Winter Walking

One of my favorite things to do when it’s cold outside is to go walking in the woods.  Admittedly, I’m absolutely terrified of snakes-so walking in the woods in the summer isn’t enjoyable to me.  In the winter I can poke around without the fear of something slithering out across my trail.

Even though the flora and fauna are mostly brown and dead, I still find so much beauty in the nature around me.  Whether it’s the funny shape of a tree, or an interesting rock, or one of these strange “porcupine balls” hanging around…I can always find things to muse at.

We recently brought a new dog into the family and she’s a true delight to everyone.  I take her on walks with me now.  Our Schnauzer is 15 and has no interest in following me on endless trails anymore.  Trixie loves picking up these porcupine balls in her mouth and packing them with her for 100 yards or so.  She’ll occasionally set it down on the ground, bat it around with her paw, and then pick it back up.

Tennessee is filled with so much natural color during spring, summer, and fall.  What a beautiful place to live.  I supposed to bleakness of winter challenges me to find beauty in the colorless world.  Patterns, textures, and lighting are things that I notice instead of bright hues.  Here’s a photo I took a few years ago of a weird root growing up out of the ground:

I remember wondering to myself how many people had tripped on the darn thing.  It sticks up just enough to catch your boot if you’re not paying attention.  I can’t remember exactly where I was in Stewart County, but it looks like somewhere near the Cumberland River/Lake Barkley.