be around to contest my claim, except perhaps Nature, and so far she's been content simply to soak my socks & shoes and give me the occasional jump scare, when one of those lurking night … Continue reading I’m Giving Myself a New Title
Another Spring Day
Today was quite a contrast to Tuesday's perfect spring day. The temperature is around 50. The sky is overcast from horizon to horizon, with grey clouds rippled like the sand at a beach. Yesterday's rain and today's sharp breeze have winnowed the blossoms from the trees, leaving them wistful, faded shades of their former glory. … Continue reading Another Spring Day
A Perfect Spring Day
If you happened to be out and about in the Chicago suburbs today, and saw a sun-burnt, plaid-clad relic of the 90s sniffing flowers, that was probably me, hi. I say probably, because it is a metro area of 9 million people and there could easily be other souls matching that description nearby. Magic could … Continue reading A Perfect Spring Day
Spring Ramble
It has become warmer and stopped raining so I wanted to get out and take a walk. The cell phone, when I found it, had died and my first thought was that I should stay home so I wouldn't risk missing a call from one of the kids' schools. Then I asked myself if there … Continue reading Spring Ramble
On A Good Day 