I don't have any photos to share just yet, but I had some amazing Vit N experiences I wrote about yesterday that I wanted to share!
"This afternoon I was just leaving the park and I saw something out of the corner of my eye. Running out of the trees -- about 100 m from my house -- and towards the highway was a beautiful big grizzly bear! It was Grizzly 116, a just-older-than-teenage male grizz that's been hanging around the area. I think he's the guy that pooped in between me and my neighbour's house. He was a nice rich brown colour with blond highlights, and a massive hump of muscle at his shoulders! Totally amazing. The wind was blowing through his fur and he just looked so wild. I felt so blessed!
The wind here today has been absolutely nutbar. So I decided to go for an evening walk. With my bear spray of course. The wind was whipping from all directions. Big tall pine trees were leaning away from it and the trembling aspens were bent over with the power of the wind. Not 50 meters from the house I saw the first downed tree...ripped up from its roots! You know the saying "If a tree falls in the forest, does anybody hear?". Well a little later, I heard a tree crack! And then heard the sound of it crashing into the trees around it. And then there was the grass...probably my favourite part of the evening. Swirling, dancing, flattening, flipping, twisting...if it weren't for the chill I could have watched it for hours. I felt so vibrant, alive and supercharged!!! Wahoo!!!"
*Apparently 7 large trees came down in the campground last night...if the wind got any stronger they were thinking of evacuating sections of the campground!
Showing posts with label Outdoors/Nature. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Outdoors/Nature. Show all posts
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
My first book review!
More Vitamin N(ature)
Here's a recent schwack of photos that I took whilst on a walk in my favourite meadow. On my return walk, I decided to do some coyote walking. I was introduced to this for the first time this spring at our seasonal training workshop and I have fully embraced the concept! For those of you who've never tried it, "coyote walking" means taking off your shoes and socks, lowering your center of gravity a bit by bending your knees slightly, holding your arms slightly out from your body and keeping your gaze on the horizon; then you start walking in the direction of your gaze by feeling the ground with your feet and moving forward slowly and deliberately. It is wonderful. You end up feeling so connected to the earth and you're moving slowly enough that you're able to appreciate the feel of the breeze and the sun on your face, the scent of the damp earth beneath your feet, each sensation under your toes...try it sometime. You'd be amazed!
Enjoy the dose of vitamins!
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Daily dose of Vitamin N
I have been working on another nature-related project of late as well. A friend of mine had been lamenting the "lack" of nature and wild things in his life, especially during a time of hectic schedules, rehearsals and gigs. So I took it upon myself to be his personal conduit with good 'ole Nature - sending him daily photos of something nature-related while he was so busy. Well what was just supposed to last a week or so has been going on for about 4 weeks now and has had amazing results. My friend really looks forward to his daily vitamins, and I have found that I am so excited about sharing the natural world around me...I am looking at my world in a new way. I'm finding the beauty in little details, in the little amazements I find every day. My buddy has also starting finding some nature moments in his own life and has begun sharing them with me too.
I'm reading Richard Louv's latest book, "The Nature Principle", and it talks about how sometimes technology can be a conduit to getting outside and exploring for yourself. Well in that spirit, I'm using the interweb to share some of my Vitamin N moments with the rest of you. Get out and be amazed by the little wonders around you...you don't need to be on an African Safari or in a Provincial Park to be awed by Nature!
I'm reading Richard Louv's latest book, "The Nature Principle", and it talks about how sometimes technology can be a conduit to getting outside and exploring for yourself. Well in that spirit, I'm using the interweb to share some of my Vitamin N moments with the rest of you. Get out and be amazed by the little wonders around you...you don't need to be on an African Safari or in a Provincial Park to be awed by Nature!
"Our goal should be to live life in radical amazement, to look at the world in a way that takes nothing for granted. Everything is phenomenal; everything is incredible; to be spiritual is to be constantly amazed."
~ Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel
Earth Day Resolution 2011
I've got worms.
No, I haven't discovered some parasite that inhabited my bowels while I traveled in India...I've made the leap to vermicomposting! I had been hesitant in the past because of the perceived commitment they would require, but this year I decided it was time. I end up throwing all of my veggie/fruit waste as I can't do an outdoor compost here in the park (it's a wildlife attractant), and I was getting sad about the amount of "good" worm-food that I was throwing out.
So now I have my very own population of red wrigglers, ready to take on the fruit and veggie scraps that might otherwise be thrown out. A friend of mine is somewhat of a vermicomposting expert, so I went to visit her to get the wormy low-down.
So here I go, another year of learning and growing and doing what I can to make my footprint on this planet a little smaller. If any of you would like to learn more about worm-composting, the Biosphere Insititute of the Bow Valley - Worm Composting site has lots of great information on setting up your own worm bin. As my worms start churning out some deliciously hearty dirt, I'll take some photos to add to the blog.
On a somewhat related note: Right when I arrived home with my worm bin, my partner of two years got down on one knee and asked me to marry him! To make a long story short, I said YES! and we're planning to get married this fall. Yay love and stuff!
No, I haven't discovered some parasite that inhabited my bowels while I traveled in India...I've made the leap to vermicomposting! I had been hesitant in the past because of the perceived commitment they would require, but this year I decided it was time. I end up throwing all of my veggie/fruit waste as I can't do an outdoor compost here in the park (it's a wildlife attractant), and I was getting sad about the amount of "good" worm-food that I was throwing out.
So now I have my very own population of red wrigglers, ready to take on the fruit and veggie scraps that might otherwise be thrown out. A friend of mine is somewhat of a vermicomposting expert, so I went to visit her to get the wormy low-down.
So here I go, another year of learning and growing and doing what I can to make my footprint on this planet a little smaller. If any of you would like to learn more about worm-composting, the Biosphere Insititute of the Bow Valley - Worm Composting site has lots of great information on setting up your own worm bin. As my worms start churning out some deliciously hearty dirt, I'll take some photos to add to the blog.
On a somewhat related note: Right when I arrived home with my worm bin, my partner of two years got down on one knee and asked me to marry him! To make a long story short, I said YES! and we're planning to get married this fall. Yay love and stuff!
Friday, April 22, 2011
Happy Earth Day!
A year of living outside...wow!
My Earth Day resolution this past year was to spend a half-hour of mindful time outside every single day...no matter what the weather, no matter where I happened to be, and my walk/bike to work didn't count. Well here we are, one year later and I DID IT!!
Out of 365 days, I missed 4: 2 were sick days, 2 were travel days while I was going to and coming from India. Many of the days I spent much more than a half-hour outside, but it was always at least a half an hour.
Hardest part = time. For me it was generally never an issue of wanting to be outside, it was more to do with making the time to do so. Whether squeezing in a walk/run at lunchtime, or trying to get one in after work, before supper, and before going into town for some band practice or yoga class...making time has taken dedication.
Even on days when the weather was cold, drizzly, or downright nasty...I knew I would always feel more grounded, connected, and joyful after some time outside. There have been so many highlights this past year, so I'll only share a few here.
It's now become an ingrained habit for me to spend a minimum amount of time outside everyday. By the end of those days where I was sick and stayed inside, I was itching to get out! I have a feeling that I want to keep this resolution for the rest of my life. As for this year's Earth Day resolution...I'm still working on it, so stay tuned!
Love to you, to the earth and to the sky!
My Earth Day resolution this past year was to spend a half-hour of mindful time outside every single day...no matter what the weather, no matter where I happened to be, and my walk/bike to work didn't count. Well here we are, one year later and I DID IT!!
Out of 365 days, I missed 4: 2 were sick days, 2 were travel days while I was going to and coming from India. Many of the days I spent much more than a half-hour outside, but it was always at least a half an hour.
Hardest part = time. For me it was generally never an issue of wanting to be outside, it was more to do with making the time to do so. Whether squeezing in a walk/run at lunchtime, or trying to get one in after work, before supper, and before going into town for some band practice or yoga class...making time has taken dedication.
Even on days when the weather was cold, drizzly, or downright nasty...I knew I would always feel more grounded, connected, and joyful after some time outside. There have been so many highlights this past year, so I'll only share a few here.
- feeling more grounded and connected to the world around me
- listening to the wind through the grass
- a dark, and rainy night walk...with only my headlamp and imagination for company
- walking amidst a flock of Cedar Waxwings...flying about as though one morphing organism...shrinking, growing, moving, shifting, shaping
- long, wandering, exploring walks through markets, back streets, monastery grounds, side roads and hills of India
- getting home from India and feeling blessed to live where the air is fresh to breath and the ground is clean
- impromptu snow-angels
- connecting with the people I care about by being outside
- hugging a tree
- seeing all sorts of animal tracks
- finding a place where I take the time to reflect...in spending that time outside I found a certain spaciousness where I could often work through issues, give thanks, or think big thought
It's now become an ingrained habit for me to spend a minimum amount of time outside everyday. By the end of those days where I was sick and stayed inside, I was itching to get out! I have a feeling that I want to keep this resolution for the rest of my life. As for this year's Earth Day resolution...I'm still working on it, so stay tuned!Love to you, to the earth and to the sky!
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Who has seen the wind...
The words of Christina Rossetti's poem - narrated by the little voice of my four-year-old friend Ruthie - echoes in my ear this evening as I return from a windy walk in the dark. Not to be deterred from spending some quality time with Mother Nature, I donned my toque and borrowed my neighbour's headlamp to head out into the windy darkness after a day of indoor meetings. The wind was amazing...pushing, pulling, surprising me from all angles tonight. As I shut my headlamp off for the last portion of my walk I could make out the silhouettes of big powerful spruce trees being bent by the wind.
It seems as though this winter has been particularly windy: drifts blocking our driveways, pushing our cars sideways on the road, ripping the window right off our office building and whisking snow out of the park in a matter of a day! I thought about the awesome power of the wind during my walk and our sometimes derogatory comments when it gets particularly blustery, yet how it is an integral part of this "Blow Valley" that I call home; the following quote came to mind.
It seems as though this winter has been particularly windy: drifts blocking our driveways, pushing our cars sideways on the road, ripping the window right off our office building and whisking snow out of the park in a matter of a day! I thought about the awesome power of the wind during my walk and our sometimes derogatory comments when it gets particularly blustery, yet how it is an integral part of this "Blow Valley" that I call home; the following quote came to mind.
Philosophy of Wind ~ Lyall Watson
"...the most common and readily accessible experience of otherness and togetherness, of being involved in something very big and very strange, is that of being blown by the wind...
You are touched by something invisible, something that bends trees and makes strange sounds. It throws the ocean into confusion, whips up fantastic froths of cloud and carries off a desert in its arms. And yet it communicates directly and intimately with you. You can feel its effects deep inside."
Monday, November 29, 2010
Getting outside...
Wow! It has been a while since I've updated this blog. But here I am once more. 218 days since my resolution was made and I have been surprised at how easy it has become to get outside. Alas though, I must confess...Days 211 and 212 were the first time that I did not make my 30 minutes outside. And no, it was not because of the -39.3 degree morning (without windchill), nor was it a lack of time. I got ousted by a yucky 24-hour bug that had me shivering in bed with a fever, preventing me from enjoying my precious time in the winter wonderland that is Bow Valley Provincial Park. By the end of Day 212, I think I had some kind of cabin fever and even just getting outside and into my car to drive to town was exciting. On Day 213, even with a windchill of -30, I bundled up and finally got in a walk in the park! Oh to breath the fresh air, to feel the whip of the wind on my cheeks and to have that glorious tingle all over when I got back inside...
I'm realizing more and more just how grounding it is when I am able to spend that mindful time outside. I am thankful to be healthy once again!
I'm realizing more and more just how grounding it is when I am able to spend that mindful time outside. I am thankful to be healthy once again!
Friday, June 11, 2010
Getting my butt kicked!
The goal of spending 1/2 an hour outside each day has been going quite well I must say. I'm learning to appreciate every kind of weather...even this cold, rainy stuff that just doesn't seem to want to let up. It's amazing how much greener the trees and the grasses look against the backdrop of a stormy sky. The sound of the highway seems dampened with the low-hanging clouds while at the same time, the call of the white-crowned sparrow is amplified. If you are wearing the appropriate clothing, traipsing about in the rain is actually VERY refreshing.
I decided to try a more organized form of outdoor activity last night...a running group. I thought I might be even more motivated to get out on the running trails if I had a group to run with, but having never run with a group before I was a little apprehensive. Plus, I'd learn some new routes and trails to try out on my own.
What I didn't think about, was that this was a Canmore running group. Right. The town where everyone and their dog either rock climbs, skis (the Olympians train here for crying out loud!), hikes, bikes, trail runs, bags peaks, and any other kind of physical activity you can think of. Needless to say, I forgot that little detail. I met up with the group in downtown Canmore, 4 lovely and friendly ladies...3 of them over 45. But right away, I knew I was in for a workout.
We ran for about an hour, me huffing and puffing my way behind these uber-ladies, them patiently waiting for me at the top of each hill, checking in to make sure I wasn't going to keel over and then continuing on. They were super encouraging and despite feeling like a was a little in over my head, I was able to breathe in the scent of the damp earth of the trail, hear the call of the ruby-crowned kinglet singing from a tree top, and marvel at the lush greens resulting from all the rain. I was even able to carry on a somewhat stilted conversation with a couple of the ladies. And the best part is that I felt so completely, vibrantly aware and ALIVE afterwards! We'll see how it works for me to continue with this, but the ladies have all said I should come back next week and keep it up. :)
On a different, but somewhat related note...
I came across this article this morning. If you needed any other reasons get away from that office chair, or couch or computer desk....here you go!
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2010/06/10/sitting-health-physiology.html
Get up, go outside and breathe!! Mother Nature is simply awesome!
I decided to try a more organized form of outdoor activity last night...a running group. I thought I might be even more motivated to get out on the running trails if I had a group to run with, but having never run with a group before I was a little apprehensive. Plus, I'd learn some new routes and trails to try out on my own.
What I didn't think about, was that this was a Canmore running group. Right. The town where everyone and their dog either rock climbs, skis (the Olympians train here for crying out loud!), hikes, bikes, trail runs, bags peaks, and any other kind of physical activity you can think of. Needless to say, I forgot that little detail. I met up with the group in downtown Canmore, 4 lovely and friendly ladies...3 of them over 45. But right away, I knew I was in for a workout.
We ran for about an hour, me huffing and puffing my way behind these uber-ladies, them patiently waiting for me at the top of each hill, checking in to make sure I wasn't going to keel over and then continuing on. They were super encouraging and despite feeling like a was a little in over my head, I was able to breathe in the scent of the damp earth of the trail, hear the call of the ruby-crowned kinglet singing from a tree top, and marvel at the lush greens resulting from all the rain. I was even able to carry on a somewhat stilted conversation with a couple of the ladies. And the best part is that I felt so completely, vibrantly aware and ALIVE afterwards! We'll see how it works for me to continue with this, but the ladies have all said I should come back next week and keep it up. :)
On a different, but somewhat related note...
I came across this article this morning. If you needed any other reasons get away from that office chair, or couch or computer desk....here you go!
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2010/06/10/sitting-health-physiology.html
Get up, go outside and breathe!! Mother Nature is simply awesome!
Friday, May 21, 2010
Gifts...
Day 25 and still going strong.
The last few days have been pretty busy and tiring at work and when I got home from work today I crawled right into bed for a little power nap. When I awoke, the coziness of my bed seemed so much more comfortable than stepping out the door. The wind has been howling through the valley for the past few days -- whipping and whirling about -- which makes going outside slightly less welcoming.
However, I donned my toque and scarf and headed out. I was rewarded a thousand-fold for my outdoor venture! Mother Nature put on the most beautiful display for me today. As I made my way from the lake back towards home, I was greeted by the magenta hues of the Shooting Star...bursting forth from the green grass. The crocuses are of course everywhere, and the other fuzzy flowers are starting to bloom too! Locoweed and showy locoweed...and even some Old Man's Whiskers. All of these wonders aside, the thing that absolutely made my day today was discovering a patch of Rock Jasmine. I fell to my hands and knees immediately to inhale the most beautiful scent. I think I could have lain there for a few hours were it not for the biting wind. It's like having an old friend return to the neighbourhood...I think I may have even exclaimed out loud with glee at seeing the perfectly tiny white blossoms.
So I have been gifted this evening. A little wander outside always turns into something more, and my soul awakens a little bit more every time.
The last few days have been pretty busy and tiring at work and when I got home from work today I crawled right into bed for a little power nap. When I awoke, the coziness of my bed seemed so much more comfortable than stepping out the door. The wind has been howling through the valley for the past few days -- whipping and whirling about -- which makes going outside slightly less welcoming.
However, I donned my toque and scarf and headed out. I was rewarded a thousand-fold for my outdoor venture! Mother Nature put on the most beautiful display for me today. As I made my way from the lake back towards home, I was greeted by the magenta hues of the Shooting Star...bursting forth from the green grass. The crocuses are of course everywhere, and the other fuzzy flowers are starting to bloom too! Locoweed and showy locoweed...and even some Old Man's Whiskers. All of these wonders aside, the thing that absolutely made my day today was discovering a patch of Rock Jasmine. I fell to my hands and knees immediately to inhale the most beautiful scent. I think I could have lain there for a few hours were it not for the biting wind. It's like having an old friend return to the neighbourhood...I think I may have even exclaimed out loud with glee at seeing the perfectly tiny white blossoms.
So I have been gifted this evening. A little wander outside always turns into something more, and my soul awakens a little bit more every time.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Day 11 -- Breathing Deep!
Another day of mindful time outside. I was out for a nice run/walk with C after work today and now I've got my cat curled up on my lap while I type...the computer keeps getting pushed further and further off my lap as Atticus gets comfortable!
Funny how some days its more than easy to be outside for hours...and others we find a million and one excuses not to spend a measly half hour in the great outdoors.
Like yesterday for example. Having been at our seasonal training workshop for three days, I arrived back to Bow Valley only to head straight to the office and spend the last few hours of the work day at my computer (ugh). I had my van of music gear and sleepover stuff to unload, a somewhat decent supper to make and needed to be leaving the house at 7pm to get to band practice on time yet I knew I still had my half hour to put in for the day. I thought "oh I spent lots of time outside the last 3 days, maybe that could just carry over." What?! No way...not allowed. So the minute I got home I just dropped all of my stuff, got bundled up and headed outside.
It was exactly what I needed. The brisk fresh air, a few flakes of snow and the moment of peace I felt as soon as I started walking were worth more than I originally thought. Not to mention the three elk I met along my way and the red squirrel I had a little staring contest with!
And when I got home, the un-packing was done, supper was made and I arrived into town with a few minutes to spare before my band practice. So far I'm being continually reminded that outdoor time, time in nature, breathing deep and being mindful is so valuable to my well-being. Thanks for that reminder Mother Nature (and Happy Mother's Day too!)
Funny how some days its more than easy to be outside for hours...and others we find a million and one excuses not to spend a measly half hour in the great outdoors.
Like yesterday for example. Having been at our seasonal training workshop for three days, I arrived back to Bow Valley only to head straight to the office and spend the last few hours of the work day at my computer (ugh). I had my van of music gear and sleepover stuff to unload, a somewhat decent supper to make and needed to be leaving the house at 7pm to get to band practice on time yet I knew I still had my half hour to put in for the day. I thought "oh I spent lots of time outside the last 3 days, maybe that could just carry over." What?! No way...not allowed. So the minute I got home I just dropped all of my stuff, got bundled up and headed outside.
It was exactly what I needed. The brisk fresh air, a few flakes of snow and the moment of peace I felt as soon as I started walking were worth more than I originally thought. Not to mention the three elk I met along my way and the red squirrel I had a little staring contest with!
And when I got home, the un-packing was done, supper was made and I arrived into town with a few minutes to spare before my band practice. So far I'm being continually reminded that outdoor time, time in nature, breathing deep and being mindful is so valuable to my well-being. Thanks for that reminder Mother Nature (and Happy Mother's Day too!)
Thursday, April 29, 2010
365 days of Living Outside!
No...I'm not going to be as hardcore as my title would suggest. But I'm making an attempt.
For the last 3 years I've started making Earth Day Resolutions, rather than New Year's resolutions.
2007 -- No more throw-away cups for coffee, etc...
2008 -- No more plastic grocery bags
2009 -- Adopting a vegetarian diet (I did that for over a year, and now I'm eating a little bit of "happy" meat...organic, free-range, local small farmed)
So this year, I was feeling a bit at a loss of what to take up as my resolution. I had been thinking about getting a worm composter...but I'm still on the fence with that one. I'm not sure I'm quite ready to take that plunge just yet. (However, one of my colleagues will be getting rid of hers in the next while, so I may be taking it over for her...we'll see.) Suffice it to say, I wasn't satisfied with this as a resolution.
Lately I have been feeling as though I'm spending way too much time in front of the computer. Ironic isn't it...as I sit here and type this out on my computer. Nonetheless, even though I don't have a TV, I spend too much time in front of a screen. But then I was thinking, how can I tie this in with my Earth Day resolution? I mean, for me to say "spend less time on the computer each day"...well that just doesn't seem measurable and tangible enough for me. While talking this over with A, I figured out that it's easier to agree to do more of something, rather than to do less of something else. So here's my resolution:
"Spend [at minimum] a 1/2 hour outside every day."
Stipulations
1) My walk/bike to work doesn't count.
2) Walking around outside while running errands doesn't count.
3) More than a 1/2 hour is encouraged!
4) No matter what the weather!
5) Sitting outside to soak up the sun (and other related activities) can count...but I want to be aware of my surroundings...to be aware of the sounds, smells, the feel of the natural world around me!
6) Tell as many people as possible because a. it will make me stick to my word, and b. maybe inspire a few other folks to get outside as well.
There you have it! I started officially with my resolution on April 27th, 2010. Yesterday was a rainy mushy day outside, yet I went for a glorious 30 minute run, got soaking wet and saw my first mountain bluebird of the season. Mother Nature is amazing!
For the last 3 years I've started making Earth Day Resolutions, rather than New Year's resolutions.
2007 -- No more throw-away cups for coffee, etc...
2008 -- No more plastic grocery bags
2009 -- Adopting a vegetarian diet (I did that for over a year, and now I'm eating a little bit of "happy" meat...organic, free-range, local small farmed)
So this year, I was feeling a bit at a loss of what to take up as my resolution. I had been thinking about getting a worm composter...but I'm still on the fence with that one. I'm not sure I'm quite ready to take that plunge just yet. (However, one of my colleagues will be getting rid of hers in the next while, so I may be taking it over for her...we'll see.) Suffice it to say, I wasn't satisfied with this as a resolution.
Lately I have been feeling as though I'm spending way too much time in front of the computer. Ironic isn't it...as I sit here and type this out on my computer. Nonetheless, even though I don't have a TV, I spend too much time in front of a screen. But then I was thinking, how can I tie this in with my Earth Day resolution? I mean, for me to say "spend less time on the computer each day"...well that just doesn't seem measurable and tangible enough for me. While talking this over with A, I figured out that it's easier to agree to do more of something, rather than to do less of something else. So here's my resolution:
"Spend [at minimum] a 1/2 hour outside every day."
Stipulations
1) My walk/bike to work doesn't count.
2) Walking around outside while running errands doesn't count.
3) More than a 1/2 hour is encouraged!
4) No matter what the weather!
5) Sitting outside to soak up the sun (and other related activities) can count...but I want to be aware of my surroundings...to be aware of the sounds, smells, the feel of the natural world around me!
6) Tell as many people as possible because a. it will make me stick to my word, and b. maybe inspire a few other folks to get outside as well.
There you have it! I started officially with my resolution on April 27th, 2010. Yesterday was a rainy mushy day outside, yet I went for a glorious 30 minute run, got soaking wet and saw my first mountain bluebird of the season. Mother Nature is amazing!
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