#NewThisDay Writing From My Photo Stream

Bug on Button Bush, Cephalanthus occidentalis

It's a splendid 4th of July morning to be walking in a sunny, fragrant meadow. But, I have to remind myself to breathe deeply, and keep my attention on what's growing and thriving, buzzing and singing around me. 

I'm in a transition time - my mind is half in the lush woods and half on my too long to do list – I'm visualizing everything I must pack in my car. I'm anxious, even in this most peaceful atmosphere.

I leave in two days to drive to Pennsylvania to present at a conference for a week. And I love this conference; I'm really happy to be going! I'll be with so many women writers friends, my daughter - there will be so much creativity and positive energy to share. I haven't left – yet I'm already missing being here!

At Muhlenberg College every early morning there's a gorgeous walk near the campus I'll take that leads me by a lovely pond, a weeping willow, and into a well tended rose garden. Once there, I will relax, fall back in love with this different place to be outdoors.

Maybe what I need to feel at peace today, is to simply say thank you. Thank you to this land, its trees, these Rocky Narrows wildflowers and weeds and bees and bugs, these bushes and shrubs and the mysterious way they spring to life on this trail, in this soil (the soil they make!), for reasons I may never fully understand. The button bush wants to feed seeds to the shore birds. The milkweed wants to share pollen with bees. They've enriched the lives of so many this spring: they've made a meadow for the birds and the bees, and for me.

For Oxygen. Breath. Beauty. Peace. I'm grateful.

All photos and text copyright Kelly DuMar unless otherwise attributed