Hold on to the Ephemeral

Last year around this time, I found a butterfly-shaped green leaf cluster on the ground alongside the backyard creek. And then I found another nearby. The more I searched, the more I found. As it was early Spring I waited and watched for days, hoping to see what kind of flower this new find would produce. Those leaves kept getting bigger, but no flowers emerged. One cluster held a tiny pod I was sure held the ingredients for perfect petals. But nothing happened. An Internet search showed a picture of a pristine little white flower unfurling, with a caption that read, "One of the Spring Ephemerals." A couple clicks later I learned the meaning of ephemeral: short-lived; lasting only a day or so. Ah, so I had somehow missed the blooming of that mysterious plant called the Bloodroot.

My son turned three months old last week. Every week I see something new and exciting when I look into his eyes. I wonder sometimes how I can hold on to the ephemeral beauty I see before me. He is in this stage now that if he catches a glimpse of himself in the mirror he grins the most sincere grin I can imagine. I have been visiting the bathroom mirror a lot lately with him. I can't help it. I want to hold on to these moments, for I know they will pass. But of course some of them might return.

And so I returned to the creekside a little earlier this spring, before the green clustered leaves emerged. I watched for three weeks and finally last week I got my reward. The Bloodroots bloomed one cool morning and soaked up the afternoon sun. I was pleased to witness their day in the sun.

Enjoy What We Have

Last week we learned that one of our favorite local hiking trails, previously designated to be replaced by a highway bypass, is now going to be preserved as a natural area! We are relieved, perhaps selfishly, but none the less relieved.

Walking down the "Old Speedway" trails on a quiet afternoon, searching the ground for signs of early spring, is a natural tonic. Hearing nothing but the breeze through the trees or the faint laughter of exploring children is preservation of the soul. We are thankful.

The trail leads down to a bend in the Eno River beneath a large Beech tree. Here, another type of preservation is in progress. In this case, both the antagonist and victim is nature, for the Beech is a target of the beaver. Another player in this drama is the river itself, gnawing, year after year, flood after flood, at the soil and root upholding the big Beech. The humans are trying to help out here, with a wire beaver barrier wrapped around the tree trunk. It seems to be working. But the river is still doing its job. One day, I know the Beech will fall into the river and the beaver will get a nice surprise. Until then, we do what we can and enjoy what we have.

And so I think the same is true for "The Old Speedway Trails." For now, we do what we can and enjoy what we have. Remember to enjoy what we have!

Along a Path of Leaves

Ah, the sun felt good this weekend. We went for a hike with little Grayson. He bobbed quietly on my chest, in and out of sleep. I shielded his face whenever the trail turned directly into the sun. As we walked, we brushed through the dry leaves. I imagined Grayson listening to the rhythmic swishing; lulled by the rustling heartbeat. I don't know what he sensed, but I sensed he liked it.

Ever wonder what you would do if you lost the ability to do the things you love to do? I think about this often. Call it self-preservation, call it paranoia. I call it planning ahead and keeping my options open...having a plan B.

Well, as we were walking today, and I was thinking about Grayson and his developing senses, I imagined what I would do in nature without my full use of my own senses. Specifically I thought about eyesight, or rather the lack of sight, and how my great appreciation for the beauty of our natural world would be significantly altered. How would I deal? Grayson helped me understand that I would simply trust in someone else to lead me along a path of leaves. I would bask in the sunlight and listen to the foot scrapes. I would thank the trees for their gifts.

With Eyes Closed

I've been watching the sun a little closer. Lately it always seems to be in my little baby's eyes when we go out. Grayson jerks his head clumsily, but effectively, away from those screaming beams of light while I shuffle my feet and pirouette into the shadows. Speaking of shadows, I think Grayson is already looking ahead to Spring when the leaves emerge and the trees return their sheltering shade.
For now we stand on the front stoop with our back to the sun embracing its warmth with eyes closed.

A Fresh Perspective

There is a new kid in town! Grayson Eno Delisle was born December 21, 2009. Winter Solstice. I haven’t written much in this blog the past few months since our focus has been more internal. Now that Grayson is on the outside, I find myself imagining a fresh new perspective.

When it comes to nature and the out-of-doors, I tend to have a childlike view of things, full of curiosity, a bit of whimsy, and, inevitably, some silly interplay. I’m looking forward to sharing this view with Grayson, while also discovering what he sees when he’s outside.

A Spider-Web Gauntlet

We took a quiet, mid-morning walk on Saturday, along the somewhat overgrown logging roads of a small Duke Forest Tract. This was one of those walks intended primarily for exercise. But if you only want exercise, you don’t go to the woods, you go to the track. And so, choosing the woods, we knew we would get more than just exercise.

The trail ended up being more of a spider-web gauntlet than a clear path through the trees. In warm seasons, you always prepare for spider webs on trails, though this day held more webs than could be imagined…or seen. Those unseen webs were the spoilers. In addition to flies, moths, and humans, those webs catch and hold sunlight suspended in air. But when sunlight hides behind clouds or becomes obscured by the shadow of a leafy canopy, the webs disappear. And that is when you find yourself surprisingly face first in the sticky mess…repeatedly.

Heather found, that by walking directly behind me, the webs would cease to entangle her. Amazing. Later on, I also discovered that when we simply swapped leads, I too could magically elude the spider web snares. It’s a funny thing how one’s depth perception, ocular focus, and awareness affects one’s ability to dodge the traps. For example: I think I see a web about 10 feet in front of me, and it looks to be safely overhead…but then I see a turkey feather on the ground and after picking it up and excitedly displaying it to Heather…WHAM!, I’m webfaced. Or as I notice that Heather is about to catch one at shin level, I gallantly alert her to it by pointing down; then WHAM!, I’m webfaced again.

Gradually, our highly evolved brains outsmarted the spiders’ and we walked in relative comfort and certainty. We were able to eventually even appreciate the spiders for their beauty and craft…despite the periodic itching followed by the familiar question “is there a spider on my back?”






"Is there a spider on my back?"

Garden update

I'm feeling pretty good about the garden so far this season. It was wet early, which got things off to a good start. The last couple weeks it got hot and dried out so I've been watering. Bugs and critters haven't been too bad yet. I pulled most of the weeds a couple weeks ago and they haven't come back yet.

Today a cool front moved through and dropped rain and temperatures. It was a lovely gray day!