January 15

In 1857 Thoreau writes:

We are ordinarily in a state of desperation; such is our life ... But let us hear a strain of music, we are at once advertised of a life no man has told us of. Suppose I try to describe faithfully the prospect which a strain of music exhibits to me. The field of my life becomes a boundless plain, glorious to tread, with no death or disappointment at the end of it. All meanness and trivialness disappear. I become adequate to any deed. No particulars survive this expansion; persons do not survive it. In the light of this strain there is no thou nor I. We are actually above ourselves.

I wonder what strain he was listening to?

One morning I was feeling low and the song "Bare Necessities" starting playing on the radio. Such a silly song but it really has a lot to say. I ended up laughing when it was over and wondered what I was so bothered about earlier. I suppose that is what Thoreau is getting at.

I recently listened to the audio book "Life" by Keith Richards, very entertaining and informative. However, whenever I listen to the Rolling Stones now the songs have completely new meaning. Learning the history of their lives and how songs came to be gives them this entirely new meaning and enjoyment. A bit like hearing them for the first time.

I digress, back to Thoreau's journal entry, I love the last part "we are above ourselves." That is what really touched me reading this this morning.

New Year's Day 2011

1.1.11
Went to Walden for the new year day hike. Attempted to take pictures of living historian Richard Smith, but he proved to be too busy greeting "souls" at the replica house at Walden Pond State Reservation. Smith often portrays Henry David Thoreau, transcendentalist, writer, poet, environmentalist, and of course-- lover of nature!

The event was very successful, although not conducive to one who wants to enjoy the solitude of nature. The temperature an unusual balmy 50 degrees more than likely had a great deal to do with the popularity of the event. I did manage a few shots of the pond with amazing ice floes. Young children were standing and jumping on the ice testing it's strength. A group of "polar bear" participants broke through the ice and jumped into the icy Walden waters. Busy, crowded day, but any day at Walden Pond is a great day to me.

A young woman gave me the sweetest compliment as I waited for the hike to begin, she approached me and said "you are just gorgeous!" At first it shocked and surprised me, because I don't see myself as one anyone notices, let alone to the point I would affect them in such a way. After I recovered I told her it was the sweetest thing anyone ever said to me. It's really something when someone takes the time to compliment others.

Solstice Walk

Happy Solstice! 

I no longer celebrate Christmas. It never was one of my favorite holidays anyway. The stress of buying presents for someone you really barely know. Fighting crowds of people, cutting trees, buying decorations only to find at the last moment one light is burned out, so you have to head out into the insanity to purchase, of possible, a whole new strand. How does this relate to Christ's birth?

My sister loved this holiday. Last Christmas she passed just days before the holiday. I participated in it for her. She loved the shopping and craziness. I loved the joy it brought her. Shopping with her was an experience all in itself. She loved it. She would shop all day, only to go back after dinner to the stores that remained open all night. Not sure what the joy in that was, but she loved it. She accepted my idiosyncrasies, so I'll accept hers. And, also, I loved being with her. With her gone what little meaning it had no longer remains. It had no meaning before she passed, and I told her so. So, I always found it interesting, ironic I guess that she passed away on the year I decided I had had enough. 

I decided last year I would start celebrating the solstice. With her death and all the other craziness it never happened. Today was my first true solstice celebration. I woke up with a terrible headache, a bit depressed, sad, and a general feeling of blah. I wanted to just pull the covers over my head and pass the day wallowing in self-pity, but the voices in my head kept telling me to get up and out. So I showered and dressed, grabbed my camera and headed out. On the way out of the condo door I met a neighbor; a very nice man. Chatting with a happy person changed my mood and state of mind. I sometimes wonder if I should go back and tell someone how they changed my thinking and mood, my day in general. I stepped outside and the blue sky and brisk air made me feel a bit more alive. I headed to the pond.

My favorite place in the world is Walden Pond. Perhaps it has so much meaning because I studied Thoreau before ever setting foot on the shores of Walden Pond and looking into the exquisite colors of the pond waters. I was in love with the place instantly. I still remember the first time, like it was yesterday. Now, for me, it has magical powers, a draw, a feeling of comfort and awe. My daughter-in-law calls it my pond. Whenever I am in a funk it makes me feel better. My spirits are lifted. A man who works at the pond says it's the center of the universe. I love that description. 

I arrived at the pond about mid-day. There is a solstice walk planned, but I decided to do my own walk instead. My original plan was to meet up and do the walk, but once there I felt I wanted to be alone and do my own thing. I stopped by the replica and listened to the ranger talk about Thoreau, and then headed to the pond. I never walk the pond path much anymore. I always head to the other trails. There I rarely see other human visitors and I like it that way. I walked up to Ridge Path and along Weyman Meadow being the first to disturb the snow on those paths. I stopped by the ruins for a moment, said hello to Henry, and headed up to Bean Field Road. I walked out to Route 2 to get a shot of the reservation sign covered in snow then headed back to Old County Road. I came to fork in the road and decided to send someone I was thinking about an email, yes I know an odd thing to do out in nature, but I did it anyway. When I turned around I was staring into the huge eyes of a doe. I think we were in awe of one another, neither of us moved. We just marveled at one another. Neither of us quite sure what to do. 

I remembered that eye contact with an animal is confrontational, so I looked away. She headed into the trees. I found her with another doe they both looked at me curiously, although her friend decided to take off right quickly, but she stood there again looking at me as I popped off a few frames. She seemed very curious. She began to walk toward me, but I told her "no-no sweetie don't get too close to humans they aren't all as innocent as me." She began to head toward me so I left not wanting her to befriend a human. As much as I would love that. Not a healthy occupation for her. I turned back to absorb that moment one more time and saw her standing in the path watching me. How unusual. How sweet. And very touching. Like we had this communication of sorts. Like she knew I needed a friend at that moment.

I continued along the path eventually coming back to the pond path where I encountered the ranger giving an interpretive walk so I joined in. We walked along the path discussing Thoreau, the pond and nature. Visiting the site of the cabin he lived in for two years, two months and two days beginning in 1845. When we reached Thoreau Cove we stopped to enjoy the sun warming the bridge and Weyman's meadow. We had a quiet moment that I dedicated to Virginia. It was a beautiful moment. We continued to the beach where we parted ways. I thanked her and told her how much I appreciated the walk and discussion. It was a perfect solstice! 

When I returned to my car a feather was stuck in my windshield wiper. Not sure how it managed to get there. Did some one put it there? How did it come to land on my car right in front of me as I sat in the drivers seat? However it arrived there it seemed to be another sign. Now if I could only figure out what that sign means….

The coming of winter

"Nature now, like an athlete, begins to strip herself in earnest for her contest with her great antagonist, Winter. In the bare trees and twigs what a display of muscle!" HDT

This quote comes from the "Blog of Henry David Thoreau" this morning. What a beautiful illustration of nature at this moment in time. Thoreau observes nature in the most passionate, artistic way. Walking through the Walden woods so many times, observing the trees, a wonder arises as to what he saw and thought as he sauntered on his daily walks. There is a connection and a feeling of being alive walking those trails. Comfort in the season of comfort.

Autumn is much like a dance or ball, a formal when the trees are dressed up and beautiful, saying "look at me." It is a time when nature is at its best, in its glory. And when the sun reflects on the leaves there is that glistening that makes you smile, because it is so beautiful. Like sequins, or jewels sparkling under the lights as the wind blows, and there is that glimmer that awakens your senses. It reaches down inside you and you feel alive. Autumn is so alive.  The spirit of nature dancing with your spirit. That is the most extraordinary sensation. Then nature slowly disrobes revealing all of her self to you; inviting you to breathe in her energy, to become alive and whole. It's beautiful how Thoreau sees muscle and beauty and not imperfection. 

Crimson

Running hasn't been very consistent lately, however, I have been observing this one tree when I do get out and run. This morning it was a beautiful crimson red. It is so deep and vibrant it just awakens every cell. You feel alive. It is so vibrant you can see it pulsing, vibrating, throbbing, keeping rhythm to some beautiful aria in nature.

I have been re-reading, as I do every autumn Thoreau's "Autumnal Tints." Every time I read it I pick up something new. It is so beautifully written. He observed, and seemingly absorbed everything he saw or touched. What stuck with me this morning as I was running down my suburban street was how he described the oldest leaves turning first, the top usually the last. This tree is nearly all red except for the top branches. Also his observation of red leaves how they grab your attention, standing out with their vibrant stimulating presence.

I love running in the fall, not only are the temperatures perfect, but the colors and smells and feel of the air is so comforting. I can't wait for Halloween, even though I won't be with my girl I love spending All Hallows Eve with her. I want to carve pumpkins. I love carving pumpkins. There is nothing like the smell of a cut pumpkin digging into it's slimy body, pulling all the innards out, reminds me of Thoreau pulling out the marrow, and the smell of my hands when I'm finished.

"I seem to be more constantly merged in nature; my intellectual life is more obedient to nature than formerly ..." HDT 10/12/1851

"Men Say They Know Many Things" by Henry David Thoreau

Men say they know many things;

But lo! they have taken wings, —
The arts and sciences,
And a thousand appliances;
The wind that blows
Is all that any body knows.