Nature Calls

The past three days have been full of frustrations dealing with computer ‘issues.’ Both my printers decided to be contrary. A new printer I purchased to replace one of the contrary printers was itself hateful. Software programs were glitching (and I’m an Apple gal so that’s NOT normal) and things I saved mysteriously disappeared so I’d have to do the same work over again…sometimes three times. Toward the end of today I reached my limit.

After the ‘last straw’ this afternoon, I gazed longingly out the wall of windows overlooking the mountains. I’ve been inside for three days battling machines….perhaps I need to take a break. Just the thought of it made me feel lighter.

I don’t mind the work, as I’m preparing for a book launch and photography exhibition. It’s just that EVERYTHING I tried to do was frustrating. I would take a step forward and five steps back with the work I was producing. I know I sound whiney. I know…I feel out of balance. That’s my clue to pack up my gear and hit the road at sunrise for places west. Places of quiet and solitude where computers and software and printers cannot follow.

When I feel this out of sorts there is only one thing that brings me into balance: NATURE! And so, tomorrow before the sun rises I’ll be cruising along I-40 toward the Smoky Mountains National Park. It’s long over-due and that’s why I’m so out-of-sorts. I know better than to go this long without standing with the sunrise, feeling the morning approach or sitting on ….

THUD!!!!

In the middle of THAT thought I heard a THUD! Then another. I ran down from the loft and looked at the deck. A yearling black bear was walking along the railing!! He jumped down and inspected the deck, causing my cat to hiss and bristle. I just stood there and laughed. YES! I need a good dose of nature. I just got my first dose.Nose-to-nose with this precious yearling at my window. Now for a big dose tomorrow. I’ll report on the outcome….maybe next week. I’m taking the weekend off.