The World In Which We Live....

People usually consider walking on water or in thin air a miracle. But I think the real miracle is not to walk either on water or in thin air, but to walk on earth. Every day we are engaged in a miracle which we don't even recognize: a blue sky, white clouds, green leaves, the black, curious eyes of a child -- our own two eyes. All is a miracle. ~Thich Nhat Hanh

It is no secret that Sugar Bear and I love to go on nature walks. We often set out along our road to burn off some energy, and see what is new. There are mud puddles, animals, hills, and lots and lots and lots of fun. Even though we have walked this journey time and time again.....no two are ever alike. Somehow we always seem to have an unique experience.



I am always prepared to take lots of photographs of my Sugar enjoying the outdoors. These types of photos will never bore me. I find them so incredibly meaningful. There is NOTHING like capturing that moment of discovery.



There is just something about being out of doors, that fosters a real sense of freedom.



In the last month, I have tried to really take these moments a step further. I have made a conscience effort to open MY eyes even further. To do this, I ask Sugar as we go along, "Honey, what do you see?" or "Tell me something you see that makes you happy!" It is so fascinating to hear her describe things that I have taken for granted for such a long time. In fact, the experience has opened my heart right along with my eyes. It has been an unexpected, yet completely cherished outcome.

There are clouds that remind us of big fluffy balls of cotton highlighted against a sky that is our favorite shades of blue.





Puddles of water have been nothing but a nuisance in my life for as long as I can remember. Through my daughter, I have rediscovered their enticing qualities. If given a proper chance, they reflect all things beautiful.



The unending lure of animals and insects, never ceases to amaze me. Despite our BAD EXPERIENCE with tufted Caterpillars, I could not resist letting Sugar Bear enjoy a little one-on-one exploration with this cute little guy. From my extensive reading on the subject, I was fairly certain he would be safe....and he was.







There is an unending source of varied textures in nature. Each has a beauty of it's own. An old wooden power pole left to rot, finds itself breaking apart in cubic chunks.



The soft, green moss growing along the base of a tree, allows long, thin shoots of grass to penetrate it's turf. The seeds of the pinecone scatter promises of forests to come.



I've been led to notice the patterned lines of a tire track in the warm brown mud. To a young child, obsessed with shapes, this is a true treasure to behold.



Taken a step further, I am reminded of a journey. The tracks seem to add a sense of movement on an ever static road.



Adding a Sugar Bear leads my heart to beat faster imagining the long journey ahead of her. She walks with determination....and I'll know she'll get there.



The possibilities are endless. Each and every step along the way leads us to another moment of beauty. We never tired of it's offerings. Sharing it with each other is a true blessing.

Sugar Bear is my ray of light...



and I am hers!



It just doens't get any better than this! LIFE IS GOOD!



If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement and mystery of the world we live in. ~Rachel Carson

PICK ME, SUGAR BEAR! PICK ME!