Nature’s gifts
Whether from a walk around my neighborhood, on a hike in the woods, or stepping out into my backyard, nature is often trying to catch my attention. And so I listen.
Here are a few of my encounters.
Seed pod clusters coming into my view just so, as a breeze jostles them in front of me (false acacia seed pods).
In the middle of a long hike in the deep woods, I notice a fallen branch with many spiky points (the inside remains of tulip poplar tree seed pods).
Noticing the color, that particular range of color, of fallen dried leaves as I approach them on my back patio (yoshino cherry tree).
In the middle of the sidewalk I almost step on them and it stops me in my tracks, ready for me to pick them up already (redbud tree seed pods).
A pile of branches on the street for yard waste pick up, but it’s too many for me to pick up, so I settle on a handful to save (ginkgo tree branch with pods).
Often times I see something I’m not used to – and I’m asked to get close, hold it in my hands, and feel the awkwardness even – to truly see just how beautifully unique it is.
There are a couple of huge old trees on our street near our house. I haven’t yet figured out which tree is giving me these gifts – small branches with long dark-ended golden needles.
A low hanging branch with long feathery seed pods almost out of reach, until they are curiously not. When I brought them home, after a few days they uncurled and unfurled and opened up.
In listening to nature, I receive her gifts. In receiving her gifts, I honor what I gather in reciprocity.
Some of nature’s gifts are photographed and highlighted and I share them, like here for others to enjoy their beauty. Some are made into healing chimes and wands and bundles, moving onward to different forms and as keepsakes for others. Some become part of my permanent collection, too fragile for making but become my companions. In time, some just decompose and I ceremoniously bury them in my compost.
Nature is always trying to catch our attention. What are you noticing?
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