Outdoorgeous
Appreciating Vitality and Contentment in Organic Surroundings
OUTDOORGEOUS.COM
Mom, I Got One!
At three years old my son, Cody, could nearly out cast me, but was yet to bring in a fish of his own. The serenity of the evening was suddenly disturbed by Cody hollering, "Mom, I got one!" Seeing the bend of his pole and hearing his reel whine, I knew this was no false alarm. I said, "Reel, Cody, reel!" and did he ever. He looked like a seasoned fisherman aside from his asking me to take the pole from him. I said, "No, this is your fish." Then, with a jerk, his pole flew out of his grasp and went quickly under the water. He hadn't caught his first fish, but he had his first, "the big one got away story".
Fishing with an Angel
One warm fall evening the sun was setting on Offut Lake where I had the kids fishing off the dock. An orange haze kissed the tops of the trees and the quiet water. A glance to the left found what looked to be an angel from heaven. Her auburn hair was luminated by the setting sun and her white dress flowed in the gentle breeze as she patiently waited for a tug on the line. The angel that took my breath away in awe was my five year old daughter, Gracie. So many precious moments get taken for granted. Not this one! I will always remember the moment captured in my minds eye.
Fishing: A Sacred Affair
Fishing, not necessarily "catching", is a spiritual event. Standing at the river side, floating in a boat, sitting on a dock or on shore, you have the sounds of the breeze, the birds, the whispers of the water, and though all is constantly moving, constantly changing, you are still. Having your line in the water, feeling and searching for something you cannot see is like experiencing faith. You don't see what is under the water, but you know it is there. As your line drifts down stream from where you've cast it up stream, you learn the river bed by feel. Cast after cast you memorize the river bed, the way the water flows faster or slower in areas. How refreshing it is to have something new before you repeatedly, washed clean as with repentence. If by chance, luck, or skill you get a fish on your hook while waiting and watching your line as it breaks from your world to the world underwater, it becomes tangible. The mortal world versus the spiritual. Fishing is a sacred affair.
For you WA gals that don't think you are interested in jumping in with two feet to buy a fishing license, but want to get out there to see if its something you would enjoy, this weekend is "Free Fishing Weekend". Try it, you might LOVE it! Make it a date with your man or an early Father's Day date with your dad. The serenity and chance for adrenaline is amazing.
http://wdfw.wa.gov/weekender/
For you WA gals that don't think you are interested in jumping in with two feet to buy a fishing license, but want to get out there to see if its something you would enjoy, this weekend is "Free Fishing Weekend". Try it, you might LOVE it! Make it a date with your man or an early Father's Day date with your dad. The serenity and chance for adrenaline is amazing.
http://wdfw.wa.gov/weekender/
Trowel of Life
As I paced on the narrow paths of our garden the other evening I plucked a few growing weeds that were in what will eventually bring nourishment to my family. Occasionally, they would come out with minimal effort. Some, on the other hand, had roots that needed a trowel to be removed. Weeds by definition are considered to be a nuisance, unsightly and out of place. They steal from the nutrients that might otherwise be used for the growth and development of intended vegetation. This reminds me of life in that there are things that pollute our existence. Somehow, they grow fast and strong and are not always easily plucked out. A few weeds that come to mind are gossip, negative thoughts, and spending time on worthless endeavors rather than focusing on things that will bring joy and build on our lives or the lives of others. So, today I am challenged to get out my trowel of life and remove the weeds, cultivating my life for substantial yield.
Out-door-geous (adj.)
Out-door-geous (adj.) Beauty found within through appreciation of the outdoors.
Slowing the Drops from my Watering Can
I want to slow the drops from my watering can just enough to absorb the beauty and lessons found in outdoor adventures, a passion of mine and of my family. I also have interest in contributing toward conservation so that our children might have the opportunity to share all we do with their children someday. I have dabbled in many outdoor hobbies over the years. Currently, we are enjoying our first family garden, fishing, kayaking and camping. And, my husband is in the process of designing, for our yard, a backstop for target practice with our bows. I am a nurse in an acute care setting which lends itself to small talk in some of the most precarious situations. In sharing favorite "the big one got away", and "catch of the day" stories, I began to realize that these hobbies and passions in outdoor adventures, specifically between women, are an identifiable common denominator. The topic of women in the outdoors is nothing new, but is just beginning to be celebrated. I hope anyone who shares common interests and feels compelled to do so, will interject their thoughts, questions and concerns. So, this is my plan...to savor the moments spent in solitude, with friends, with my children, with my husband, and with my God. In reflection of outdoorgeous experiences, I will slow the drops from my watering can as to not take for granted details meant for enrichment.
Slowing the Drops from my Watering Can
I want to slow the drops from my watering can just enough to absorb the beauty and lessons found in outdoor adventures, a passion of mine and of my family. I also have interest in contributing toward conservation so that our children might have the opportunity to share all we do with their children someday. I have dabbled in many outdoor hobbies over the years. Currently, we are enjoying our first family garden, fishing, kayaking and camping. And, my husband is in the process of designing, for our yard, a backstop for target practice with our bows. I am a nurse in an acute care setting which lends itself to small talk in some of the most precarious situations. In sharing favorite "the big one got away", and "catch of the day" stories, I began to realize that these hobbies and passions in outdoor adventures, specifically between women, are an identifiable common denominator. The topic of women in the outdoors is nothing new, but is just beginning to be celebrated. I hope anyone who shares common interests and feels compelled to do so, will interject their thoughts, questions and concerns. So, this is my plan...to savor the moments spent in solitude, with friends, with my children, with my husband, and with my God. In reflection of outdoorgeous experiences, I will slow the drops from my watering can as to not take for granted details meant for enrichment.
