Memories and healing along a Dirt Road

My home, The Dirt Road. This place holds memories, is memory. How much fun was had here growing up. Not a question, but a statement of fact. Today, this place is my healing.

How many times as a youth, did I walk this road? How many miles were logged on a bicycle up and down this narrow lane to nowhere and everywhere? The woods that line this road have been home to many grand adventures. Saving homesteaders, discoveries were made, new trails across the wilderness were found.
 In these woods, walking along the mirade of paths that meander through there is a peace. A lovely quiet where most sounds are those of nature. Sounds of civilaztion muted. Often I have walked these paths seeking the peace and healing of the heart.
 As a youth I waded in the creeks, drinking from the places where the water ran fast, or from where my grandfather had sank a pipe deep into the ground where a fresh water spring waited. No bottled water will ever touch that taste. Searching for crawdads in the creeks, chasing tadpoles and catching turtles all along the creeks that crisscross through the woods. Wandering the woods, because I did not fit in with my peers. Wandering the woods and finding a large part of my balance. My family gifting me with the rest. Immaturity and innocence can be a curse or a gift. All that time spent wandering the woods have helped to hone my ability to handle alone time and enjoy it.
 As a teen, I spent the time there as I sought to find myself. Struggling to grow, straining against boundaries, arguements that sent me along the trails to regain control of my temper. Running as fast as I could muster to work the anger out. Knowing my way in those woods, as well as I knew the back of my own hand. Never afraid to go alone, never afraid to go deep into the woods. Enjoying the ability to disappear into another world away fron the one I struggled to fit into.
 As an adult, home from a failed marriage I looked to the woods, but did not follow the trails I love. An adult that thought myself too big for the woods. Too mature to need what was there.
 As an adult facing cancer I returned to my beloved woods. Walking the paths that I had loved as a youth, paths that were filled with memories that came flooding back. The quiet of the woods my healing peace. Even after the many years that seperated my walks, the memories have not dimmed.
 Riding on my grandfather's big red tractor through the woods to the power line in search of the best wood's dirt. Walking the road with dad at Christmas time looking for the best evergreen tree. Sitting in a patch of ferns that grew over waiste high only in one spot, a spot that had to have a spring somewhere underground that just never broke the surface. Thoughts of those challenges of riding bikes down the hill trying to avoid riding right into the creek.
 Walking the paths I have discovered many gifts waiting to be found. Flowers I remembered, but thought long died out still grow there. During those long summer days attracting butterflies and bees along with the occasional praying mantis. Ground hog and snakes, deer and hawk..owl that sit in the trees and watch you pass by. Thousands of photos later, hundreds of miles walked with an uncounted number of hours spent walking I know my contentment. I know my peace.
  These woods, these paths in the woods growing along the side of this narrow, dead end dirt road  is where I find the best of quiet times. It is easy to leave all the noises and concerns of life behind as I walk and listen in the stillness. I feel the healing love, the assuring peace of my Lord walking with me there. Nothing is a distraction, nothing is a disturbance, nothing covers the voice of peace and love.
 That I find here, on this road- that I call home.

a rambling kind of discussing over rambling through the woods

My walks have become a very important part of my daily activities. Even after working a ten hour shift, I walk for about an hour. My walks take me along a set of paths that cut through my parent's property. I know I am blessed to live here.
I know that the weather will turn cold, even though today is perfect. With a Carolina blue sky, just a slight breeze, and the colors of fall exploding all around me, it is an amazing and wonderful experience, walking.
 I have friends that live in the city, I've tried it, I'll be honest, it isn't for me. I'm accustomed to crickets, dogs and owls not the blaring of horns and screech of tires. I work ten hours a day in a manufacturing plant. The noise from the machines is horrendous. Out there in the woods is a quiet that seeps into your soul and brings with it a peace that can't be found elsewhere. Out there, without televisions and telephones and computers and neighbors one can find the perfect place for their quiet time.
 Today as I walked I was trying, really trying to be quiet. I was searching the woods around me for any signs of deer. With so many of the leaves having already fallen I can obviously see a lot farther. I made it to the top of the hill, and took my left turn. I probably moved ten feet or so when I spooked up a deer. I didn't seeit, but I heard it tearing off through the woods. Squirrel do not make that much noise.
I had worn a jacket over my sweater when I left the house. Along with my blaze orange don't shoot me I'm human hat. By the time I made it back to the Dirt Road the jacket was off. I had taken some photographs but with no bees or bugs or butterfly about I didn't take many. I love the colors of fall, but I prefer the colors of the abundance of wildflowers that grow around here.
My husband worries about me walking. I told him that I'm careful, I watch where I'm going and I have people watching out for me. I carry protection and my cell phone. There is also the fact that it would be difficult for anyone to sneak up on me in the woods--I mean really- they simply don't rake out there and with all those fallen and dead leaves one has to walk on making all that noise- I mean really.
I have wood for my woodstove, but most of it needs to be cut to size. With my husband out on the road, and my son working and going to school I'm not sure how that is going to happen.. but I'll get it done, if I have to learn how to handle a chain saw myself..that ought to be interesting...
I believe  I'll take a walk and think that one over----

Walks of adventure and healing- let the fun begin

Over the course of the summer I have walked every chance I could get. My walks are where I find a peace and relaxation that I cannot find sitting here either on the computer or watching television. Out there, away from distractions is a special place. Out there, is where I have found healing and blessings.

As a youth I played in the woods around this house. I knew then and I know now every path, man made or animal made. Many adventures imaginary and real took place in these woods. People were saved, discoveries were made, fantasy creatures wandered about freely. As a teen the woods were the place I sought refuge from all those teen woes. Whether it was a battle with my parents or feeling ostracized by peers. When a bad marriage finally fell apart, the woods were again where I came to heal. At one point the time spent in the woods grew to be less and less. There was always something more important to be done.

I am a four year cancer survivor. While I was going through the battle I began walking again. It helped with the healing, it helped with distracting me from the fears and worries of the fight I was in. Every time I walked, I carried my camera. I have photographed as many of the blessings I found along the way as I could. At one point I began to notice something. The butterfly and bees that I loved to photograph were accepting my presence. Instead of flying off to a different flower, they went about their business as if I were not there. That in itself was an amazing feeling. I had challenged myself to try and get "the" bee shot. So far I've gotten close but haven't gotten the one shot that would have me cheering with an "oh yeah! Got it!!" Still, the fact that they allow me to get right in the middle of them and I haven't even been threatened by them is a thrill.

There have been some interesting birds that have paid visits to my dad's big fishing puddle. I have some photographs, but again, not THE photograph. I'll keep trying. The maddest I have gotten is when the hawk was on a swing frame behind the house and I didn't know it in time to try and get a picture.

Recently a young squirrel has become quite the ham. It plays and does squirrel acrobatics showing off for the camera. It has no fear of me. I don't think that is a good thing for the squirrel. If it begins to trust people too much its very life is threatened. I think though that right now its being young helps, but I have been known to be wrong before. So I may photograph the squirrel but I don't try to tame it. That would be a cruel thing to do.

A lot has been going on since last I blogged. I hope to get here more often. Other places I've blogged has left me unhappy and dissatisfied. Hopefully that will change with my posts here. If you enjoy dirt road stories, simple things, peaceful things. That is what will be here. I'll discuss the dirt road, my books of which there are now 3, my son and my family's adventures as simple as they may be..because some times, those are the best kind. I'll discuss the critters real and....not.. here on the Dirt Road. I hope you'll join me.