My mornings start early at the Welcome Center at Beaver
Creek State Natural Area with unlocking the gate, putting up the flags and
putting out the bird feeders. I was
stopped mid-way through my chores this morning by this view of the marsh from the
observation deck. The morning mists were clearing away revealing the marsh. All
was quiet; a pair of huge Great Blue Herons flew silently along the edge.
We are drawing close to the end of our job here; we will be
leaving Monday morning, so I find myself in a reflective mood. We have been volunteering as hosts for
fifteen years now in places too numerous to mention, but each one has had its
own natural beauty that has caused me to stop in my tracks at some point and
take a deep breath and consider my great fortune to be in that time and place. Volunteering
in unique, wild and beautiful locations has been an adventure that both
Jeanette and I cherish. There is no pay, we volunteer our time, but on another
level we have been paid many times over.
You obviously have an advanced degree in wordsmithology, my friend. I am always amazed that what you write becomes a beautiful oil painting in my mind. You may never stop! (Please, that is!)
ReplyDeleteThanks Larry, I always enjoy and appreciate your comments. Jim
Deletewhere to next?? can't wait for the adventure to begin!
ReplyDeleteStephanie
Stephanie----home to Salem on Monday where we will hang around for a few months until the cold and rain of winter drives us south into California for a couple of months.
Delete