A Retreat Alone

(Two young maple trees
outside our farmhouse in 2000)

H.D. Thoreau heralded the wonders of being alone in nature. I have an old, worn paperback compilation of his works in my office that I periodically peruse when I need a good dose of earthy inspiration. Country life is miraculous because you can actually hear the wind blowing and bird’s voices echoing across the landscape. When a lone car or truck careens down the road, its approach is evident from a long way off. Although city-dwelling birds and creatures are numerous, their voices are drowned out among the urban chorus of machines, vehicles and crowds.

(One of our grown maples today)

Wanting to take advantage of these picturesque views, I recently rearranged my desk to face the office window looking eastward through a pair of stately maple trees. They were but rail-thin saplings when we bought the farm (as the above picture shows), but 10 years growth has transformed them into marvelous shade-filled beauties (as shown, right). From their branches, well-stocked bird feeders draw winged singers. In the early mornings when I rise to write, the sunlight spills through the leaves and onto the dewy grass beneath. Soon the greenery will transform into a palette of orange, red, and gold as fall arrives. For now, though, my senses gorge themselves with the cooler temperatures and the lush green Garden of Eden outside my window.

Unfortunately, life’s hectic journey encroaches on one’s time regardless of where you reside. Lawns still need mowed, carpets need vacuumed, and laundry needs washed no matter how serene things look outside your window. But for those few moments each morning, I have my little piece of heaven where nothing else exists. This brief meditation fills me with inspiration to wade through the hectic day of family, work, and personal responsibilities. As I write this now, a storm is brewing outside as the leaves are rustling loudly and the gray sky is thick and heavy. Better take my umbrella to work, but then again maybe a few raindrops would feel good.