Written by Jason Prigge, Development Director
At last, the sun’s gentle warmth graced the earth, a balmy 27 degrees, inviting me to wander down the Cattail Trail one tranquil afternoon. The spring and summer months are my sanctuary, where I find solace in painting and sketching amidst the vibrant tapestry of nature. Yet, when the chill of winter descends, I retreat indoors, the cold seeps into my bones swiftly and quickly, and warmth is slow and reluctant when I retreat indoors.
Today, however, I felt the call, to stretch my legs and commune with the natural world, to quell the restless spirit winter often stirs in me. The season’s melancholy takes its toll on us all here in Wisconsin, and I sought some much needed Vitamin D and some serenity.
As I stepped into the crisp air, the world was alive with sound. The snow crunched beneath my feet, a rhythmic symphony, while a gentle breeze whispered through the trees. I paused, allowing myself to become still, to listen, intentionally, deeply.
The crisp breeze, rustled through the brush, its voice like a gentle drone. In the distance, the caw of a crow echoed, a bold proclamation in a language I didn’t speak. I chuckled softly and replied anyway, “You said it, buddy,” agreeing with his protest of the cold. “Me too,” I added, feeling a strange kinship with the feathered critic.
In that moment of stillness, I was grateful for it all, the life teeming around me, in the sky, below on the ground, and hidden beneath the water’s surface. It was a revelation, a reminder of the wonders that await those with the eyes to see.
A sweet, melodious twitter caught my attention, and I turned to see a Junco, a new feathered friend, flitting into view. For a fleeting instant, our eyes met, and then he vanished into the sky, leaving behind the echo of his cheerful song. Though he was gone, his jolly refrain lingered in the air, a reminder of the beauty and life that persist even in the heart of winter.
As I continued my stroll, I felt a renewed sense of peace, a connection to the world around me that had been momentarily forgotten. The trail stretched before me, a path of discovery and wonder, and I embraced it with open arms, grateful for the warmth of the sun and the symphony of nature that surrounded me.
I’m glad I took the time.