I went running this afternoon. I remember looking at the sky when I began moving up the mountain and thinking to myself that it looked like it held snow. The sun had that muted look, like someone had pressed a blanket up against the brilliance of it. That’s one of my favorite feelings, you know? I like to turn on the bedroom lamp and make a little tent under the blanket with my arms and knees at awkward angles, the light can be so quiet and soft. The sky felt like that, like a quiet tent made of quilts and pillows. So, there I was down below that gentle quilted sunlight, choking a little bit on the icy wind and slowly warming up as I crossed the mountain, moving fast and testing my legs and lungs. I can’t recall what I was thinking about. I never remember what I think about when I’m running. I know I ponder things, I know I feel emotions, my mind isn’t blank and inoperative for miles and miles but I can’t remember the specifics. I think that’s why it’s so good for me. I had about four or five miles left of my run when it began to snow. Just gentle, aimless snowflakes coming to earth. My oh my, it was beautiful. But for the fast sighing of the wind in the forest, and the groaning of trees, all was quiet. I slowed to a walk while strolling through a particularly beautiful aspen stand and then came to a complete stop. I think God tapped me on the shoulder and said, “Look at this, over here, it will bring you joy.” So I turned around and looked and there was an immaculate and dainty nest, built of grasses, mud and horse hair, dangling from an aspen branch and it did bring me joy. It brought me joy. I snapped the branch and continued running in the snow,wind and quilted sunlight. All down the mountain I ran. In the distance I could see the East bench cloaked in swarms of snow flakes and to the range beyond, more flurries clattering like the crystal stemware in the sink after the feast at Christmastime.
{Because I often wonder what snowflakes sound like when they collide. Do you? I wonder about the sounds made by minute things. I bet snowflakes sound just like the clinking and winking of crystal goblets or the chime of a chandelier…I wonder if dogs can hear the music of snow?}
When I walked in the back door of the house, I took off my shoes, made myself a bit of supper and I found myself wondering about you and what you had seen today and of course, what brought you joy?
Now, as I sit typing, I see a furry, alabaster moth beating itself silly against the South facing window in this room. The house is creaking and settling in for a long cool night. I keep meaning to bundle up for a moment and pull some beets and carrots from the garden before it turns to dark outside. This is such a divine season. This is such a glorious season for curling up with good books and hot tea whilst wearing woolen sweaters. The snow is really coming on now, like a flock of trillions of sheep drifting down from the heavens. Fat like persian cats. As wide as my hands.
I’m utterly enchanted by November. How about you? Have a wonderful weekend all you sweet little chickens.
x
PS I didn’t have a headache today! Not at all. This weekend we’re gutting Isadora the Airstream trailer, I’ll be sure to photograph the drama for you!
Good evening lady plume! Did i tell you I have a thing for nests??? I have quit the collection going, and your beautiful little gift from the trees and birds is a mighty one!! It is just so perfect! What brought me joy today was, while driving on my way home today, I come up over this little pass, and the Rubys open up in all their glory, and on this day they are cover in snow and just the most beautiful ever….. Ever! Didn’t get a chance to see it up close and personal today, perhaps tomorrow! Thank you for sharing your day! So very lovely! Excited to hear and see about Isadora!! Hoping you have a beautiful weekend too! S.
I think I’ll be having a really lovely weekend! RW is coming home from the Owyhees right now and I can’t wait to smother him in my skinny arms! He’s been away on a mule deer hunt. As for the Ruby Mountains of yours, I have always loved them from a distance. RW hunted in them for Himalayan Snow Cock a few years ago and he says that up close, they are majestic and rugged. I can’t wait to explore them in person some day.
Have a beautiful weekend!
xx
knowing YOU brings me complete and utter joy.
here i am in snow.
there you are in snow.
all under God’s white heavens, Love snowing down upon us.
xx
…mine is melting.
Glorious. I so love those moments when you definitely remember getting “the tap”.
I do too.
I feel like I’m missing the season(s) here in San Sebastian – breathtaking ancient location but I do confess…I long for a home rather than an open suitcase till December.
I went for a hike yesterday carrying a heavy heart and busy mind – and while ploughing up with music in my ears…I was tapped on the shoulder! Looking out and down upon a city covered by thunderous clouds, the city clear, crisp, outlined to precision. Then a light breaking in the clouds where the suns soft light shone on me as to say- LOOK!
I’m glad your feeling well- love to you!
Sounds like a BEAUTIFUL shoulder tap!!!
Stay present and LOVE where you are for the time being. Home will wait for you.
x
so very glad that you are headache-free! the nest is a lovely find, and of course i’m particularly smitten by the inclusion of horsehair. we have been snow-bombed twice in a week’s time– 19 inches of heavy, wet, branch-cracking accumulation. we may be in for quite the white winter this year!
oh, and can’t wait to see the progress on isadora! SUCH fun!
I know you have been! The snow we were SUPPOSED to get during the week zipped right over us and fell on you instead. I suppose that makes you a SNOW THIEF!!!!! 🙂
Have a beautiful weekend, friend.x
You write beautifully. Your story of God tapping you on the shoulder is lovely. Made me tear up a bit! In a good way, of course. 🙂 Sometimes I get too involved in “doing” and forget to listen to that voice. Thank you for sharing your story.
Stella,
Thank you!
xx
I love November snowflakes! Haven’t had any yet, maybe tonight.
What treasure!
Today, I saw the Grand Canyon for the first time. The rims were just dusted in snow, and the bottom was verdant and flourishing. In between, the sandstone glowed and blushed in the morning light. That brought me great joy.
Love your post, as usual. Keep it up!
Beth
Your posts and photos bring me joy. Joy and wonderment. Thank you so much for sharing with us.
These days joy is brought to me by hot chocolate made directly after the morning milking is done, with honey,cocoa and cinnamon, a bareback ride on a sassy fat horse, a determined wade throught the river until my toes ache.
Have a glorious weekend. Can’t wait to see the Isa photos!
“The snow is really coming on now, like a flock of trillions of sheep drifting down from the heavens. Fat like persian cats. As wide as my hands.”
Oh my, you phrase it so beautifully. I love the way you write.
We haven’t seen any snow yet in my part of the world, but last year and the year before that we had a constant cover of white from late November through February and several snow storms as well. Weather is almost never wild here in Denmark, so I must say, I enjoyed it immensely 🙂
Another thing that makes me happy is our 6 months old puppy and her fondness of water. She took a swim in the bog – which is our favorite place to walk her – the other day. It must’ve been really, really cold but she (and we) had so much fun.
I hope your weekend was filled with happy dogs and sweet kisses.
I love your new Airstream, can’t wait to se the snaps.
I aspire to see the world as you do–to really take the time to engage in the simple pleasures, question, and become absorbed by the world around me. To LISTEN. Thank you for inspiring me to do that.
And I simply love Tater–such a handsome fellow!
And I really can’t wait to see photos of Isadora!!
just discovered your blog – love the cadence of your words and the accompanying dreamy pics. thanks for bringing us along on your mountain run, sounds perfect (well, okay, except for the running part, not my thing!).
Absolutely lovely~~
I am so happy I’ve found your words + photos. You write like my heart thinks + it’s such a joyful experience to read your words. I too found a nest just a few days ago–almost exactly the same. I sketched it here: http://bit.ly/s4yf4Q
I too am a runner… but you sound like you’re a big-time distance runner. “only four or five miles left.” How far do you typically run?
I’m not really a big-time distance runner. I run until I am in a space that brings me tranquility. Some days that is 3 miles. Usually it’s 10. On my mountain, ten miles takes up up and around the cusp of a false summit and into a beautiful and fragrant juniper stand and then further still into aspen groves and maple stands before I follow my creek down. I really just run far because I want to see those spaces. 🙂
I can’t say that I am enchanted with November… but I am enchanted by your words today. Thanks for taking us along on your snowy mountain run. I can see the snowflakes tinkling against each other in my mind and its a nice image.
p.s. guess what? I’m home now. yay.
D!
Glad you’re home!
Get well quick!
xx
Just found your blog, such stunning photos and wonderful words x
THANK YOU!
Thank you all for these wonderful comments!