The Avoca summer house backs into a hill on one side. On the other side, the deck juts into oak tree tops. A friend and I are eye level with squirrels. Equals. As if tree tops are our place as much as theirs. Given a chance though, Nature would push down the house and reclaim the landscape.
I don’t know the deep rhythms of the natural world, but for a few days, I’m immersed. Midwestern summers speak to me. Lush green cornfields exhaling. White daisies, purple crown vetch, and yellow bird’s foot trefoil cascading down hillsides and overflowing ditches. Ponds greening. Humming flies diving toward my head again and again. Gnats’ silent pestering.
At dusk, the day has barely cooled. Humidity blankets everything. The air is still. Near the edge of the gravel road, a doe startles then bounds off through a cornfield. Birds begin their call and response. When evening deepens to inky black, fireflies as bright as falling stars flash: Find me. Find me.
Nature’s abundance and persistence energizes and soothes. I know all is not right with the world, but for the moment it feels like it.
Beautiful writing. I have the same vista from my deck – we call it the ‘squirrel highway.’ Blessed to have this enforced break to think, write and be grateful.
“Squirrel Highway,” what a good name! Thanks for checking out WordSisters!
This is one of my favorites of yours. Lovely, rich and full.
Thank you so much! We’re not traveling but remembering travel. And looking forward to future travels! Hope all is well with you 😎
Thanks for the reminder that nature both energizes and soothes…and that now’s the perfect time to embrace the outdoors.
No doubt you felt that during you fishing trip.