All that there is

There is one element in our lives that remains the elusive, the memorable and the joyful purpose. Sometimes we find and lose it. Sometimes we hanker for it. Sometimes we wait for it. Sometimes we give up entirely. And then when we see it, we recognise it instantly.

 Photo copyright SvD.

Stairway to heaven

These steps in the woods are notorious. Known as the Hundred Steps (98, to be exact) they are extremely steep and the handrail is so wobbly, well, I wouldn't bother to even hold on to it. The dog walkers know to avoid these steps when it rains as a tumble down will surely result in something broken. There is a gentleman who walks his very small hound and who I see occasionally. He has Parkinsons Disease and his doctor encouraged him to walk as much as possible as it lessens the effects of that terrible illness (of which my own papa died). I've often remonstrated with the gentleman for going down those steps- it's a lonely spot and if he falls he could be lost for quite a while. I think he has some sort of 'que sera' attitude where when one gets to his stage in nearing the pearly gates, it doesn't matter all that much what happens anymore. I saw him again a few days ago- the disease has taken a strong hold and he's lost the ability to swallow, his clothes were unkempt, he hadn't shaved. But he's still walking with his little dog. And still taking his chances with that stairway to the next phase.

Photo copyright SvD.

Birds don't worry

There is something in the Bible about God providing for the birds despite their doing nothing to sow or reap their food, yet it is always provided for them. The story comes to mind as a good friend is always mentioning it when she peeks into her bank account (and then shrieks). I was at a luncheon the other day with some very well-off folk (or seemingly) and one gentleman said he never looks at his bank balance because he would get too depressed.  And this despite a sumptuous lifestyle.

I actually require very little and hanker for a pared-down and really simple existence. There was a time I had thousands of pounds worth of diamond jewellery and never looked at my bank account because I didn't need to. Money is an insidious thing- it ruins lives, it damages relationships and it brings out the worst in people. And it really doesn't make you happy - that remains the one thing that money simply cannot buy. Some of the most contented moments in my life involve wandering in nature and communing with the gods/spirits/myself.

In the woods today, the birds were spoiled for choice. The season of flowers is over and the seeds have been scattered to fall where they may. The ground in the woods is literally carpeted with seeds. Not all of these will become strong, strapping trees- many will end up as food for the birds.

Photos copyright SvD.

Modern art = a great place to sink loads of cash

"This canvas of blue represents the infinite and the silence within one's soul. The world-famous artist has sought to depict the state of inner peace deep inside the sanctity of her very being. Critics have hailed this depiction of the artist's hard-won victory over a tormented childhood, many, many tormented love affairs, a tormented relationship with her parents, a tormented marriage, and being tormented by her offspring since their births.  The canvas sold for £1trillion at auction after frenetic bidding and almost £900billion above the reserve. The anonymous buyer has not as yet been identified. Just who is the lucky new owner of what critics have called 'a gargantuan masterpiece'?"

(It's actually a photo I took of the sky today.)

Photo copyright SvD.

A work of art

The hound was turning into a bronze statue today in the sun...(Labs dislike the heat intensely as they are snow dogs).

Photos copyright SvD.

Things I saw in the woods today, part 25

This is the first fruit of the year- a damson. Spring has now accomplished what she had planned and has left to continue her journey. Summer is in full swing and until Autumn arrives, takes her place as  the queen who must be obeyed.

There are many pathways throughout the woods and this one is favoured by the horses who gallop along oblivious to the rest of us- or rather their owners are. If a horse comes galloping along, the correct course of action is to fling oneself into the undergrowth usually only with seconds to spare. Horses' legs are particularly deadly and can kill a hound outright. My hound knows the dangers and permits me to scream at him and pull him out of the way of the marauding horsey.  This path is lined with cow parsley- if you recall, identical to the deadly hemlock. Here is the cow parsley flowering in all its glory. Paths always lead somewhere- in this case to a pretty meadow.

Photos copyright SvD.

Strange objects in the sky

Here's me playing with a UFO (ha, ha).

It's actually the seed of the maple tree.

Photo copyright SvD.