Just to be clear here, my oft-repeated charge to “keep moving” doesn’t conflict with the instruction in today’s headline, to “be still.” The former maintains the momentum we need to thrive, while the latter is essential to experiences we have along the way.
I stayed outside at the picnic table for over an hour this morning after Deb and I finished our phone call. I had work to do, but I simply sat there.
I was still.
Two squirrels hung out within six feet of me, either oblivious or unconcerned. The longer I stayed still, the more birds lit in the trees overhead and visited the feeder nearby. A skink skittered around my feet.
Every now and then, and ever so slowly, I’d raise my phone and snap a photo or two. I was fortunate to get a few pretty cool shots.
This place literally vibrates with Life (and not just cicadas). We knew that even before we moved to The Mountain — what we witnessed during our visits, as well as what our trailcams captured.
Those cameras are our eyes in places we don’t often go. They don’t move. They never sleep. They’re silent. They’re still.
Mountain Two, set up near the summit, caught the blur of a very young fawn the other day, in full dash behind its mother. It’s not a great photo (below), but the image preserves a great moment.
What I see, however, can’t compare to what I hear. Birdsongs, yes. The buzz of bugs and the chatter of squirrels. And when I discipline myself to be completely still, my ears pick up The Mountain’s residents making their way over the ledges and through the woods.
This morning, the crunch and rustle of brush told me that at least two whitetails were moving downslope not far from where I sat. Or it easily could’ve been a black bear. It’s about that time of year.
I consider myself lucky to be here.
I’m even luckier when I’m still.
Here we go again.
‘Tis the season for severe weather in the central part of the country. States to the north and west of us have been getting the worst of it when it does happen, but once or twice a week we seem to get roped into an alert area.
Today, the most serious threat is well north of us. We’re smack in the middle of a “slight risk” area stretching from central Texas almost to Lake Superior.
The threat increases for us tomorrow. Ozarkansas is near the northern edge of a swath that the NWS Storm Prediction Center has placed under “enhanced” risk. Thursday we’re back to “slight.”
The extended forecast shows a chance of storms all day and all night Friday, Saturday and Sunday. From now through the end of this six-day stretch, the biggest concern will be straight-line winds. Fortunately, the threats of hail and tornadoes are somewhat lower.
As much as four inches of rain is predicted. That’d be great.
Winds on The Mountain began gusting over 30mph early this morning, which is unusual. It was sunny and hot (a high of 90°F) until gray clouds took over around 4pm. Deb got Home from work just as it started raining.
I think we’re pretty well buttoned up. We’ll find out.
The weather’s effect on us, if there is one, is that we have building materials to truck up here, and wet weather gets in the way of that. It may be Monday before we can make it happen, so we’ll shift our attention to other tasks.
This is what occupies us. It may not be everyone’s idea of how Life should go or be, but we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Take care of yourselves, Patriots. Stay calm. Stay sharp. Stay free.
#WiseUp #LibertyOrDeath #Ungovernable
#LetsGoBrandon #FJB