trees

Places of ordinary magic

There are spots along a path near my house where you can see the rocks in the river, and the overarching trees and the sight always makes my heart happy.

Ordinary magic is just as valuable as fancy magic.

A photo of a small stream and the trees/shrubs on both banks.
Image description: a view of a section of a stream at the bottom of a short slope. There are some bare tree branches, some evergreen branches, shrubs, and brown leaves and dirt on either bank of the river. Variously sized rocks are partially submerged in the water.

Perspective

I was feeling a bit foolish today because I was so delighted that the light is lasting longer into the evenings.

After all, this happens every year.

BUT

Then I realized how wonderful it is that I can be delighted by this over and over again.

Image description: A snowy path with trees at the side, the winter sun is low in the sky ahead and shining toward the camera. Khalee, a light-haired dog in a green sweatshirt in the foreground is looking towards the sun.
Our path today was very well lit. Image description: A snowy path with trees at the side, the winter sun is low in the sky ahead and shining toward the camera. Khalee, a light-haired dog in a green sweatshirt in the foreground is looking towards the sun.

One of my favourite views

The trunks and leaves ?of four large maple trees very close to one another next to a fence.
Image Description: The trunks and leaves of four large Maple trees very close together next to a fence.

This is me in my hammock.

Image description: Christine, a woman with short brown hair wearing a purple hoodie, can be seen from the shoulders up, lying in a gray and orange hammock. She is wearing sunglasses and smirking.

This is a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

Some things I just noticed today

I love how walking at even slightly different times of day or at a slightly different pace or a slightly different route leads me to notice new things in familiar places.

I love when rocks are sticking out of the ground like this, it reminds me of the site where I used to go to Guide camp.

I also love Khalee’s expression in this photo, kind of giving me side eye.

A large rock sticks out of the ground, surrounded by greenery. A light haired dog stands nearby.
Image description: a large piece of speckled rock is emerging from the ground, surrounded by greenery. A light-haired dog with a harness and a leash stands near it, looking sideways/toward the camera.

I’m sure I just have seen this type of tree before and perhaps I will recognize it again later in the season. I suspect that I am usually too busy in the spring to notice it flower, or maybe it has just reached eye level this year. Either way, I’m happy to have noticed it.

Green leaves, pink buds, and a white flower on a tree.
Image description: bright green leaves, a white flower, and pink buds on a tree.

Even though I have always been fairly observant, I sometimes am so focused on completing a task before I get distracted that I don’t notice everything I would have liked to see.

I’m tweaking that tendency these days and it has been worth the effort.