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Life is an admirable arrangement...
It is so clever of it to have June
in every year and a morning in every
day, let alone things like birds, and
Shakespeare, and one's work.
~Elizabeth von Arnim
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"I find it good to be out this still, dark, mizzling afternoon; my walk or voyage is more suggestive and profitable than in bright weather. The view is contracted by the misty rain, the water is perfectly smooth, and the stillness is favorable to reflection... " ~From Thoreau's Journal, Nov. 7, 1855
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I heard his song long before I saw him. He was late getting here this year. I was worried for I have become quite spoiled to his oh-so-sweet song on long summer evenings.
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"Do not curse the mountain for its height. Climb it breath by breath, and let patience be your guide. Endure not as one burdened, but as one sculpting a legacy, chip by chip, day by day." (Old Stoic Wisdom)
"Mizzling afternoons" does, indeed, describe our weather here as of late. My boots have grown accustomed to becoming sodden messes almost every day. Millie and I keep racking up the days since we last missed hiking the hillside trail. It now stands at 1,146 days.
I recently read the story of Emma Rowena Gatewood, who at 67 years of age told her adult children that she was going for a walk. And walk she did!
"In 1955, with just a simple pair of Keds sneakers and a homemade denim bag, she embarked on the incredible adventure of hiking the Appalachian Trail, a path over 3,470 km that crosses mountains, forests, and varied terrains across the United States. Without maps or technology, relying only on her intuition and the kindness of strangers, Emma became the first woman to complete this journey alone and in a single season.
Her story inspired thousands and changed perceptions about the abilities and courage of older people, especially women. She repeated the hike in 1960 and 1963, proving that age is not a limit to achieving great goals.
Emma Gatewood is a symbol of perseverance, courage, and love for nature. Her legacy lives on among hikers and adventure lovers around the world."
-Source: National Park Service
9 comments:
Beautiful post Mary. Years ago my Mom wanted to hike the appalachian trail-My brother went with her, I did not end up going. I wish I had now. Mom planned well and had supplies sent to a post office along the trail.
I love the blue herons too-they seem to not like people at all.
cold and rain still continues but I think this is the last of it as we begin the warm up
hugs Kathy
An admirable arrangement, indeed - as is your post. So very much to love, so much beauty - of nature, photos, reflections and words. And I must admit that I have had a long-time love of the word mizzling...I think, at some point, I actually once wrote about that word in a post. Herons are strangely beautiful - perhaps in an "ugly" way to some. They can look so very historic. How amazing for you to have caught (on film - and properly "on film") that blue in the bird in your header photo. And kindred soul you are - I used to carry that same camera with a zoom lens around...and now resort to my pocketed phone.
I've read Emma Gatewood's book. Excellent. She is amazing!!!
When I had a pond and found a blue heron having lunch at my back deck I sure didn't think it was majestic or beautiful at all. So had to cover the deck with netting. Now the pond is gone and no blue heron visits.
Love your water color and was quite impressed with Emma Rowena Gatewood's accomplishments ~ you go girl!!!!!!
Ah, your tanager friend again, Mary! How I'd love to see one. And your quotes are so nice, but the Von Arnim one - I love it! Is that from Enchanted April? I have read it, but not recently.
How interesting! So did she (Emma Rowena Gatewood) write a book based on her long walk(s)? I did read Wild by Cheryl Strayed and that , if I remember correctly, was interesting reading too.
Mizzling is a good word. We had rain overnight and this morning was mizzling and damp but the sun came out by afternoon.
1,146 consecutive walks 💗
I like that she did the hike with non of the fancy schamzy stuff everyone thinks they need. I love it! I also had a hard time getting photo of the blue heron when I did my birding year. I finally got one, but he was perched on top of a tree.
Herons are fascinating birds, almost serpentine when they stretch their necks, but always so aware of any movement.All our rain has gone elsewhere - we've had very little for weeks.
Pretty much every evening we see a lone blue heron flying past above the river. I don't know if he/she has a mate (perhaps he's off foraging for food and is taking it back to her). I've never seen a tanager here although I expect they're around.
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