Dreams of "Simple Life"

Waiting on the Easter rain here at my cave, wishing I was in the Boston Mountains of Arkansas. The weather is just right to ramble the trails and back roads looking for interesting and unusual sights and enjoying the solitude only found in the mountains. The mountain streams have a soothing and relaxing music this time of year with the waterfalls running full force. A big tree makes a great backrest and the waterfalls can clean all ill thoughts that clog the mind, and I certainly have a need to cleanse my mind.
There is something about the rain and clouds in the mountains that I enjoy. They seem to help the soul and bring rest and a feeling of solitude. The critters seem to welcome you and the birds start to sing their favorite songs. In the background you catch the sounds of the "Bully Bird" (crow) as he agitates some poor critter.
You can hear the sound of thunder off in the distance as it rolls through the valley and finally reaches your tree. You hear the droplets of rain ever so slow as they touch the leaves and cleanse the dust from them. Off in the distance a "Rain Crow" starts to sing and the rain drops make rings in the stream.
The nighttime brings sounds of the Hoot Owl as he sends messages to his friends across the way and the frogs croon a deep throat melody. Life slows even more and sleep comes easy with dreams of experiences of the day and good thoughts of tomorrow's adventures.

Just the Wind Blowing

I love spring, but not the wind! Wind is only good for flying Kites and I own no kites. The march winds are now in April and they have been for the past few years. Educated people say their is no climate change and want us to follow their thinking.All one needs to do is walk outside and watch what is going on in the outside world. One cannot see the changes from inside the four walls of their adobe. One reason Muir and his com padres knew so much about the seasons and nature was they spent their lives out in the natural surroundings, watching and learning.The outdoor world offers so much education if only we would look and listen. Some spend their time sitting in front of the tube watching wildlife shows and claim to be experts on the subject. A person needs to hear, smell and taste the wild to be in a position to expand on the subject.
With the wind blowing so hard today I noticed that the geese from the pond behind my house did not fly, they remained on the lake and I could hear their chatter all day. I noticed only one cardinal at the feeder and his stay was short.The weather has to warm considerably before we see hummingbirds, however, I am ready for their company. They seem to signal that flowers are blooming and the new generation of wildlife has arrived.
Yes, being in the outdoors is the place to be, fresh air, sounds of natural things and clean, clear thoughts.
Thank You God for nature and the wilds.

Wishing and Waiting

Springtime is here, so they say. However, I want warmer weather and time to ramble the boonies in comfort. I look forward to the return of the Mississippi Kites so I will have company when I have my morning coffee on the patio. Yesterday I heard a woodpecker or a sapsucker banging on a tree, a good reminder that spring is moving this way.
I am getting the hummingbird feeders ready and in place around my new "cook shack" so I can enjoy their antics this summer. I still have some Canadian geese that do a fly over each morning. I love to hear them as they approach the lake behind my house. The blue jays are here and scavenging the neighborhood like a bunch of "Hell's Angles" arriving at the local bar.
The bluebirds are fewer this year and I hope they increase. They are so much fun to watch as they feed the little ones. Nature brings a feeling of freedom and rest to me and I love to hear the mountain streams in the spring.
Enjoying nature should not be a marathon through the wilds. It should be enjoyed slowly and in seclusion from all other two legged animals.Sitting beside an old tree listening and watching for  whatever decides to make itself available.These moments are great to sort out the garbage clogged up in the head. Rational thoughts come easy and simple solutions are made.
Wild critters are smart, they avoid humans because they know that two legged animals bring disaster  to their world as they do to ours. People are afraid of animals and for no good reason. The critters will flee to avoid contact with humans.
I had an Uncle that had a special bond with wildlife. He always had wild pet animals,but never caged. They roamed the wild and would come to visit him when he called. It was not unusual for him to have a King snake in his pocket or a baby rabbit he was feeding.He was a very special person to me and I think this is where my love of wildlife started. He had a one eyed dog named Cricket that was always by his side. He spent so much time with Cricket that whatever he told her to do she would obey, however, I never heard him raise his voice or scold her.
A surprise thunderstorm just arrive and the sounds of the thunder is music.It could only be better if I were in the mountains in a cabin with a tin roof.