It was time well spent, Alvaro. I learned more in the time it took me to read your piece, than I believe I did for the remainder of my day. My father, in his last stage of life, used to say that the years flew by, and the minutes crawled. We spend our busiest years, speeding down the road of life, making plans for the future. Now I am retired, and I make a conscious effort to spend time doing activities that keep me engaged with the outside world, and making sure I have plenty of quiet time, to relax and reflect on my day. Thank you for reminding me to take time to journal. I haven't done that, consistently, for a while. Great piece!
What you share about your father is so true, sometimes time seems to pass in such different ways at every stage of our lives. It's so dmirable that you are seeking a balance between staying connected to the world and reserving those quiet moments.
It's really inspiring to me and makes me value time even more.
At 75, I've come to appreciate the little things about my little world inside the fence. How the flowers are rejuvenating in the cooler air of autumn after the searing, dealy heat of summer. How a bunny has nipped off the snapdragons blooms that we just planted a few days ago. The fact that the toads that have taken up residence in the sprinkler control box are still with us, hunting the bugs along with the lizards that steward our gardens. It's a microscopic world, but I love every day I see new things going on.
Your comment has been tremendously inspiring to me, truly. As a nature lover, I think I can recommend a book that speaks to exactly what you are talking about: “The Forest Unseen: A Year's Watch in Nature”.
It is a book that recounts the small observations made in his diary by a biologist who spends a year observing the forest.
I love to perceive the small details of nature and, in general, of life.
We also enjoy riding through familiar place close to home and spotting the changes during the year. Of course, these observations are made from a vehicle moving 65-mph, hardly a detailed watch. But it's fun and intriguing too. Next weekend, though, after we get the Jeep out of the shop, I'm goading Jeff to drive into our desert here to see what's new. One spring a year or so ago, we ventured out there to see the "super-bloom" of buckwheat and other wildflowers. It was spectacular. Time to see what it all looks like in autumn.
Thanks for the recommendation. I'll check out The Forest Unseen."
I love the adventures you have recounted Sue! I too love to venture into the countryside and see how the passage of time changes the landscape. I recently bought some binoculars so I can watch the wildlife too. For now I've been watching mountain goats on the Spanish peaks. I love exploring nature with friends :)
It was time well spent, Alvaro. I learned more in the time it took me to read your piece, than I believe I did for the remainder of my day. My father, in his last stage of life, used to say that the years flew by, and the minutes crawled. We spend our busiest years, speeding down the road of life, making plans for the future. Now I am retired, and I make a conscious effort to spend time doing activities that keep me engaged with the outside world, and making sure I have plenty of quiet time, to relax and reflect on my day. Thank you for reminding me to take time to journal. I haven't done that, consistently, for a while. Great piece!
What you share about your father is so true, sometimes time seems to pass in such different ways at every stage of our lives. It's so dmirable that you are seeking a balance between staying connected to the world and reserving those quiet moments.
It's really inspiring to me and makes me value time even more.
Thank you, Alvaro. I have lost my father, but I seek to hang onto the lessons he had no idea he taught to me.
At 75, I've come to appreciate the little things about my little world inside the fence. How the flowers are rejuvenating in the cooler air of autumn after the searing, dealy heat of summer. How a bunny has nipped off the snapdragons blooms that we just planted a few days ago. The fact that the toads that have taken up residence in the sprinkler control box are still with us, hunting the bugs along with the lizards that steward our gardens. It's a microscopic world, but I love every day I see new things going on.
Wow Sue!
Your comment has been tremendously inspiring to me, truly. As a nature lover, I think I can recommend a book that speaks to exactly what you are talking about: “The Forest Unseen: A Year's Watch in Nature”.
It is a book that recounts the small observations made in his diary by a biologist who spends a year observing the forest.
I love to perceive the small details of nature and, in general, of life.
We also enjoy riding through familiar place close to home and spotting the changes during the year. Of course, these observations are made from a vehicle moving 65-mph, hardly a detailed watch. But it's fun and intriguing too. Next weekend, though, after we get the Jeep out of the shop, I'm goading Jeff to drive into our desert here to see what's new. One spring a year or so ago, we ventured out there to see the "super-bloom" of buckwheat and other wildflowers. It was spectacular. Time to see what it all looks like in autumn.
Thanks for the recommendation. I'll check out The Forest Unseen."
I love the adventures you have recounted Sue! I too love to venture into the countryside and see how the passage of time changes the landscape. I recently bought some binoculars so I can watch the wildlife too. For now I've been watching mountain goats on the Spanish peaks. I love exploring nature with friends :)
There's no better tonic, is there?