Worth Every Tick........maybe

My fall season has not been to my liking.  It has been a massive hatch of ticks which means I have been avoiding the place that gives me peace, the woods.  For reasons beyond all senses I decided that for my well being I must get back to the woods.  Not being much on bug sprays last week I tucked jean legs into tight socks, gloves up in sleeves of the jacket and pulled a tight watch cap down over my ears along with a tight turtle neck.  Away I went and about every 20 feet would stop to take a search looking for ticks.  They were plentiful, brushing them off because it was meant to be that I continued for another 2 hours.  Yes, that is how much wood walks mean to me.  It is a time that I feel at peace with myself, the time there are no others to be seen, just the quiet of the woods.  It had been a long time coming the past 6 weeks and something I can not for some reason do without.  My days were filled with many things to keep me busy but nothing that is more satisfying at the end of the day than me and peace.  When I get home it is strip outside, yes, I do.  I have no desire to bring a tick in the house on my clothes.  Where we live it is pretty safe to hug up against the back door, listen for cars and hurry to drop the clothes and run inside to the shower.  Directly to the shower because more than likely a tick or two has managed to hang on.  My last two times, none showing up on the shower floor so I feel darn lucky.  Back at it, deep breaths, long walks and peace on earth for a few hours. 

A beautiful Cherry tree with an unusual ripple patter, wonder what
caused that?

That is one of many ticks that wanted to hitch a ride for a meal.

I like beach walks but for some reason looking out over the big ocean and watching waves makes me feel alone in a different way.  Small, like the tiny grains of sand that make up the beach.  Just a speck that really is just living here in a great big world.  The woods brings life close and closed in, just a view of what is directly ahead, not across the ocean or in the sky.  The beach view is for miles and miles, the woods view for just a little ways with the view of the sky only when the leaves have fallen.  Does it make sense, probably not but it is where I can go to collect myself, accept who I am and feel that sometimes this crazy mind is ok for another day or two. 

Yep, I'm back to me in just two walks that will continue weekly.  Even in the snow and cold which is another story of feeling refreshed and ready to have an awwww moment.

Most of our days have been painting a table and chairs my granddaughter gave us and our daughter hauled home to us for the cabin.  It is a drop leaf round table with two chairs, maple wood.  It is perfect for the cabin.  Dick sanded the top, stained it a darker shade and I painted the base and the chairs the muted green color of the kitchen cabinet at the cabin.  The chairs  had cushions so we  recovered them with an orange/melon and beige color design. This little bit of color should bring on the sliding refurbished door we hung barn style dividing the kitchen from the bathroom area.  I am seeing progress on dreams from many nights coming together.

Getting close.