Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength,
the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.
- Harriet Tubman
Its been awfully quiet around here lately. Too quiet. Part summertime business part lack of words to share. So I'm passing along some web inspiration.
Super excited to be participating in Emerge and SouLodge e-courses both starting soon!
I have been feeling the pull more and more lately to be in nature. I always return home much more grounded after getting away, even if for just an hour. We have so much goodness surrounding us here in Idaho. The river, the mountains and the desert. All just a short car trip away. None of them hold the enchantment of the sea for me but I'll compromise. I think this is the start of the healing path I need to take. To remove myself from the confines of the house and the noise of the city and just BE.
Yesterday Hailee and I packed up the car for a quick day trip to the desert for some Geocaching. We started caching just one year ago as a new family hobby. It has proven to be an excellent way to get outside, exercise a little and explore new areas. We have found treasures like Artesian springs and hidden ghost towns all thanks to Geocaching. As of yesterday our find count is up to 32. Not too bad for a years time but definitely far behind some of the seasoned cachers.
On our treasure adventures we almost always are gifted with the sight of wildlife as well. Earlier this week there were eagles soaring high above us and yesterday lizards scampered across our path. I like feeling that they are messengers crossing my path and Hailee enjoys seeing them too. Just another plus to living where we do.
Lately I have been getting a lot of inquiries as to what Geocaching is exactly. Rather than attempt a complicated explanation I will direct you to this video which does a much better job:
Some things I would like to point out if you are thinking of giving it a try:
~Buy a handheld GPS because if you have AT&T like us you may or may not have service on your smartphone to use the Geocaching.com app.
~Try to be stealthy. Chances are if someone sees you walking around picking up rocks and moving bushes aside you are going to look suspicious.
~The key to getting an accurate location on your GPS is to keep moving. Found this out the hard way on our first attempt.
~Don't be afraid to get dirty. Most likely the cache is going to be hidden under rocks, bushes or thorns. Wear boots. I always have to kick the box first before I pick it up just in case some critters have found a new home in it.
~Bring a garbage bag with you. Pick up trash on your way back from the cache. Mother Nature will thank you.
This week I'm participating in my first ever 'Roid Week! Not even a year ago I started shooting with my very first Polaroid, an SX-70. Now my camera collection has exploded into something bordering on hoarding. Our kitchen counter currently is holding 4 I believe. I am hooked. Keep checking back every day for new photos!
One year ago on this day I was lying in a hospital bed, recovering from my first ever surgery. Desperate to put an end to my sudden emergence of health issues.
One year ago I was mourning the end of my 20's and getting ready to say hello to 30.
One year ago my marriage was in trouble. My husband and I had grown so far apart we were on the verge of separation.
One year ago I was not journaling. I did not even own a single journal.
One year ago I my camera started to gather dust and my creativity seemed to vanish.
Today things look very altered from that distant reality.
I'm not where I would like to be health-wise yet but I am working with a fabulous naturopath and am on my way.
Today I am counting down the days to my 31st birthday and it is now a number I am okay with. I am embracing this life.
In this moment my marriage is healing. We are communicating with feeling and sharing with love. We made it through the most difficult test our relationship has ever seen.
Today I am working on filling my second journal and am slowly feeling my way through a daily writing practice.
Today I am comfortable calling myself an artist. I am comfortable exploring different mediums. I am back on my creative path.
It really is amazing the difference a year can make. There is a lot to be said through self-exploration and the healing that comes with it. Cheers to another year!
A belated Happy Canada Day to my friends up North and a Happy 4th to my fellow Americans! We have been doing a wee bit of traveling around here so I am behind on photos and all things blogging. I wanted to pop in with a few unedited shots from the weekend. The first looks funky and psychedelic because I was shooting through 3D glasses over my lens. I lucked out with some pretty cool effects from the glasses. I will have lots of fun photos to add to Flickr once I get caught up.
