Being Outdoors July 10, 2011

Why do I feel such a connection to the great outdoors? I have thought about this for a while (not procrastinating, just percolating ideas in the brain) and I have yet to come up with a single answer. I remember as a kid, that we used to go walking alot, so I suppose that is part of it. Also, there was a small creek not far from my house and I used to go there, just to see what I could see. I recall finding turtles and frogs and crawdads, but it wasn't just about finding critters. When I was there by myself, I felt a sense of peace and belonging. I still feel that way today, when I am surrounded by nature. I look up at towering trees and I just know that this is where I need to be. The colors, patterns and textures of nature never cease to amaze me. I have learned to look for the little details and remember them always. For a while we lived  in Florida, where there is a grasshopper that looks like something prehistoric. It is twice the size of the ones here, and very colorful. It heard it is called a Georgia thumper, probably because it thumps when it lands. I recall seeing the web of a large, multicolored garden spider glistening with the morning dew. I am not the  biggest fan of spiders, but this one was truly beautiful. I have taken pictures of the frost sparkling on grass and tree branches in the early morning light, while waiting for that ever elusive deer to show up. I know the ice storm of 2007 did a lot of damage and affected a lot of people's lives, mine included. But some of the most beautiful pictures I have ever seen were of this storm. Nature can be very destructive, but always seems to leave something beautiful behind. I truly enjoy living in the Missouri  Ozarks, but I would also like to travel the country and perhaps the world to see all the wonders of nature.