A very long walk in the woods...

On Sunday my sister and I were out in the woods, off trail, for 4 1/2 hours.  She was tagging a species of invasive barberries for her research at the arboretum.  I was deep in thought about a number of things.

We played in the woods together (and apart!) during most of our childhood and it was almost like a flashback because we were climbing under, over and through brambles, branches and logs, using muscles that haven't been used in many years!  I thought of a quote by Edward Hoffman that rang so true for me when I first read it: Most transcendent childhood experiences happen in nature.  I remembered my encounter with a stag when I was six years old.

Yet being older now I found myself noticing different sorts things.  My sister is more of naturalist in that she knows all the facts and figures about things I tend to experience on a spiritual, mystical level.  :)  But she knew how awed I was by my recent encounter with a beautiful doe and so pointed out to me deer "nests."  They are little patches of earth they have cleared so they can curl up and lie down touching the earth directly.  I thought of Taikunping's poetry: Blessed be those who tread lightly on Mother Earth's soft skin.  And as I got a lump in my throat I thought of how Stef would understand why I wanted to cry.

And of course I thought about Paul Stamets and his conscious fungal networks, mycelium, the neurological networks of nature, and took note of all the mushrooms going about their business, aware of our footsteps.  It was a day I won't soon forget!

As for today, I woke up to snow!  Joy!!