A Walk in the Woods | Pretty Handy Girl
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A Walk in the Woods

A Walk in the Woods | Pretty Handy Girl

Last week I waved goodbye to my son as he hopped onto the school bus. As I walked back toward our house I began ruminating on why I’d been feeling low and irritable. Usually the cause is because I’ve been working too hard or spending excess time taking care of the family’s needs. I knew the main reason was the “me time” tank was running on empty.

A Walk in the Woods | Pretty Handy Girl

A Walk in the Woods | Pretty Handy Girl

As I neared our driveway I admired the sun streaming through the trees.

A Walk in the Woods | Pretty Handy Girl

A Walk in the Woods | Pretty Handy Girl

Suddenly I knew I had to pull on my rain boots and go for a walk in the woods.

A Walk in the Woods | Pretty Handy Girl

The air was crisp and clear. Dew still clung to the bushes and flowers.

A Walk in the Woods | Pretty Handy Girl

For the morning I would just wander and admire. No projects, no writing, no updates on social media, and no Facebook perusing. Just me, Nature, and anything she put in my path.

A Walk in the Woods | Pretty Handy Girl

A Walk in the Woods | Pretty Handy Girl

A slight breeze whispered in the leaves and dropped a single dew drop on my nose.

A Walk in the Woods | Pretty Handy Girl

The birds were chirping their gossipy songs to one another. Underfoot, the crunch of acorns crackled as my feet slipped and rolled over the bumper crop of acorns. I maintained my balance and walked through our back gate into the woods.

A Walk in the Woods | Pretty Handy Girl

The scenery was truly inspiring as the sun shown through the trees and highlighted the changing leaves.

A Walk in the Woods | Pretty Handy Girl

A Walk in the Woods | Pretty Handy Girl

I carefully stepped around wild ferns and pricker bushes.

A Walk in the Woods | Pretty Handy Girl

I meandered over the soft forest floor toward the creek beyond our property line.

A Walk in the Woods | Pretty Handy Girl

I noticed several animal tracks and knew they had been there earlier that morning for a cool drink and maybe a meal.

raccoon-track

Lichen and moss wrapped around trees and branches as if coating them with a warm sweater in anticipation of cold weather.

A Walk in the Woods | Pretty Handy Girl

A Walk in the Woods | Pretty Handy Girl

A Walk in the Woods | Pretty Handy Girl

As I walked back home, I noticed the sun had begun to rise in the sky and the dew had disappeared.

A Walk in the Woods | Pretty Handy Girl

A Walk in the Woods | Pretty Handy Girl

Our beauty berry bush was bursting with color. Soon it will lose its leaves and the berries will shrivel.

A Walk in the Woods | Pretty Handy Girl

I said goodbye to my blue hydrangeas a few months ago. They have since turned a beautiful green and magenta color. Once again, I’ll fill a vase with clippings to enjoy through the winter. I’ll miss the colorful landscape in a few months, but know it will be back with new shoots and flowers come spring.

A Walk in the Woods | Pretty Handy Girl

From now on, every time I get in a funk I’m going to pull on my boots and go for a walk in the woods.

A Walk in the Woods | Pretty Handy Girl

How about you? What do you do to fill your tank?

PHGFancySign

15 replies
  1. Erika Pieu
    Erika Pieu says:

    I do precisely what you do! What’s more, not that distant! Neuse River runs simply past my back yard and the 4-wheeler have influenced a private waterway to walk that I’ve delighted in for the 5 years I’ve lived in Knight dale. I’ll in the end purchase a house, however I beyond any doubt do love where I live right at this point!!

    Reply
  2. Candyce Blodgett
    Candyce Blodgett says:

    I do exactly what you do! And not that far away! Neuse River runs just past my back yard and the 4-wheelers have made a private river walk that I’ve enjoyed for the 5 years I’ve lived in Knightdale. I’ll eventually buy a house, but I sure do love where I live right now!! 🙂

    Reply
  3. Michele G
    Michele G says:

    Thank you for the “me time” reminder. When I need to recharge my batteries, I go walk in the beach and collect some sea glass or shells. Simply being quiet and paying attention to nature. Is what does it for me. Oh, and simply watching the clouds too.

    Reply
  4. Nancy W
    Nancy W says:

    Thanks for taking the pics, they are lovely, and I felt much more relaxed after “going” on the walk with you. Nothing like a bit of nature to make us feel better, a walk on the trails with the dog always does it for me.

    Reply
  5. Karen Marie Kedzuch
    Karen Marie Kedzuch says:

    Brittany,
    Your post reminds me how important the small yet giant moments need to fill your life.
    Thank you for sharing your walk through the woods. Your photography made me feel like I went quietly on your journey.
    Happy Refreshing,
    Karen Marie

    Reply

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