While living in Europe and Japan, I was always in awe: castles,
cultures, customs, food, and, especially the ever-present reminders of
antiquity. Later, I found myself feeling this same sense of wonder when I
visited New York City.
It was the diversity that grabbed my attention. Sitting in hole-in-the-wall
restaurants where owners yelled commands to staff in languages I cannot place,
is my idea of high adventure and fodder for many tales. However, I have always
been aware that I am not as enthralled with breathtaking scenery. I attribute this lack of enthusiasm to the fact that I grew up
surrounded by spectacular landscapes. I was so accustomed to the local beauty
that I first took it for granted, and later became blind to it. Now, my
consistent daily walks around the neighborhood have helped waken in me a sense
of wonder and appreciation for vistas, wildlife, and even the weeded, empty
spaces. Working to capture some of the beauty with my camera has helped me
pause on my rounds and truly see my surroundings. Even though I have not yet
been very successful in taking a photo that portrays the delight of the
immediate splendor, I have captured some of the joy within my heart, and that’s
undoubtedly more important.
So what’s
with the chestnuts? you may ask
 |
| Twins! |
.Today while I was out, I noticed that the
chestnuts had begun falling from my neighbor’s tree; some had only partially
popped out of their prickly shells.
My
first thought was an amused, “Oh, chestnuts must hatch in autumn.”
Then I remembered discovering chestnuts in
this very spot with two of my Grandsons. We talked about them, felt them, and
collected them. They were a treasure! So many things are treasures when you’re
on a walk with little children. Somehow it now feels possible to hold that same
appreciation for everything around, even without having children with me. So
although I miss all my grandchildren terribly, I can remember our adventures
and find wonderment in every walk I take. The chestnuts helped call me to a
remembrance-- and the deer and the turkeys and the squirrels, the trees, the
mountains and the beautiful lake just down the hill.
While living in Europe and Japan, I was always in awe: castles,
cultures, customs, food, and, especially the ever-present reminders of
antiquity. Later, I found myself feeling this same sense of wonder when I
visited New York City.
It was the diversity that grabbed my attention. Sitting in hole-in-the-wall
restaurants where owners yelled commands to staff in languages I cannot place,
is my idea of high adventure and fodder for many tales. However, I have always
been aware that I am not as enthralled with breathtaking scenery. I attribute this lack of enthusiasm to the fact that I grew up
surrounded by spectacular landscapes. I was so accustomed to the local beauty
that I first took it for granted, and later became blind to it. Now, my
consistent daily walks around the neighborhood have helped waken in me a sense
of wonder and appreciation for vistas, wildlife, and even the weeded, empty
spaces. Working to capture some of the beauty with my camera has helped me
pause on my rounds and truly see my surroundings. Even though I have not yet
been very successful in taking a photo that portrays the delight of the
immediate splendor, I have captured some of the joy within my heart, and that’s
undoubtedly more important. So what’s
with the chestnuts? you may ask
I bet J and R would love to be there looking at chestnuts with you too. Of course they would probably alternate between running ahead of you and dragging behind because they were soooo tired.
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