Unsightly? Or gift of nature? It all depends on the eye of the beholder.
Let me share with you some photos I took while walking our farm.
You may call these images eye sores or, in a different frame of mind, texturally appealing.
I live in the country. Manicured lawns and trees pruned to perfection are not part of our habitat.
It’s the survival of the fittest around here, and plants that manage to grow under tough conditions are by far the fittest.
Take these thistles, for instance. They may appear dead to you, but I guarantee they’ll recover as soon as water conditions improve.
Of course, on a working farm, there are many other sights that can appear as eyesores or texturally appealing, depending on the perspective of the observer.
Consider the colorful string used on hay bales and the cut-up tires used to secure the plastic covering the silage pit (corn or oats, depending on the season). And the pipes used for irrigation.
Senses sharpened, here are some of the other impressions I experienced during my walk.
-
Sounds: Birds tweeting in Morse code; the strident kill-dee of Killdeer; the zip-zip of crickets that sound like spinning toys; rustles of unknown animals in bushes and fields (jack rabbits and cotton tails, I hope); a train horn blasting and the hum of wheels on tracks; gunshots (opening day of dove-hunting season); a plane gliding overhead (a lazy sound); my footsteps on dirt and on gravel; an occasional car going by.
-
Smells: Moist dust and eau de manure (doesn’t bother me, I’m a country girl).
-
Feelings: Warm sun on my shoulders and the top of my head; cool breeze on my skin; uneven, solid ground beneath my feet; camera in my hand; overall sense of well-being.
-
Sights I couldn’t catch on film: Dragonflies with morning sun reflecting off their wings, their shadows on the dirt path, camouflaged when they land. Be still, little ones, so I can take your picture.; black birds startling and flying off in kite-like formations; small white butterflies flicking among wildflowers; colonies of ants, coyotes, jackrabbits, raccoon, and quail.
I get some of my best ideas for writing while walking the farm–right around the third mile, when I start to sweat and my monkey brain loses its grip. The imagined barrier between nature and myself fades and my subconscious–the part of me deeper than reason–breaks through. Time to pull out the index cards that I carry in my fanny pack. I can’t write down all the thoughts shooting at me fast enough, thoughts that disappear as fast as they appear, never to be recovered. Thoughts I don’t even consider mine.
I ran wild on the farm as a kid, full of curiosity and awe. As a teen, I traveled greater distances on horseback and on foot, exploring the woods and swimming in the river on the outskirts of our property. Nature made me come alive; it nurtured my creativity; it kept me sane.
Walking the farm. Are the sense impressions crude and unsightly or powerful antidotes to many of the things that ail us today? Guess you know my answer to that.
If you’re interested, there’s a great book about connecting with nature,called Last Child in the Woods, Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder, by Richard Louv.
On the back cover it reads, “Richard Louv directly links the absence of nature in the lives of today’s wired generation to some of the most disturbing childhood trends: the rise in obesity, attention disorders, and depression.”
Just out of curiosity, what is your opinion about exposure to nature?
Is it essential to our physical, mental, and spiritual health?
Is there a practical way to engage with the natural world in your life?
As always, thanks for stopping by,
I love these pics. When you frame something, whether as a photo or in writing, you bring your attention to bear on it, & the beauty of the thing can be made manifest. I especially the colorful hay bale strings. Lovely post.
I love the first photo. It's beautiful.
I absolutely believe a connection with nature is necessary in childhood, Margaret.
I'd be a different person today if we hadn't grown up with orchards nearby, where wild asparagus grew around the pear trees; if we hadn't been able to walk to the nearest "mountain" (really a large hill) to hike; if we hadn't moved to that same hill to help our parents build a house; to learn to prime a pump and carry water to the house; to skate on a frozen pond and toboggan down the hill across the road.
My youngest brother spent much of his childhood in the desert, with nature of a far different sort: cacti, tarantulas, scorpions, coyotes, fishing in the Sea of Cortez. He loved it.
Many city people cannot afford to take their children to the country, but those who can, and don't, are depriving them of so much.
— K
Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel
Thanks Naomi. I happen to love those bale stings myself. Too bad they couldn't be put to good use. As kids, we used to braid them and make them into jumpropes.
Hi Kay. I so agree that children need exposure to nature, to be able to run free, roll in the dirt, so to speak, smell, feel, taste, and touch the messiness of it. I loved the feeling of running through the fields with bare feet–unheard of today. I wish I knew a way to help bring nature into every child's life.
I love your post! I went on a walk yesterday just to clear my brain – I agree that just being outside is one of the best ways to do it. It never occurred to me to bring my camera or a notepad along. I think I might have to steal that fabulous idea.
Hi Amyisaman. Sometimes observing our surroundings through the eye of a camera or writing about them, makes us notice what we would otherwise take for granted. I stole the idea from a fellow blogger. Happy to pass it along. Enjoy.
I love the photos and all the ideas set forth in this post. I agree our young people don't have enough time in nature and will be passing this along to my daughter. My grandchildren could benefit from more time in the great outdoors. Thanks for a thoughtful and thought-provoking post.
Hi Rosi. You're so very welcome. I plan to let my granddaughters play in the cotton seed that we feed to our cows. I asked my son's persmission, and he said, "Of course. I used to play in the pile myself. Cotton seed gets in your shoes, even in your underpants. Loved it."
Hi Margaret, interesting pictures on your farm. Dorothy
Thanks Dorothy.
We have city kids and have to schedule special times to break away for just these reasons. I recently read a story that kids with ADHD need to play in open areas: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44596347/ns/health-childrens_health/
Hi Gretchen. I've also heard that children (and adults?) with ADHD need to play in open areas. I hope with the budget cuts parks aren't closed for city kids. They, especially need the ability to run free.