nature walks

Give yourself permission; enjoy nature, explore and create.

/ Penny L Howe / 31 Comments

Credit line and copyright, by Schick, 2013

“Hello Mr. Bee! Whatcha’ doing?”
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I slept in this morning (yes!). I’ve had a lot going on recently, nothing negative, just busy. But I haven’t been sleeping well. I’m rather a nut about staying balanced in my life so I’ve been frustrated over my inability to sleep soundly lately.

I did all the “tried and true” methods with no success and then a few days ago I sat quietly by myself and considered – everything! And then I moved the things on my agenda aside (those I could) and went completely into artistic mode.

I gave myself permission to enjoy being creative, by first spending some time in the world of nature (maybe not as close up as this amazing photo of a dog and bee (LOL), still I did really immerse myself and then I began to sketch and draw, the results to be shown soon on a forthcoming blog!

And guess what? I am now sleeping like a log. Giving myself over to art and nature and then some private artisitc time did the trick. Helped me balance the rest of my “have-to” activities!

This weekend, give yourself permission to be! Both relaxed and creative. Your mind, body and soul will thank you for it!

Hope you’re enjoying your weekend~

~ Penny

Let Nature in and worries out!

/ Penny L Howe / 27 Comments

wildflowers in nature

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John Muir (1838 – 1914) John of the Mountains: The Unpublished Journals of John Muir, 1938 – is a famous naturalist and author. During his life he became a well know advocate for the preservation of wilderness. His views on nature and his written words can serve as a remind to us of how freeing and uplifting being with nature can be. Today I share some of his words with you.

Written one hundred years ago,

mountains

“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into the trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves – John Muir

forests

“I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found was really going in. – John Muir

bird on branch

“Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.” John Muir

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fun

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Thank you, enjoy your weekend, the closer to nature the better!

~ Penny

plh

Not strangers to each other ~ Not Really!

/ Penny L Howe / 33 Comments

Hi

Hi ~

During the last few months (A very mild winter this year in SE Washington.) I have taken many “nature walks” in several parks located by a magnificent river. One can walk for miles. The parks abound with numerous trees, birds and all manner of wildlife! (No, not the bear, lol – I just like his friendly smile and wave “hello”!)

As you can see, the park is lovely!

As you can see, the park is lovely!

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During my walks one of the unexpected happenings was the numerous greetings of “hello” and “hi” by other walkers strolling, jogging, passing by. Some couples, some with young children in tow and some solo. They came in all shapes, sizes, ethnic backgrounds and ages.

And yes, the walks were also shared with feathered friends, although their hello was more like a "honk"!

And yes, the walks were also shared with feathered friends, although their hello was more like a “honk”!

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It was wonderful. People I didn’t know, enjoying the same view as I and wanting to connect through the universal greeting of “hello“. A stranger saying hello to another stranger. Is it nature’s setting? Does leisure imply “more open”? Is there a mela fluidity with our senses that can be missing in other places?

A busy city

A busy city

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Why does this not happen when one walks down a busy city street or a shopping mall? The pace is, of necessity, different and hectic. And the people are certainly in greater numbers as they go about their business.

Is there a disconnect that happens, and how long is it there for? How long do we stay “closed” and distant from those around us in the artificial environment of a city structure? Of an industrial/technological society?

So many people, together yet separated from one another.

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Well as for me, regardless of where you live and who you are, what you are doing, and why you are doing it, I’d like to say a great big huge, gigantic …

HELLO!!!

Have a great day, thanks for stopping by,

plh

~ Penny