Beyond expectation

I see that the life of this place is always emerging beyond expectation or prediction or typicality, that it is unique, given to the world minute by minute, only once, never to be repeated.  And this is when I see that this life is a miracle, absolutely worth having, absolutely worth saving.  We are alive within mystery, by miracle.

~ Wendell Berry

Reading those words (the quote I started the post with) late yesterday, I thought, “Yes!”  That is how it feels when I go out for my daily walks, “…alive within mystery, by miracle.”  There is also the idea that things are emerging and different, minute by minute.  Anyone who has grown asparagus can watch throughout the day as the spears grow, going from not ready to be picked in the morning to tall enough to harvest in the evening.  Even if you don’t have such a fast grower to watch, you can see the small and large changes that happen day by day if you are willing to take the time to get out and look, to walk the same paths on a regular basis and get to know the land where you live.

Today’s photos are from a little dogwood M planted out front.  It looked so pretty in the early morning sunlight yesterday that I took a series of photos, playing with a variety of settings on my camera in an attempt to do in-camera what I sometimes do in post-processing.

Every day I learn a little bit more about how to play with light, shadow, and color.  I think that’s why a moratorium on taking photos will never stick.  There are always new things to learn, and always new circumstances on the same old paths I walk every day.

It’s been a busy Friday.  I spent the morning shopping, as did pretty much everyone in the area.  Lots of people must have Good Friday off from work.  The produce market was packed with other folks, probably getting ready for Easter weekend.  I came home with gobs of fresh veggies for use (use?  eating pleasure!) over the next 4-5 days.  That means spending time cleaning out the fridge, using the old, not-so-pretty veggies and leftover stems from greens and leeks and things to make a huge pot of vegetable stock to be used or frozen.

I also prepped some of the veggies to have ready for the next day or two.  I find if I do that, I’m more likely to use them (so they don’t end up in the stock or the compost pile).

We had some trees delivered today.  Eight eastern (or Canadian) hemlocks destined for the new hedgerow we’re growing.  They are beautiful trees.  I hope I live long enough to see all this come together.  We also bought a Golden Dawn Redwood to put at the back of the pond with the other evergreens.  It is gorgeous and I look forward to watching it grow and change.  I’ll post a few photos of them next week.  I didn’t take my camera with me on my walk today.

Into the woods

Well, I would love to stay and ramble or chat, but I must get moving.  I have salads to make, and a veggie lasagna to prepare.  The weekend is going to be brimming with activities, including a bicycle outing tomorrow.  We’re going to Amish country and will be riding on a trail that was designed for horse and buggy traffic as well as bicycles.  It should be fun.

Thank you for visiting me here in the Bogs on this lovely, sunny, brisk day.  I’ll be back on Monday with tales of adventures or maybe just the usual brand of everyday stuff.

May your weekend be filled with wonder and joy beyond expectation.  If you go out for a walk of your own, let me know how it went.  And if anyone is interested in taking a walk and doing a guest post here at Life in the Bogs, leave a note or feel free to email me (robin@maidinsun.com).  It would be nice to share walks from around the world.

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