I took a walk along a woodland trail recently. The steady ka-kish ka-kish of my boots displacing newly fallen leaves alerted the wildlife that an intruder was nearing. Birds tweeted minimal alarms and flitted to higher branches. A suspicious owl took wing to another tree to get a better look at me. Squirrels lifted their heads from acorn chewing and peered silently as I ambled by; then the tenants of the wood decided that I posed no real threat and continued about their day. When I’m hunting I am much stealthier in my movement. This day though, I was in the woods to connect.
I have walked the woods in solitude since I was a small boy. I was fortunate to have relatives on farms all through a little Kentucky valley. One little farm after another. I could walk or ride horse-back for hours and never leave family property. I have always felt the most alive, and at a natural peace, when I’m in the presence of Mother Nature.
The smell of the woods, of the tree bark, plants, even the decay of leaf and limb, is to me the scented candle of nature. There is a primal, intuitive part of me that the aroma awakens. I feel life animate from every growing thing, from every rock. When I hear the sounds of the woodland residents, the gurgle of creek water over stones, and the wind in the pines, the cacophony of daily living is washed away. I hear instead the voice of the Creator.
Over two thousand years ago King David penned “When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars that thou hast ordained, what is man that thou art mindful of him?” I see in everything God has wrought in nature a strict adherence to his plan for them. Would that man was so obedient. Like the King, in the woods I am reminded of the smallness of my place in this universe. I purpose to become better connected with His creation and with Him. I long to be like the nature around me there; steadfast in the place created for me.
In the woods I am reminded that I need to be living up to my responsibility, as a good steward of all I have been given.
November 2011
About This Blog
- I have loved things Country and Western all of my life. I have loved the ranches and farms, the work, the fields, the barns, livestock, and the food. I was born and raised in Kentucky where I learned to ride and care for horses. Most of my family lived on farms and/or were livestock producers. I have raised various livestock and poultry over the years.I have sold livestock feed and minerals in two states. My big hats and boots are only an outward manifestation of the country life I hold dear to my heart. With the help of rhyme or short story, in recipes or photos, I make an effort in this blog to put into words my day to day observations of all things rural; the things that I see and hear, from under my hat. All poems and short stories, unless noted otherwise, are authored by me. I hope you enjoy following along.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please feel free to comment on any posts.