Primitive Mind

We have had a very snowy winter so far!  I love the snow.  I always look forward to long explorations in the woods with the snow settling down around me.  There exists something almost magical about the sound absorbing qualities of snow and the peace that usually comes with the white of winter.  Late at night all that can be heard is the crunching of snow beneath your feet as you walk and look at the stars or ponder the way the light refracts off the falling snowflakes.  I have yet to don my fur suit this year but soon I will be out sneaking among the trees and brush tracking animals and whatever else catches my attention. I have been catching up on studying out of some field guides and look forward to reacquainting myself with the plants, wildlife and trees of this area.  

A CHALLENGE TO ALL; Take a walk at night during the snowy months! Explore a new area following the tracks of animals and see where they lead you and what they have to teach. Nature brings clarity to all aspects of the participant's life.  Will you do that?   

On Friday and Saturday I was able to go camping with the youth of my church. The temperature was in the mid thirties and we had a light drizzle every so often. I didn't attempt to practice any outdoor skills using primitive techniques, because I was in charge of the whole event and knew going into this that time would not be on my side. I was the first to the site and had to shovel some paths and start the fire as well as set up a tent for me to stay in. The boys stayed in a large canvas military tent which was on the site ready to go. Before anyone arrived I was able to get away and take a walk across the frozen lake and I explored along the lakes perimeter. I found an old attempt at a log cabin. Nature brings all things back to her and the cabin was already starting to return to the earth that the cabin logs had grown from. It is always interesting to contemplate who had been there and had desired to dwell and how time and nature had other plans.
I had a great time with my brother who came out, and we snowboarded and sledded with the youth among the trees on a large hill overlooking the campsite. I noticed the hill behind where we would start our runs and could see the snow and leaves all torn up from deer. I saw a few turkey tracks and plenty of squirrels who had taken advantage of the above freezing days to gather and forage. I was glad simply to be outdoors and to be able to contemplate my life. I go back to school tomorrow and in doing so will find limited opportunity to be outdoors, which is understandable but saddens me. The good news is that nature will always receive us when we do return home.