The subject of noticing is a recurring one on Ubi Libertas Blog. It’s the practice of seeing instead of simply looking, being disciplined enough to be present in each moment. Noticing is the antidote to sleepwalking through life.
Early this morning, for example, while Deb and I were drinking coffee, she launched a Fox News video. I noticed in the report from Israel that the terrain reminded me of what we see from The Mountain. I imagined the prospect that those shells were striking targets here in Ozarkansas.
I walked outside into the cool air. Down on the lower level, the pokeweed (aka “poke sallet”) sprouting from the spoils below the RV was wilted, a casualty of three hard freezes in a row. I went over to the well head and unplugged the heat lamp, and then I gave myself time to notice my surroundings. I acknowledged a pile of firewood, left by one of our site contractors, bucked but in need of splitting and proper seasoning.
I peered into the woods behind the well. I noticed several outcrops of ledge in a way I hadn’t before. They’re appealing enough that I believe I’ll thin the brush and make them more visible.
Returning to the upper level, my eye caught Mercy, our Wrangler, in a photogenic light. I snapped a few images from the driveway, then hopped up onto the front steps of the cabin. And that’s when I noticed that enough leaves had fallen to bring the western shoulder of Hall Mountain into view.
We got another delivery of firewood today, late this afternoon. It was the same good ol’ boy who’d brought the last load, this time presenting us with two-plus ricks, almost all of it respectably seasoned cherry. As the split lengths tumbled out of his dump trailer next to our woodpile, I couldn’t help noticing the sweet aroma of honest-to-Country cordwood.
And I have some work to do.
Something that Deb and I always notice, and look forward to, are the sunsets here on The Mountain. Overcast notwithstanding, we get quite the show. Tonight was no exception.
I encourage y’all to take the time to notice. On even the most ordinary of days, there’s much to see.
Take care of yourselves, Patriots. Stay calm. Stay sharp. Stay free.
#WiseUp #LibertyOrDeath #Ungovernable
#LetsGoBrandon #FJB