A Walk in the Woods

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

I carefully stepped around wild ferns and pricker bushes.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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