Early Morning

The hours between roughly 4 am and 9 am are my favorite. It is the most serene and tranquil part of the day. I get up and putz around my kitchen in the quiet darkness. I either turn on the coffeemaker or put water on to boil for the French Press. When the coffee is ready I sit quietly. It's just me alone with an uncluttered mind. The day's cacophony of junk hasn't invaded my space just yet. Sometimes I sit and just reflect, sometimes I watch where my mind wanders and enjoy the path, sometimes I read, or sometimes I write. In the wintertime I love to see the sun coming up and casting a bluish glow off o the snow and on to everything. Regardless of the season moving from darkness to the warm glow of sunrise is an intimacy that few take the time to appreciate. It's a very personal time that is a joy and a treasure.

Shinrin Yoku, Part 2

I just started reading this book my good friend Dan sent me. He knows me so well. It’s a fascinating look at how we not only need nature, but how nature and humans are equals. The Japanese concept of forest bathing is now being regarded as an integral part of our physical and spiritual balance. A fascinating and enlightening read!