4.3.14 Developing A Sense of Place

     Now that there is a path at least into the woods , instead of struggling through prickly grabbing vines and thorns, the ease of deciding to take a non-hungry-sick- ticks- in-field walk is so simple . Out the back door with ball in his mouth, Dante knows the way we have set, and we wander down the foothill toward animal pathways, observing the arrival of ducks on the melting outwaters, as I stand, listening and watching the tick laden lands far below . 

     I imagine all the various turtles waking from their deep mud underwater sleep , knowing that soon enough, they will be basking in the hot summer sun, strewn upon fallen trees that stretch out over the waters. That subtle sound as they detect your approach, and slip quietly into the waters.
Soon enough many types of duck and geese and fox and coyote , as well as skunk, possum and raccoon, will be tending to their offspring, just as that Ruffed Grouse is to their one survivor of their clutch.
     

Come warmer weather, the Fisher Cats may grace our tall old Maples in hot evenings, screeching their way to a good meal for their own young ones.

Dante came upon someone's recent urine, still wet upon a log, sniffing with great interest, as we both leaned down to take a curious look. He is increasingly aware of the fact that he lives somewhere with many neighbors, and less alarmed by the sights and sounds of forest life.
     More and more small animals move swiftly to elude his surprising hunting abilities , as we make our way into the woods. Helpfully, the forest floor is covered with dry , noisy dead leaves, so our approach is not one of great stealth.
     Being outside daily wherever we live- downtown Baltimore, or a New England woods, grows such a familiarity and sense of place so quickly, like lunching with a particularly interesting co-worker each day. 

     Going round where we live keeps us in the loop of seasonal change and the passage of time and days of our lives , as our very cells notice and respond to each subtle change in light, temperature, and seasonal shift .
     It truly is a profound way of ensuring that we don't end up wondering where that month or that part of our life 'went'. Because there is no question . We were present for each and every day.