A walk

Yesterday in the afternoon, I was able to sneak away for a much need walk by myself.  Gracie hurt her front paw, maybe it's her big toes when she was chasing after the ball in the back yard.  So MIL was heading down for an afternoon nap and off I went.  I was schedule to do an all day Nature and Creativity class at Mayslake Peabody Estate in Oak Brook.  Low enrollment leads to cancellation of the class or course. So I was geared for it and did it by myself.   

The leaves were spread along the path, fallen from the storm and the after effect of the Cicadas. I picked up a few that were some what different in color and shape. All Oaks though.  Some pointed edges and some rounded.  And a few with the colors of fall. 

As I was creating the nature mandala a couple walked by and asked what's this?  I explained it's a nature mandala and you create it and let it be for the next one to see and allow the elements to play with it too.  How nice they said.... 

As I walked the tall grass prairie this group of grass caught my eye, dark flowers or seeds and the way the grass bends I had to snap a photo...love the around loop bend down ad a bit of it curled up.  Funny what one can be attracted to, right? 

Trying to figure out what the name is for this plant...caught a good photo of it.  Might be a Blue Balloon Wildflower? 

The shadows of the brush on the pea gravel path...the repetitive leaves always good to have a reference of that. 

The doe was so close to the edge of the path, I stood there for some time and even took a video of her munching away on all the greens.  No need to fear, gently she went about her needs and I witnessed it. 

I use to go to the woods at least 4 to 5 times a week...life changes things and you/I adjust to it...not happily though.  Finding my way back as a self-date and knowing how wonderful it makes me feel. I had to stop not because I was tired walking the almost 2 miles. No it was to stop and soak it all in, the tall might oaks to the way the land was stretched out.  Breathing in and out what beauty in the present moment I was awe stuck for sure.  I wasn't able to come back and bring this all to some creative act in the studio, instead I went to the kitchen and made a double batch of snicker doodles...Going to be babysitting little Freyja this week so Baba is ready, she's only 15 month old but got to have a cookie at Baba's house.