Perhaps a Gift, From St. Valentine Himself

St. Valentine's Day

Cobble Hill Farm

Middlebury, Vermont

Our yearly pilgrimage to Aunt Peggy's farm

On this less-than-typical

mostly-snow-free occasion

We are, My Love and I

Taking in the Greenery, as we always do

Reveling in the Spectacular view

When we come across this lovely Gift

From, perhaps,

St. Valentine Himself

Lantana and Leaps, Instincts and Rhythms

**If you look very closely, you'll notice the grasshopper on this beautiful Lantana I was watering on my Deck the other Day.**

 

 I was excited to see it because:

Grasshoppers Symbolize: New Leaps Forward in life. Trust in you own instincts and Rhythms--The ability to take Chances and Leap Forward--and the courage in Doing So.

Fat and Lengthy EarthWorms on Usual Jaunts, and Executive Decisions

**A Fat, and lengthy Earthworm slithering through the leaves and rocks on one of our Usual Jaunts through Marsh Creek State Park**

I've made the Executive Decision, as we speak, to include Native American Totem symbolisms when Animals, Insects or Reptiles are Noticed, So here Goes...

Earthworms Represent: Growth, Regeneration, Healing and Reflection.

Caterpillars and Spiders and Totems, Oh MY!

**Side By side, crawling up my house was this unlikely Pair. A VERY large spider and a wooly Caterpillar. This was the second VERY large Spider I saw outside my home, and not long after, We found a few indoors! Right before bedtime, in the bedrooms, no less. Eeek! Not My cup of Tea**

Interesting Note:

As Native American Totems, Animals, insects and

reptiles are representative of lessons we are called to learn. 

The Lesson of the Spider is: Balance, Wisdom, Creativity and Communication. 

The Lesson of the Caterpillar is: preparedness for transformation, and the quality of inching along, or moving slowly, moment by moment, for the greater good of the transformation ahead. 

(Synchronistically, I keep hearing the song "One Step at a Time", By Jordan Sparks)

I have never failed to see a connection in the out-of -the ordinary animal sitings, and what's happening in my life at the moment.

Happy Trails....

The First Fluffy Caterpillar of Fall

**I almost stepped on this fist fluffy Caterpillar of the Fall.

 He lifted his head up from his fast paced escape to pose for this picture. 

So glad I didn't step on him.

 So, I expect, was He.

 Captain and I encountered him at the very lovely Marsh Creek State Park, One of our Favorite Spots.**

A Fallen Nest, and a Blue Heron, But Not in That Order

**This time, to Captain's Dismay, only a quick walk on a short trail in a small park along side

 Rt. 202.

Captain Spies a Fallen nest, and the tree from which it fell, and not a moment earlier, the lovely surprise of a Blue Heron, in an unexpected place. Couldn't unholster my Iphone camera quick enough**

The Noticing Game, and How it All Began

When My Children Were Little, and I'd take them for walks or hikes or camping, I taught them a game called the Noticing Game. Since I was the type of kid myself who noticed a lot, especially outdoors, and found it quite fulfilling, I wanted them to share in it too. 

The Game Had Only two Rules:

1. Look for Something Interesting

and 

2. Share it. 

My kids are teenagers now, and, well, It's harder to get their attention that way. 

I, on the other hand still like to play It. 

The Intention of this Blog is to Show You Things I've Noticed while Walking or Hiking. Sadly We don't do much camping any more, but The Noticing Game can be played just about any place, together or alone,  and if you leave it for a while, you can always return, For the Noticing Game is Especially fond of Prodigal Sons

and Daughters.

Welcome.