On days when the temperature is above frigid, I don’t protest the dogs’ favorite habit stopping to gnaw at every single stick they encounter during our noontime walks. Instead, while they ravage the broken arms of trees to top off their stomaches already filled with lunch, I study the language of trees.
Winter is the season of dormancy, but also of exposure. By mid-February only a few stubborn bunches of withered brown oak leaves hang lifeless from the trees that bore them. The floor of the forest has long been taken over by the element of water, suspending time in its frozen form in a mosaic of matter in various stages of life and death.
The artful practice of mindfulness is everywhere in winter, urging the walker to slow down. To breathe. To be still and observe the state of stasis. I love winter because of its offering to be still. The other three seasons can overwhelm the senses, but not winter. Winter pulls the mind inward and begs it to find the magic always held within.
There are days when I think winter is ugly and dreary. It stretches time here in the northeast in a way that tries patience. Yet, when I look closer, while the dogs feast on their finds, I find the magic of stillness revealing itself. Lately, this magic has taken the form of the language of the trees.
In truth, it is not the language of the trees itself that I read, but the story of the insect life that feasts upon them. I am in awe of the patterns. When I stop to read their art, I marvel at how each one is unique. It is a language of pictographic script that only the insect scribe understands, in truth, but it doesn’t stop the wondering mind from making an attempt.
The Light Behind the Story 
Your pictures truly show a different way of looking at trees.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Looking at trees in a new way helps me to not get frustrated with the dogs constantly wanting to stop for sticks 😁
LikeLiked by 2 people
lol My girl usually just finds a stick and then wants it to be thrown. Not much time to look at trees in detail. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
It’s a bit tortuous on frigid days or when I simply just want to get some exercise. 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
great great pics 👍
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you, Jim
LikeLiked by 1 person
anytime..it’s free 😯
LikeLiked by 1 person
The magic of stillness has always involved trees, especially in winter. I love that watchful eye of the hemlock…
LikeLiked by 3 people
Trees are wonderful beings. I’m glad you enjoyed the eye 🙂
LikeLike
Nature never fails to surprise me… 🌿🌲
LikeLiked by 2 people
💚
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on anitadawesauthor.com.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for sharing 🙂
LikeLike
Reblogged this on NEW BLOG HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you for sharing 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙏🏻 Thank you as well for the very interesting post, Alethea! Have a nice rest of the week! Only one working day to go. xx Michael
LikeLiked by 1 person
You too, Micheal and have a great weekend!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Alethea. Enjoy your weekend as well. xx Michael
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you ❤️
LikeLike
Wonderful images and perspective Alethea. I love your take on winter being a time to slow down and sense the details around us like talking trees and insect art! 😍
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed the perspective 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely, thought-provoking reflections, Althea, that inspire a deeper, more observant presence in each moment. 💜
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you, Carol. I’m so glad you enjoyed it. 💚
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Alethea, this is such a good post – I’ve never thought of winter walks as a time to be quiet and observe, especially the language of trees. I’m ashamed to say that during my winter walks, I’m mostly thinking about how cold I am and moving fast so I can get back inside. I’m going to try to be more mindful next time I go out. I agree that the other seasons have so many more things that distract the senses. Hope you are doing well. Just one more month of winter and today was a gorgeous day!
LikeLiked by 3 people
I’m so glad you liked the post and it got you thinking about your winter walks. Mine are not always completely mindful. There are plenty of days when the cold, and/or the dogs, get the best of me. But, I’ve always loved the stillness of winter…I am looking forward to spring, though. Yes, today was a weather delight for sure!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love your insight about winter pulling the mind and begging it to “find the magic always held within.” Winter and trees have much to teach us. It’s nice to know I’m not the only one with a stick obsessed dog. I worry about him choking on something, but he does enjoy tearing the sticks to pieces. Maybe the clean his teeth.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I’m so glad you enjoyed the post. I had to chuckle when reading about your dog. He sounds just like my two, and I justify it the same way. I’m convinced it is cleaning their teeth. Miraculously they seem to digest all that bark okay.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love trees and the magic found in nature! Living in Canada, I have struggled with the cold and harsh winters and for the most part, found myself hidden inside over the years. But what I didn’t realize was all the magic (and beautiful stillness, as you described) found outside, even in the midst of winter! I can proudly say now, after moving outside of the city and closer to nature, that I brave the cold winter days to get outside for winter walks among the trees. So much beauty during the winter… so much to witness! I just love your perspective.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi Cassandra, Thank you for stopping by my blog. I’m so glad this post resonated with you and that you have found the beauty in the stillness of winter. 💙
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful observations! I would like to have an experience of winter sometime
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Mariana. I hope you get to experience a snowy winter sometime.
LikeLike