This morning, with the snow flying, and the yard still fairly fresh from pawprints (only a few deer prints), I put on my boots, gloves, toasty-warm coat, and hat, and walked out in my yard to fill the bird feeders and let the dogs run and wrestle. I then stood by the little running creek in the back and let the snow cover my coat.

This is my third winter of retirement, and after 33 years of commuting 90-95 miles roundtrip to work, with dread in my soul when the weather prediction was snow, I can now fully enjoy and indulge myself in its beauty. I never tire of it.

Dee

It's almost always in the garden. Now that I have a serious vegetable garden, I find myself going there to self-medicate nearly every day. When I miss a day, I feel it. When things get tough, I have a place to go and calm myself. There is something about the combination of my own work and determination, along with the miracle of nature and the way plants just want to live, that sustains me.

I have moments of connection like this spending time with my husband, too. When he joins me in the garden, it is double happiness.

:-)

I have found that when I'm near water, the beach or a stream, it is when I find my inner Nirvana. Someone said that the ocean has negative ions that positively affect our well being, and I think there is something to that.

Tomorrow, despite the cold and rain, I am going out in the field to be near water. I need it desperately...hiking out in the woods, hearing the rush of the water, I think that may help to bring a tiny bit of balance back into my life.

What a nice post.

I am often most comforted when I first pull back the covers and snuggle into bed fairly early in the evening, book in hand. It's so warm and cozy and I know that after I enjoy reading for awhile, sleep will come. The older I get, the more I really love a good night's sleep. Is that odd -- to feel that "all is well" when simply going about the routine act of settling in for the night?

I know what you mean about the rush. I really can get in the zone running and listening to my ipod. The harder the music, the harder I run. I feel great when doing it and I just love the come down afterwards. Someday I'm hoping to be able to do that again.

I really enjoy those beautiful spring days or summer evenings, sitting outside.

In my garden, time stands still. I'll go down for a single specific reason - just to check the tomato that was almost ripe yesterday- when I get consumed by the flowers that need water. Two hours later, I'm still doing what 'needs' to be done... Lost in the garden while everything else waits.

When my grandbaby's face lights up when he sees me (he's 14 mo. old) and he reaches out his arms for me to pick him up or take him from his mom or dad. There is nothing like it.

I have an extremely strong need (and it is a need, not jut a desire) to sit in beauty, by myself, and just soak it in. I don't get so much a high as this kind of incredible peace that's spiritually healing for me. Something I need to keep myself in harmony.
Over the Christmas Season, I get it by sitting in our living room near the lit tree. These days, I enjoy sitting there just looking out the windows at "our" mountain or I'll light a fire in the fireplace. Once it gets warm enough to sit outside, it's in my garden or on our front portal (covered porch). Although we live in the mountains and have several acres of land that I can walk, I can't get it that way because I have to constantly look down where I'm walking so that I don't step on a rattler or bump into a cactus. BUT, when we're on Lake Huron in Michigan for our summer vacations, I get that same feeling as I walk along the beach in the early mornings or evenings. I tell my family that it's like vitamins for my soul.
Lynn

Yes, trailrunner. I had two bike rides this summer where everything was perfect: the day's responsibilities were done, wonderful 72 degrees, beautiful sunny day, low humidity, little traffic, and I had boundless energy for 42 miles of effortless bliss in lovely Westchester/Fairfield Counties.

Then other days you fight every mile, lol!

Glad to hear you had a great run on the trails. Here's to more of 'em!

I agree, it is a nice post. For me it's being outdoors and just soaking in my surroundings. Boating, hiking, driving through out mountain area, working in my flower beds or veggie garden, or just sitting out back in our favorite spot, enjoying the wildlife and scenery. At that moment, I feel at peace and like all is well in my little world.

This time of year, not so many outdoor activities although I must have some time outside each day, but coming in to a nice fire, or candles burning, a cozy afghan - just slowing down and enjoying the moment, especially if I'm rushed or stressed at work!

And of course, sharing all this with the man and the pup is a must! I'm at a point in my life where I really appreciate being content.

tina

Ah, what a lovely topic.

Auntjen, I also love that feeling of ending the day climbing into bed to read. Knowing that everything around me is safe, secure and in place.

I love when we are all together at dinner, the kids are there, my MIL (who lives alone and comes to share Sunday dinners weekly), my husband-listening to my family talk and laugh just makes me feel so comforted and as the years go by, more and more I have that little "remember and treasure this moment" sentiment when I find myself in those times. As Carly Simon sang 'these are the good old days'.

And water too is a source of deep happiness for me just as others have mentioned. I am completely a water person. Respectfully to those who have other loves, mountains, desert, those don't move me. It is the water, especially the ocean. I'm blessed to live with a man who shares that passion and who also loves to explore quiet, untrodden corners of our region. I think of sitting somewhere in the back country Everglades at a picnic area with nobody anywhere near, no noise or imprint of man at all just the beauty of blue skies, quiet water, and trees, flowers and mangroves that haven't been touched by anything but nature...those moments give me memories I hang onto when life is stressful.

Sitting on the shore listening to the waves lap on the beach or the rocks, again all alone and with nothing but the sky and the water to see. On the boat, not another soul in view, looking at the point where the ocean meets the horizon on one of those perfect Florida summer days when you can't see the dividing line. Snorkeling in clear warm water seeing the gorgeous fish and life underneath the ocean fluttering against a white sand background. Those are all the moments I treasure, when I feel most alive.

Trailrunner, I think you should expand on your post and write an article. Runner's World or Spirituality & Health magazines might be places to send it for publication.

You write beautifully. I am not a runner or athlete by any stretch of the imagination, but you connected with me, had me riveted, I was there with you!

How about a blog? You have talent lady, and so many interesting things to write about!

Thanks for sharing.

What a joy to read of the moments in each of your lives. The sharing is so special and I felt I was gazing at the mountains,working in a garden , watching the stream as it flows....hearing a puppy bark...all of it brought me closer to each of you.

You are too kind stinky....but I thank you and each of you for sharing my day with me.

DH and I are in NYC now for a week. We love to look for trails to run/walk wherever we go. We also bike together. He is definitely my " better half". He completes my soul. We run in Central Park every day when here. The Ramble is a small piece of "wildness"in the midst of the city. As I pass a stream or hear bird song I will think of you all. Thank you. c

Very nice topic, indeed!

My "corner of the world" is always at night. Like Jen, I love going to bed early (which is why I loathe daylight savings time!), big dog with me, husband in next room watching a manly man's movie, and I'm watching TV shows I've recorded or read a book. And nibble on junk food.

If I don't go to bed early, I've found that winter time here is perfect for my soul. I know people are probably tired of hearing about my monster fireplace, lol, but it has brought so much joy to our lives. DH and I turn the lights off, have a big fire going and watching tv and/or reading. While the pets are all sprawled on our laps or furniture.

Now that my dh set up his law office here, he keeps the fire going just for me in the daytime. I love him. :)

What a lovely post! Inspiring!

I love to go hiking with my dh. I especially like to find a natural place with some changes in elevation...(hard to do in this part of Texas.) Such peace and joy.

I've also felt those moments while riding my horse or trying to absorb the incredible beauty of the flowers in my yard.

I can also get that deep, deep joyful satisfaction from creating...writing, working with stained glass, or sewing. I have to be mindful and focused...and that gives my mind a rest.

It's been cold here and I'm a wimp when it comes to cold. But tomorrow I'll be outside getting a good hard walk in...I need that endorphin boost.

Thanks for the inspiration.

A few summers ago, I was sitting on our back deck; my husband was grilling dinner and our son was playing nearby. It was a perfect summer evening in June; my garden was quietly beautiful, and I remember thinking--this moment, right now, is pure happiness; this is as good as it gets. I stayed out there for several hours that evening, past the time the fireflies emerged, savoring the simple richness of that experience.

My license plate frame says "I'd rather be kayaking". That about sums it up. There is nothing like being alone on the water, especially early in the morning, soaking in the stillness of it all. Knowing that the only sounds out there is the sound of your paddle as it comes out of the water, and distant gulls.

Jo

Enjoy your time in NYC! Running in the park - sounds like you are having a grand old time!!

We had one of those special days yesterday. Spent much of the day antiquing in a nearby city - enjoying the drive as it was a beautiful day. Enjoyed sharing one of our favorite hobbies together, yet also enjoyed walking through the old part of the city enjoying outside too. Then topped it off with dinner at a favorite italian restaurant . . . . bliss!

tina (who also thinks you should write!)

Seconded, stinky...

And as to your question, trailrunner: I do feel absolutely and reliably 'in the zone' when I'm gardening, although sometimes less now because of aches and pains...but time just disappears.

But I had a different one of those experiences just last week. DD and I go swimming together in the daytime, taking advantage of her free homeschooling schedule (for the last year! She's going to high school next year! *sigh*) and on Wednesday, we went to our local pool, as usual, for lap swim. The pool had been closed over the winter break for repairs, and had just reopened a week before. We assumed that all the regular seniors who lap-swam during that same time would be back with us. The odd thing was, though, that *no one* was there. When we got out to the pool, there was a guard climbing into a chair *because* we were coming out! The pool was just sitting there, glistening with a little movement from the circulation, the sun sparkling on it through the glass back wall, and the *intense* blue sky out the other side. You could see the bottom of the pool *perfectly*.

DD almost didn't dare break the perfection, but she decided to do it big and go off the board. She said that jumping into the pool when it was that still was the strangest experience -- she hit the water much faster than she expected, as she couldn't really tell where it was. I slid in to the nice warm water (around 86) and we pretty much just gallivanted around for a long time, watching our normal strokes make particular wakes unaffected by other swimmers, doing water running and just ecstatically taking it all in.

We had our entire swim by ourselves (well, shared with the guard -- even he said it was a *perfect* experience just watching us enjoy it so much!) on a rare, gorgeous, sunny PNW winter day. And this is the last winter we'll be able to do it. This kind of time with my DD will be part of our past.

Oh you ALL have such lovely moments and you each write so eloquently ! I can " be " there with you ....gardening, or listening to the crickets at dusk...I can just smell the barbq and see the glistening water in the pool and hear the joyous laughter.

What a gift I have received from each of you...thank you so much. I look forward to more of these heartfelt memories.

We have been out each day in the park. If you can picture the contrast of the busy street leading to the park. We walk along and the taxis are honking and the snow is DIRTY and melting along the street. There are lots of people walking and talking on their cell phones. We cross at 7th AVE and Central Park South and jog into this amazing expanse of white pristine snow. The sun shines and the air is crisp and as we circle toward the East side we leave the horse drawn carriages and the ped cabs behind. We stay on the cleared road until we get to the reservoir. We cut up to it and then we are in heaven. There is almost no one up here . They have not cleared the running path so it is packed snow. Slippery in the middle and piled up soft clean snow on the sides . The surface of the reservoir is frozen in many places part of the center and all along the edges. The fountain is spraying and as I look back to my left to watch it the sun hits the spray and there is a rainbow !!! It is so beautiful. I run slowly as it is slippery . DH takes his time and is back behind. My breath puffs out in clouds and my shoes make squeaky sounds in the snow. I hear this rattling sound and can't figure out where it is coming from. I look onto the ice and see many leaves blowing across the frozen expanse....tumbling and whirling and spinning they make the most wonderful sound...my own percussion section to accompany my run. The solitude of this space is so special. I look back and see DH as he moves along. He really has to watch his footing but he too loves this spot so when I ask him what route to take , each day he says," the usual". He is a good sport :)

The bridal path is very packed snow and every day I watch a few intrepid souls on xcountry skis as they glide silently along. I nice way to see the park. I wish I had some. Maybe next year.

Today there are lots of families out enjoying the snowy slopes . There are so many children with their sleds and you can hear the laughter and squeals and shouts of joy as they glide down the hills . One more moment to savor.

We leave the park and walk to the Golds Gym. We are lucky that is is 2 blocks from DB's apt and we have our passes from home that let us use it for free. I have friends here and they are always so sweet when we come in the door..." there's Alabama " they say ! Nice to be remembered and acknowledged. On my birthday last month when we were here they made us huge fruit shakes as a gift.

Lots of small joys....I think that is what each of you is expressing. It is the linking of these moments that make our lives what they are . The good and the bad. Thank you for sharing...I see the world through your eyes now also. c

Kayaking, jojoco! Your brief description just took me out of January in the snow-bound Northeast. Talk about evoking longing for a summer day on the water... Thanks for the winter respite.

When we lived down South, we used go canoeing in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. More of a float trip than real canoeing, but great fun, and oh, so beautiful.

Here is a link that might be useful: Ozark National Scenic Riverways