FitVlog #42 Adventure Walk | Allen Station Park

There was at least one absolutely beautiful morning happening this week.  I decided to take a nice walk that morning and make it into a video!  A bit of adventure was to be had.

The walk ended up being an hour long, so the vid is the condensed version.  It's funny how time just flew.  I think the chatting along the way must have helped.

And, yes, that park can be creepy.  The whole family thinks so, though none of us can put our finger on the cause of it.  Maybe it's just weird that it's there, looking all spiffy, and hardly anyone is there to enjoy it.  Sort of like those fancy neighborhoods with their mountainous homes and not a soul in sight.  I've biked through those neighborhoods.  The sound of my bike changing gears echoed off the cold walls.  Sometimes, I heard the wind in my ears.  Where were all the people?  Maybe this is what the apocalypse would be like in the beginning.  You know, before the crumble of the mortar started.

The park, though, has some lovely spots.  Sadly, development has changed its appearance over the years.  I'm not sure where it's headed.  Is this progress?  We've lost loads of trees and natural spaces.  In the past, I'd be intensely angry about such destruction.  But I've been here a long time.  Maybe too long.  A person can become numb to consistent assault of the land.  Especially, when the majority seems to welcome the changes and sees little value in trees and green things where the animals dwell.  No doubt my opinion on such matters would be laughable to most.

This reminds me of arguments I've had over the years concerning nature and its value.  There are actually some who believe people are more important than any animal.  To the point where an animal's habitat is only valuable if it can be paved over and there's money to be earned from its destruction.  There are those who have the mentality that our "progress" is paramount, regardless the consequences of injecting poisons into the earth and waters.  I'd say there is no advancement if you stomp around childlike on the good things the earth already provides.  Now, learning to live with all the creatures of the earth in a sustainable and healthy way, that's progress.

Until such a state is achieved, I'll appreciate what's left around me.  The small strips of green where the birds sing.  And I'll do my best to preserve what I can.  This may involve slapping myself in the face to wake up from the uncomfortable numb.  ha!

Enjoy the vid! (^.^)v
        

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Video captured with GoPro Hero3 and Samsung Galaxy S5

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summer wind

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Outside the window, I see the limbs and leaves of the trees dance in a dry hot wind.

It is summer. It has made itself known, leaving its mark in the cracks of the parched earth. The sun, relentlessly piercing through a dusty haze, baking the streets, sidewalks and lawns.

You can taste the air. Powdery on the tongue, stinging the throat. What moisture the heat doesn't steal away, the wind strips.

It is said we may get a spot of rain tomorrow, though I'll not hold my breath waiting. No, in the meantime, I'll do my best to find appreciation for the extreme warmth.

Indeed, there are moments when I feel the scorch of sun on my face and shoulders and relish it. Perhaps, it is because it reminds there is a freedom about summer. It is the time we skimp on clothing and travel to random places. And, we swim.

Such a free feeling, floating in the sweet coolness of a pool or lake.

It seems the summer has only begun, yet we've managed at least a couple of adventures already.

One such was a trip to Dallas for the three-day affair, A-Kon 22. I almost think this particular subject requires a separate post! There is too much to mention, I can scarcely think. So, I'll save it for later.

Shortly after the A-Kon convention ended, the itch to venture the roadways hit. On the spur, and almost too late in the day, we quickly packed the truck and pointed north, making way to the closest lake we're most fond of. The journey would take us more than 2 hours, though not unpleasant, the drive is part of the allure. A complete departure from the seductive madness and thrill of A-kon.
It was hot, 103ºF! In my haste, I'd forgotten my polarizer lens, so the glare is evident.

This subject, too, will require more attention than I am able to give it at the moment. Tonight, maybe, when there are less pressing matters to tend to.

For now, I'll consider taking the children out in the hot for a swim~~~

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blooms

There's a storm tonight. It is welcome.
The dryness of these early days of spring can surely use relief.

Before the roiling dark clouds loomed, photos of the season's first blooms had to be taken. These blooms will no doubt be beaten and perhaps shattered by the heavy rain and wind.






I can hear the rumble of thunder, the furious song of the chimes.
The rain has come at last.

Time to take a peek and breathe in the freshness...

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snow day

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The other morning, feathery puffs fell from the sky. Our first snow of the year. And now sticks of ice cling to the edges of roofs.

It has been a while since I've seen a proper icicle.


The children could not resist and insisted I snap off more than a few.
Marvelous things, icicles. The snow quite lovely as well.


The snow, now crunchy and riddled with holes down to the grass where footsteps fell, still holds a bit of magic. The children even now rush to the window to see what remains.

As for me, I can not help but step out into the clean winter air in the wee hours to see the glow, to hear the peace...

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hatchling

Enjoying the warmth of a summer day, I sat in one of the plastic lawn chairs whilst the kiddos were at play. Trying to sound nonchalant, maybe even happy, about the coming end of the season, I made playful comments about topics that are now unremembered.

The summer will be missed, in a way. The heat of it, not so much, but the sense of time being a slight slower will be. Once fall arrives, and in not too long a time from now, the days will grow shorter. Time will seem to slip away faster, I think.

But before this, I sat in my chair, somewhat wet from our "last swim of the season" as it were, drying in the rays of the sun. As I often have done, I scanned every green thing in the yard. The green would be gone soon.

I gazed briefly at the sky. A beautiful sky. The blue intensifies, it seems, as the air tends to grow clearer in the cooling wind.

Then, eyes to the children and the grass beneath us, I saw a tiny movement in the corner of my eye. I knew, instantly, I did not want to know what caused it.

I tried to ignore what I thought I saw, because in that split second, I'd realized what sadness was to follow. There in the dirt, amongst a scattering of shriveled fuchsia crepe myrtle flowers and twigs, silently squirmed a wee and recently hatched creature. A baby dove.

Quietly I uttered, "I didn't want to see that. I wished I hadn't just seen that."

But it was seen, and could not be undone.

Quickly, before picking up the sweet creature, the husband and I searched for a nest, hoping there'd be one within reach. There was not.

The nest was to be found, eventually, very high up in the tree. Too high to be reached safely. I cursed the mother dove, who sat statue-like on her nest. Was she unaware her baby was lost? The nest of the dove, nearly any dove, a shabby one indeed.

With a pained heart and misty eyes, I picked up the little grey ball. He made not a sound as he wriggled, soft in my palm.

I fashioned a nest of sorts for him, what comfort I could possible give, and placed him in a vee of the tree. Into the summer night, he faded...

Time, fleeting...

raindrops

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This summer has been a brutal one.

The heat of the day lingers, pushing through cracks in scorched earth and blooming hot into the night. A bit oppressive, one might say.

But on occasion, there is a break of sorts. I'm hoping for one of those today.



For certain, the drops are appreciated. Moments after they hit the dirt, the air is fresh. Plants awakened from their wilt.



How precious and beautiful these droplets are. Each and every one.

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sunshine on a stick

The heavy rain was welcome, to be sure. The heat of summer was beginning to feel a smidgen oppressive. If humidity and 100 degree plus temps can even be considered a trifle of hot oppression.

The wind and hail had me concerned, though, that the flowers the children had grown from seed might be pummeled and broken.

Not to worry.

The sunflowers still stand intact, despite one whose head hangs a wee low. Tis a bit heavy that one, as it is of the large variety.



Sweet and cheerful these blooms are. Smiles without faces.
Sunshine on a stick.

earth

Turn background music off here, then come back up.

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Yesterday was Earth Day.

I tend to like Earth pretty much every day, though I suppose there are those who need a reminder of this planet's awesomeness. :o)


Thank you aSecretAgent for sharing this vid.

tiny blue and the child's treasure

Spring~~
At last there are buds and blooms on the trees. The grass is greening. There are birds picking through the blades. Flitting about in the branches.

Fresh and new, it is. Lovely.

And so, naturally, I with my camera crept low to the earth searching for the tiniest of flowers in the lawn. These blooms are the reason the grass is getting tall--not yet time to mow. And, too, the reason I do not care to have the perfect one-grass-only carpet of green. I love the variety.

There are clusters of blue scattered here and there across the yard.
Upon closer inspection, individually, tiny and delicate flowers. So sweet.

There are other sweet flowers dotting the lawn. Some most hated by those who love their pure green carpet! The dandelion being one of them.

To the children, the dandelion is pure treasure. It is magical. Make a wish and blow the seeds from their stem. The wish is carried to heaven on the wind and is certain to come true.

plumage

Thanks to such a thing as the Mexican plume, we see interesting cloud formations without the violence.

On occasion, I can appreciate a good capping inversion. Particularly since we are in process of getting the swimming pool ready. But at times, I'm ashamed to admit, I do enjoy a nice gully-washer with all the fixins.

Recently, we had what seems to be our first tornado warning of the year. At least I think it was the first. I can't remember, since it's been a while since we had such excitement.

We sheltered the little ones in a closet, whilst us big ones watched the wind whip the trees around. The twister was a small one and missed our town pretty much, we just got the 80mph straight-line gusts.

Not near as bad as the tornado we had, I believe it was last year, which actually hit less than a block from where we lived then. Some trees were uprooted, fences blown down and quite a bit of roof damage occurred all over town. And wouldn't ya know, we slept through that one! Crazy.

Not that I wish for a terrible twister. I don't. They scare me.

Maybe I expect to hear tornado sirens go off at least a handful of times in spring and summer each year. It did in West Texas and all over Oklahoma, not terribly far from here. The difference, we have that Mexican plume in these parts.

One day, I'm sure I'll grow to love it.

Happy Earth

Turn off background music here, then come back up.

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The following video was posted by SandersPoel to celebrate Earth Day 2008. O' course it still fits and I like it, so here it is... :o) Every day...Earth Day~~peace~~



SandersPoel, thanks for sharing!

lovely fall

green geeks unite

Turn off background music here, then come back up.

Yes, yes... You can call me a tree-hugger if you like. And, you may disagree with many of those like me, who believe our world is in dramatic flux due to our trashing up the place.

I'm okay with that.

Perhaps, though, we could look at the climate-change argument a little differently.

Take the following vid by wonderingmind42 for example. The discussion isn't about who is right or wrong regarding climate issues. More importantly, it is about exploring the possible results for choosing to do nothing at all about global warming.


Thanks to wonderingmind42 for sharing this video.

blue stream

sweet as a child's dream

slid the clear waters of this

a playful blue stream

yIKEs!

Turn off background music here.


Watch CBS Videos Online

I've been to Houston and Galveston only once. Galveston, I loved very much. There are beautiful historic homes there, as well as gorgeous modern beach houses. The beach, lovely. I've a jar of its sands to remind me of it.

I can not imagine what will happen to the island when the hurricane hits.

I hope those who live there, have left for safety.

The Sea

I dream of a time when I can visit the sea. It seems there will be something missing if I should never touch soft salinity of the ocean.

Sand and the Shadow
A shadow--long and distorted,
Its image pressed into wet sand--
Waits.
The fog of once before dissipates;
Clarity and wisdom remain.
In awe, she stands still,
Watching rare, sacred silent waves
Slide over wounded sand.
Dancing ripples sparkle and fuse
Into a sleepy sun.
She sucks moist air,
Drawing the essence from a tranquil sea.
In this place,
There is purpose.
Finding her peace,
She shifts her weight slightly,
Forcing sand between toes,
And waits.

Shauna Chan©

The Trees

The other morning, I stared at a beautiful sunrise--ignoring the cars that flew by--through a small oasis of naked trees. I missed home for once. Not the house, but the area I'm from--the empty fields, hills and forests. The spokes of the sun piercing bare limbs nearly brought me to tears. It's the beauty of the simple I long for.

Since the time I've been here, I've not felt at home. It's not for lack of trying. Besides, a place should grow on you after nearly 4 years. But, this place is clearly not for me. The ugly chaos of every day here deepens my sadness. Will it harden my senses, making me forget what was once happiness?

To add to my desperation, the oasis of trees is destined to be plowed down, once the land is bought for some commercial venture. Eventually, the pleasure to be had from the small pockets of nature will be walled-off, concreted-over and all but snuffed out. What's left is the manufactured-simulation of what the developers think nature ought to look like. This is progress.

My quest to understand the workings of this city continues. I'm an observer, to be sure.