A Mending Marshland

A short road trip to Juicy Steak - 04/06/2022

Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus)

After a particularly heartbreaking event I needed to go have a little dirty fun. After about an hour’s drive across the scenic ridge lines I made my way down a 4x4 trail along the Lower Wisconsin Riverway. Most of the mud holes were dried out, but I found a few in which I allowed the 5-year-old-ME to enjoy himself as I splashed my way through.

Eventually I came to some flowing water below a long beaver dam, where I parked. I took some time to simply stand in place, close to the beavers’ construct watching the wildlife. I would then walk for a few steps and then pause for long periods. In this way the residents of this biome didn’t seem to notice me, except for the geese. I had to take extra steps to keep them from honking and calling out alarms.

Canada goose (Branta canadensis)

When I am in natural settings it doesn’t take long for me to be completely in the moment. On the daily I often get lost in thoughts as I sketch out creative projects, mull over dark matters both my own and the world’s, or talk to the ghosts of my past. I exist in a more complete form when I am silently moving along, listening and being aware of not only my surroundings, but of my own mind and body.

Yellow-rumped "Myrtle" warbler (Setophaga coronata coronata)

I don’t go to forget or run away from my pain, I go to see who I am without it for a few brief moments. It strengthens me and I find it carries over into the rest of my life. It heals me.

When I caught this out of the corner of my eye I reacted like it was a giant spider. LOL