Saying Hello to the Winter World

a walk and a dance

I am a huge fan of Sharon Blackie! And one of the things she talks about (in my own words) is creating a relationship to the natural world around us. We can get to know the trees, the birds, the animals, the plant life, the rivers around us as we move through our world. She encourages people to talk to the natural world, to build a relationship over time, to be a witness to its existence and its changes, to listen to what it is sharing back. When we start to make tangible connection to the landscape we walk through every day, what happens? For me, I feel more alive. I have a sense of belonging, a sense of feeling small in a good way. I am not as consumed with myself when I am saying hello to the trees in my neighborhood, trees that have been around a long time, or when I tell the grasses how beautiful they look in their winter browns and oranges. I may quickly become “that woman” in the neighborhood who is talking to the trees and plants, but I don’t mind. I like to be a part of the world right around me, to see how the grasses and the shrubs and the trees evolve throughout the year. There’s something trustworthy and soothing in the connection.

So, today, on a very cold windy wintery day, I took the dog out for a walk on one of my favorite streets to say hello to a couple of trees that I have started a relationship with over the past two years.

This is Grandmother Holly. That’s what I call her. She has had some trims recently, showing off her trunk, giving her some flare! Her berries seem extra abundant and vibrant this winter.

And these are the Three Sisters, sometimes I call them the Three Witches. Their branches remind me of sleeves of a robe or a cape, hanging elegantly and filled with magic. I think they carry a lot of wisdom.

Who is hanging around your neighborhood or along your favorite walks?

******

On another note…

Many Fridays I offer myself a quick dance, so here is one from today after saying hello to my tree companions. Feel free to dance along.