Country Sunset

One lesson I want to take over the years is when to "let go" and not put any pressure on myself in terms of being creative. Leave the phone and the electronics and just "shut down" and be sure to "get shit done" so that all those burdened little things and "musts "are made. Only after it comes that wonderful, joyful freedom back, as well as the core for me to want to create anything at all.

And exactly that feeling now came after the weekend. All musts were made, and these quiet days were like fertilizer and water on a dry lawn. Something grew back to life and opened.

Every day we discover something new. Every day, new flowers blossom as never before seen. Every day I am amazed by the light dancing on the countryside, the meadows, and everything else.

Every day I see my town from new horizons and become soulful about all the secret little places out there to discover. It has everything. As nature's all different variations on the same country side and my town. From the moss growing on the tree’s roots, the fields of corn and bean, and some woody areas with the smell of pine trees, to the humidity we had these last few weeks. Many dragonflies and bumble bees fly and birds sing. It really shows that this, our town and countryside, has been loved by many before us. That others took care of it and planted all kinds of beautiful flowers and plants. Sometimes we need to stop our busy lives and just take a minute to listen, smell, and see nature.

And now when the late summer brings darkness, so it is like to experience a new life of the town. Candles get lit, people get out and walk, and people just seem happier.

The house looks so lovely when there are lights in the windows. And I almost longed for a little after dark, just to see it from the perspective of darkness.

This summer especially I slept with my bedroom windows fully open. In May, I fell asleep to wind, and all the thousands of birds who sang all night long.

In June, July, birdsong fell silent as they found their love. But there are many others who didn’t fall silent, like the crickets.

As I sit out on my front porch writing this, my darling outdoor/indoor cat TT is right next to me wanting to be petted.

As my summer is coming to an end and I will be going back to college, I have worked many hours. I went to Chicago for my good friend’s wedding. I painted many pictures, helped out with Vacation Bible School, went for many walks in the country and in my town.

I am thankful that I live in a small town of not even a thousand people and not in a busy city, even though I do like how everyone is going somewhere. I can enjoy the stars and the animals. I can listen to the birds in the morning, I can go for walks and be safe. I am thankful that I have a good life and I can share that with friends and family.