Fern Grotto

 

On the side of our house there is a slight hill - mostly huge rocks that have been here since time began - only disturbed thirty years ago when this small subdivision was established.  Some of the sites had to be literally dynamited in order to build a house.  Eight years ago we found this house -- nothing extravagent, nothing really exciting -- just a comfortable house in a nice neighborhood.  When we drove up to the house we were just thinking that it was a 'pleasant' place.  We turned the corner to see the side of the house and I believe at that point the house became ours -- for there was this 'grotto' of rocks and ferns, trees and plants and bushes -- like a mysterious oasis that hadn't been touched. 

Our 'grotto' is still there today -- still covered with ferns coming out of the rocks.  Rocks that have moss and lichen covering them in interesting designs.

 

 

Even in the heart of summer this bit of 'forest' is with us -- my thanks to the first owners of this house who did not blast away every bit of rock but left us with such a marvelous gift.

 

 

"Every moment and every event of every man's life on earth plants something in his soul." - Thomas Merton

 

 

A Day In The Woods

Last week we went for a 'walk in the woods'.  Little did I know that it would last 3-1/2 hours, that I would wade through a stream, slush through mud and get rained on.  Am I a good sport or what?  This walk encompassed a rock outcrop -- where mosses and strange lichen cling to their places.

There were all sorts of plant life that I had never seen up close.  As we walked and stopped to look around and to take pictures this seemed like somewhat of an alien world.  What small creature lives inside this miniature cave?  Or could it be a forest sprite who was huddled inside his warm abode staying out of the rain (unlike we foolish humans who were getting damper and damper)?

At this time of the year, in this part of the country, color is all around us -- bright, brilliant green that almost hurts your eyes, flowering trees and bushes and small flowers surprising us each day. On this hill all of the colors were muted -- like someone had come along and erased the brilliance leaving only a traces of their former color. 

Each day, the world around me can bring surprises and little worlds that I am ever so happy to explore.  Hopefully the next time, it won't be raining!

"I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order". - John Burroughs