Today has been a little hectic, with a small respite near the end of the day. On Wednesdays, in the afternoon, the 7th, 8th, 10th and 11th grades get to choose a class. There was the creation of a CEC newspaper, a theatre one, a trail sign making one, home electronics, organic gardening and a field guide for young children with Anna (and me). Each class session we will begin with a nature walk and journal. Today we walked to the “river”. At least that is what the kids here call it. It is little more than a creek (I’ll try to post pictures). However it was the most glorious place ever. It is likely to become one of my favorite places ever. We each did a nature journal, and for those of you who know me, I jumped at that chance! The goal is to try to observe nature, plants, animals, insects etc, which we can then use to make a guide to the Cloud Forest aimed at younger children. I rediscovered the art of leaf rubbings. Some of the plants here have fantastic venation, perfect for rubbings! I thought you might like to hear some of the things I wrote while sitting on a large rock in the middle of the happy creek:
“A bubbling stream and falling water sound in my ears. The gentle rustle of the leaves as the wind rushes through the trees. Life couldn’t be much better than this.”
“Vines creep up the trunks of the other trees, trying to reach the top in hopes of a glimpse of pure sunlight, un-impeded by the attempts of other greenery.”
One of the assignments for the students was to think about what animal from the Cloud Forest they would be. This is what I chose:
“I would probably be a Emerald Toucanet, with bright colors and a strong outer presence. However, on the inside I am just soft and lovey. I fly though the glorious trees, with the clean air beneath my wings and I am free. The forest is my home and I treasure it in my heart.”
It was fantastic to be able to just sit there for half an hour and absorb the spirit of the forest. Letting it become part of me, feeling myself become part of the forest. I have a feeling I will grow to love this place, and when I go home, I may feel like part of me is being left behind.
Hugs,
K
I know how you feel, in a way. Tilikum is that place for me. There is such a calm that you find from being surrounded in beautiful nature. I still feel that there is a part of me that is never fully real unless I am at Tilikum.
ReplyDeleteI like the journal entries! :-)