Panhandle Poetry and Other Thoughts

 Things That Make You Go, "Hmmm...."

This morning I spied a duck on our pond.  It is a good way down to the pond and it was impossible for me to make out any detail -- even with the aid of binoculars.  It didn't look like any duck that I was familiar with.

We did a little quick research on the computer, and I still was unsure of what it might have been.  I suppose it will go in my "Hmm..." category for the day.  It was interesting, made me stop and think, but it remains in the unknown category for me.

I find that in a lot of things.  The Internet has made researching the unknown much easier than it once was.  I look up things frequently and often find that my preconceptions needed adjustment.  One of the keys to learning is to realize that what we know may not be accurate and must be refined as additional knowledge is accumulated.  With the duck in question, I can only hope that he returns to give me a better look at some point in the future.

They say that curiosity killed the cat, but I find curiosity to be the fire that kindles learning.  You likely will note in the things I write that I am curious about many subjects.  Sometimes my travels down the trails of trivia border on the ridiculous, but even those things can provide some minor enjoyment.

Yesterday I continued on my current task of cleaning up dead and fallen tree limbs and brush on our place.  The neglect of years created the opportunity for us to acquire this piece of land but also came with the added price of the work necessary to bring it up to our expectations.  Since we are currently not under a burn ban, I am trying to burn as much of the gathered debris as possible.

The photo below is the last of a pile of limbs that were present when we purchased the place.  We have only been out of the burn ban a short time which delayed me in disposing of them.  I took a photo of the fire late yesterday as I sat enjoying gazing into it.  I don't know what it is about a campfire, but most people enjoy gazing into the flames.  This morning as I looked at the photo before posting it here, I noticed that one of the stones bordering it is unique.  I don't know where it came from, but it appears to be a broken piece of statuary.  It's just one of those things that make me go, "Hmmm...."

Mental breaks are as necessary as is exercise.  I have found that the two are related.

I usually get both in physical labor.  Some people like to run, or go to a gym and work out, but I prefer to spend my time outdoors doing something physical.  It doesn't have to be mowing the lawn with a push mower in 95 degree heat, or working on a stretch of fence that needs repair; it can be as simple as sweeping the sidewalk.

The best mental break for me is a walk in the woods.  This time of year it isn't something I normally do because of the extreme heat, but when there is a cool morning and I have the time, there is little that I enjoy more.  Often, especially if I am out early or late in the evening, I will see wildlife.  Sometimes it is deer, or the occasional coyote or, feral hog, but I also enjoy seeing the various birds and listening to the frogs.

For some reason, when I am out and doing something physical, the cares and thoughts of work fade away.  My mind rests -- even more so than with sleep.  The constant background churning that is seeking solution to various challenges seems to fade away and I become more aware of the present.  I focus on the sights and sounds around me and simple actions like where I place my foot to avoid snapping a branch that would frighten away any wildlife that might be in the vicinity.  I focus on becoming part of my surroundings rather than an intruder blundering through.

I think our minds and bodies need the "rest" of physical activity just as much as they need the rest of a good night of sleep.  Without those breaks we lose our edge over time and with the fatigue of constant mental focus, we miss things that should be obvious.  It is amazing how often I return to a focused mental effort after such a break and the solutions appear clearly in my mind.

I have learned that small breaks during the work day aid in maintaining mental clarity.  Sometimes it is a deliberate walk to get a drink of water, or possible to step outside for a moment.  Such breaks help me to stay with a task.  It may seem counterintuitive to some, but the right kind of interruptions at planned intervals can speed the process by giving my mind the breaks it needs.

Give your mind a rest.  Get outside.  Do something physical.

As I drove to work this morning I had the overwhelming sense that I needed to spend some time outdoors today. After the storms which passed through last night, the air had a special quality. The richness and depth of the blue sky was highlighted by the few remnant clouds on the horizon. It called to me.

It was a call -- not for working out in the sun -- for hiking, exploring, soaking in the vibrancy of the day. It has been a long time since I went hiking. Maybe I should head to Palo Duro Canyon and spend some time. I could go out to Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge.

The problem is that my task list is long. It seems that I have allowed the "little things that need done" to accumulate into a lengthy ordeal. If I was to take the afternoon off I would feel guilty if I didn't spend it "checking a few items off" from my list. It would detract from the enjoyment of the day. Or would it? Maybe I should find out.

Instead, I go to the office. I enter into another day of work. Opportunity lost?