Carpet of anemones
April 10th, 2023
I have noticed a small change in myself. As I was hiking in my forest this morning (and then after that when I was on a bike ride), I was not only taking in the scenery and enjoying the sounds of early spring, but I was also telling myself jokes. Long and elaborate and based on puns and wordplay jokes. And I don't remember making up and having fun with jokes in my head for a long time. What I remember from the last months was mostly anger and weariness which was mostly my companion on walks and travels. Not today. Today's glorious sunshine was an extension of warmth emanating from inside me. I felt fine and quite well-balanced with my thoughts and emotions. To be honest — I don't remember any of those jokes now. I don’t know if they were any good but I do remember having a chuckle over them. That was enough for a good mood.
Spring is here, even if the trees and most of the shrubs still stand bare. Anemones carpet the whole floor of the forest and there is no better sign for the spring and rebirth of nature (and I guess me as well) than another season of tiny white flowers sprouting everywhere. It was the same forty years ago when as a child I would go to the same forest and gather bunches of those flowers to bring back home to put them in water in small jars on the window sill.
Birds are here in full mating strength as well. I can hear them at home making a racket at five in the morning but the full symphony is best to experience in person just standing in the trees. I wish I could recognize the birds by their sounds. I guess that is something I can still learn — over the last few years I learned how to recognize them by sight (and was very surprised by a variety of birds within easy walking distance from where I live) — so that can be done. I am also proud of the fact that I know now how to recognize different trees as well, and all it took was minimal research and keeping open eyes on my walks.
Trails are still muddy and water comes from underground to turn out into small streams over where paths are in dry weather. I thought for a while about just going there and walking in the mud, boots and socks to be damned, to be spontaneous like that — but in the end reason prevailed. Well, maybe next time. But I still did raise some eyebrows this morning as was going to the forest, while passing other people — it was only 5 degrees Centigrade this morning and I was out already wearing shorts. I think one spontaneity per day might be enough.
