Micro of the Macro

The Promise of Community

The American Heritage Dictionary defines community as a group of people living in the same locality and under the same government. Or I should say, that is the first definition. Way down at the sixth definition, the words sharing, participation, and fellowship appear. Because our lives can be so enhanced by being part of a community, perhaps the dictionary should reverse the order of those meanings.

*Group kayaking is a fun way to meet and engage with friends. Thank you, Jan, for the photo!*

Marta Zaraska, science journalist and author of Growing Young: How Friendship, Optimism, and Kindness Can Help You Live to 100, writes about how strong relationships are just as important to being healthy as what we eat and how much we exercise. One of the findings she shared: living in a community where neighbors care about one another means, for women, cutting the risk of coronary heart disease by a third.

In fact, an article in Psychology Today states that because our social connections literally shape our brain development, our network of social support serves as the most profound predictor of our health and well-being.

*Hiking with a group* *allows you a chance to strengthen relationships.*

The Center for Compassion and Altruism Research & Education at Stanford University published a write-up indicating that social connection is critical but subjective. In other words, whether you have loads of friends and family or very few, it’s how connected you feel that counts. Feeling lonely or unloved can result in compromised immunity, a higher likelihood of depression, and a shorter lifespan.

*Reconnecting with others in the Arizona blogging community is always a treat!*

From a piece in Frontiers in Psychology: Love is the positive emotion that connects people. Attachment, care giving-receiving, and positive affect always have others as the reference point. Raising awareness that we are all one people and that we are all interdependent and connected worldwide is crucial and has become a focus in social support research.

Fostering a stronger sense of connection with others can be done in many ways. Volunteering, taking a class, hosting game nights, reconnecting with old friends, and attending church services are just a few examples.

By upping your sense of community, the amount of time you feel good increases immediately. So let’s get busy connecting!

*Community events are a great way to reconnect with old friends and meet new ones*.

Blessings for Connection,

Lisa

If you enjoyed this post, you might also check out my first post on community, A Secret to Happiness.

The content of this article is for educational and informational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult with a qualified health care professional before acting on any information presented herein. Any statements about the possible health benefits of any subject discussed have not been evaluated by medical professionals or the Food & Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or illness.

6 Reasons You Shouldn’t Fear Fruit

I’ve been eating and drinking a lot more fruit lately. In the past, my smoothies have been at least half veggies and half fruit, but as I learn more about the benefits of fruit, I’ve become more generous with it in my morning concoctions.

*Morning smoothie with banana, coconut butter, lemon, ginger*, *& turmeric*

Because almost everyone I know is fruit-averse due to its sugar content, I’d like to share some of the things I’ve learned recently. Most of this info can be found in Dr. Michael Greger’s book How Not to Age, as well as on his nutritionfacts.org website, which offers seemingly endless information on nutrition research, both past and present.

Natural sugar is totally different than added sugar in any food. When eating whole fruit, the fiber found in it blunts the insulin response. It is the various forms of added sugar in processed foods, most of which have little or no fiber, that are problematic.
As our climate gets hotter, it’s more important than ever to stay cognizant of hydration levels, and juicy fruits can help with that. Oranges, lemons, limes, melons, grapes, peaches, plums, and the like are great sources of minerals as well as structured water that is preferred by our cells.
Our bodies respond well to the healthy fats found in fruits like avocados, olives, pomegranates and passion fruit. They are anti-inflammatory and prepackaged with a rich matrix of phytochemicals, Dr. Greger points out, so their effects are positive, unlike other fats that can contribute to oxidative stress.
Fruits are alkalizing, so they contribute to a healthy blood pH. This creates a more nourishing environment for our cells, giving us less chance of chronic disease, including cancer and osteoporosis.
An Australian study, which was repeated in the UK, found that eating more fruits (and vegetables) increases psychological wellbeing & motivation, and reduces the risk of anxiety and clinical depression in just 2 weeks.
Eating more fruit can result in a longer life. A simple apple a day can add 4 years to your life, and daily berries can add 7 years, decreasing all-cause mortality.

So you can see that not only should fruits not be feared, but they should be embraced for the life-supporting jewels that they are. I encourage you to check out the book and website mentioned above to learn more.

Sweetest Blessings,

Lisa

7 Life Lessons from Izzy the Cat

*I believe she enjoys having her picture taken*

Pets are amazing. Not only do they provide tons of love and support, but they are also good teachers. Izzy is the first cat I’ve owned since I was a girl. When we first adopted her from the shelter, I was stressed because of her daily habit of messing up the house. But now, although I continue to clean up after her every day, I’ve let go of the stress. I suppose that was my first lesson.

In these last 3 years, she has taught me lots more. Some are familiar lessons for which she gives constant reminders, and others are new to me. In today’s post, I thought it would be fun to share some of her teachings.

Ask kindly for what you want. When Izzy wants food, love, or other attention, she asks sweetly with loud purrs, chatty meows, cute head tilts, and good eye contact. Her requests always bring a smile to my face.
If you don’t get what you want, reach out your paw and swipe for it. When I’m petting her and start to walk away, she’ll try to grab my sleeve with her paw as if to say, we’re not done here! And if she feels I’ve been on the phone too long after I’ve closed the shutters at night, she’ll jump up and poke her paw through the slats to reopen them. She knows that never fails to get my attention!
When forced to do something you don’t like, make your feelings known. Once a month, I take her to the pet salon to have her nails clipped, and she absolutely hates it. She gives me a hard time about going into the carrier, and then meows very sadly to express her displeasure during the ride and while we’re at the salon. If she had her way, she would never leave the house.
Get your love battery charged regularly. Izzy likes to receive love in small, regular doses. Each time I climb the stairs, she runs up ahead to wait on the landing, and stopping to pet her is a password I must give before continuing.
It’s better to lead than to follow. She loves to be followed around the house. Most times when you’re trying to play, she’ll want you to follow her to this box or to that window. Even neighbors who help with her when we’re away have commented on it.
Play often, even if you must entertain yourself. She is no kitten, but she still loves to play. I believe she knows what I mean when I say I have to work, as she’s very patient, but when I’m done, she’s ready to run and jump and chase! When I’m preparing dinner, I often hear her tossing her toys up in the air and speeding through the house from window to window.
Get plenty of rest. I think the only thing she enjoys as much as playing is sleeping. She takes a long nap during the day, and most nights, she’s a good sleeper. (But not if she didn’t get enough play earlier! She sometimes wakes me up at night playing loudly with her boxes and toys.)

*The bathroom sink is one of her favorite spots to sleep*

Now you know Izzy’s philosophy for a good life. She’s a really good teacher and I’m grateful to be her student!

Kitty Blessings,

Lisa

America’s Mystical Poet

It was way back in November of 2022 that I last wrote an entire post about poetry (The Gift of Rumi), so I’m super excited to share this follow-up.

*My friend Jan in Oregon went to a tulip festival earlier this year and shared these lovely pics with me. Thanks, Jan!* *I believe tulips and poetry are a great combo!*

I’ve long been a fan of spiritual poetry. To hear it read at church opens my heart like nothing else. When I heard Rev. Lauri Gist at Unity of Ocala close her Sunday messages with verses from a poet she called her favorite, I knew I needed to read more from Chelan Harkin.

From her About page on Amazon.com, Chelan has always had a close connection with the spiritual world, a loving, ecstatic and expressive spirit, and an intimacy in her soul that she longs to share with the whole world. Poetry is one of her favorite ways to accomplish this. Chelan was raised in the Baha’i faith, and had a profound mystical experience at age 21 during a time of mental and emotional anguish. She was shown the need to live in a more authentic manner, leading to the unleashing of her poetic force.

Before publishing her first collection of poetry, she came up with the idea of praying to Hafez, a mystical poet who lived in Iran during the 14th century. Far from a traditional prayer, she asked the Persian poet for help getting published! After a series of these prayers, she says her incoming stream of poetry became torrential, leading to an invitation to co-author a book with Daniel Ladinsky, who has written four books based on the poetry of Hafez. She refers to that initial connection as the most nuts moment of her life.

Chelan has published 4 books of poetry since 2020, with another one which will be available in September of this year. Mark Peters, from Dailygood.org, writes, In her poetry and in life, Chelan continually invites the fumbling, suffering part of ourselves and our divine nature to meet for tea in the heart, have a great laugh in the belly, and share a big hug.

In the early days, she hesitantly posted one of her poems on Facebook, and it went viral. I’ll share it here and you might understand its popularity:

The worst thing we ever did
was put God in the sky
out of reach,
‍‍‍‍‍‍pulling the divinity
from the leaf,
sifting out the holy from our bones,
insisting God isn’t bursting dazzlement
through everything we’ve made
a hard commitment to see as ordinary,
stripping the sacred from everywhere
to put in a cloud man elsewhere,
prying closeness from your heart.
‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍
The worst thing we ever did
was take the dance and the song
out of prayer,
made it sit up straight
and cross its legs,
removed it of rejoicing,
wiped clean its hip sway,
its questions,
its ecstatic yowl,
its tears.
‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍
The worst thing we ever did is pretend
God isn’t the easiest thing
in this Universe
available to every soul
in every breath.

In my post on Rumi, I said the reason for his modern popularity is the beautiful ways he shares truth. I feel the same applies to Chelan Harkin, in her attempts to disassemble outdated ideas of Divinity while suggesting warmer, more intimate connections.

If you enjoy the poetry of Hafez and Rumi, you should check out Chelan Harkin. This young poet’s work brims with heart-opening grace.

Poetic Blessings,

Lisa

I truly appreciate your being here! Please note that I will probably be late in responding to comments this week. Happy Summertime!

Earth Rocks!

Wikipedia defines rock as any naturally occurring solid mass or aggregate of minerals that form the Earth’s outer solid layer, the crust, and most of its interior. In my opinion, that’s a really boring description of a natural element that contains such diverse beauty!

I didn’t used to be a fan of rock, simply because I’d never witnessed its incredible shapes and colors. But after exploring some of the prettiest areas in the country, I’m all about it!

One of my first glimpses of unusual rocks was on the rocky shore of a hidden beach in Big Sur, California. Having spent most of my life in Florida, where flat beaches feature eateries, bars, volleyball courts, and hotels, I was amazed by these natural giants on the sand.

The unusual red-orange rocks of Sedona, Arizona were among the next I visited. I can still remember driving this stunning stretch of the state for the first time. The area is a showcase for weathered rocky terrain, given all kinds of fun names like Coffeepot Rock, Snoopy Rock, and Battleship Rock. The beauty of hiking its trails cannot be sufficiently described or photographed – it should be experienced.

The Grand Canyon in northern Arizona has quite the story. Over eons, the Colorado River, rain, and wind have eroded its multi-colored rock to a present state of 277 miles long, 18 miles in width at its widest point, and a little over one mile deep. Hiking the canyon is epic but can be super hot, so best not done during summer.

Slot canyons are another distinctive natural wonder in northern Arizona, with Antelope Canyon on the Navajo Reservation being at the top of my list. The elegant rock formations shaped by flash floods throughout the canyon are like nothing else I’ve seen. (Stormy days are not recommended for exploring slot canyons!)

The Painted Desert, near Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona, is a treasure to behold, as well. These badlands feature banded rocks of red, grey, white, and shades of lavender, depending on their mineral compositions.

The orange landscape of Southern Utah includes places like Arches, Zion, and Bryce National Parks with incredible displays of the work of Nature’s elements over time. True to its name, Arches has over 2000 natural arches, but also strangely balanced rocks and lots of tall, oddly-shaped pinnacles. Zion’s huge composites of multi-colored sandstone make it a wonderland. And Bryce has the largest collection of hoodoos (irregular rock columns) on the planet. In addition to being an outdoor person’s paradise, Moab, just south of Arches, features some amazing pictographs and petroglyphs.

In sharing some of my favorite rocks, I hope I’ve spurred your sense of adventure. The solid mass that makes up our planet is creatively formed and colored, making it something very special to behold.

Composite Blessings,

Lisa

5 Merits of Wonder

Mystery creates wonder and wonder is the basis of man’s desire to understand. ~Neil Armstrong

Earlier this week, I was watching Dr. Gay Hendricks, psychologist, body-mind therapist, & author of over 40 books, in an interview and the concept of wonder came up. Human beings thrive on wonder, he said, and gave examples of his patients utilizing wonder with outstanding results.

Psychology Today shared an article with a delightful definition of the term: Wonder is a complex emotion involving elements of surprise, curiosity, contemplation, and joy. It is perhaps best defined as a heightened state of consciousness and emotion brought about by something singularly beautiful, rare, or unexpected—that is, by a marvel.

After exploring further these last few days, I’ve read several times that wonder is an emotion that is ever-present in us as small children, but by the time we get to high school, it’s all but forgotten. Due to its profound advantages, I’d like to reintroduce you to this powerful concept.

The happiness of the bee and the dolphin is to exist. For man it is to know that and to wonder at it. ~Jacques Cousteau

It can help with relationship issues. After Dr. Hendricks’ interview, I searched the internet for more from him on the subject, and found these statements addressing relationships: Wonder is the opposite of blame. It opens all your brain and body intelligence powers to make new connections. It takes you out of the state in which a problem gets generated, an Einsteinian move.
It fosters environmental protection. Rachel Carson, author of The Sense of Wonder, among other books promoting environmental ethics, writes of the ways in which we have insulated ourselves in the artificial world of our creation, while quietly and desperately wanting to believe we have a future in the natural world. The more clearly we can focus our attention on the wonders of the Universe about us, the less taste we shall have for destruction, she urges.
It prompts learning. Wikipedia shares that historically, wonder has been seen as an important aspect of human nature, specifically being linked with curiosity and the drive behind intellectual exploration. And the Greek philosopher Socrates set forth the idea wisdom begins in wonder.
It promotes prosocial behaviors. A study published in the Journal of Personality & Social Psychology reports that the experience of wonder we feel in the presence of something vast that transcends our understanding of the world encourages lovingkindness, altruism, and generosity. It’s like falling in love with all of life.
It improves mood & mindset. This point comes from my personal experiences of witnessing amazing sites like wildlife, larger-than-life trees, and wild landscapes so bedazzling that I am stopped in my tracks. A sudden childlike feeling sweeps over me, bringing me into to the present moment, replacing concerns with a sunny disposition.

Cultivating wonder opens a world of possibilities. Marveling at the mysteries in which our lives are immersed can make us smarter, more loving toward all of life, and happier. What could be a better way to live?

If this is the way the world is: extraordinary, surprising, beautiful, singular, mysterious and meaningful; then this is how I ought to act in that world: with respect and celebration, with care, and with full acceptance of the responsibilities that come with my role as a human being privileged to be a part of that community of living things. Wonder is the missing premise that can transform what is into a moral conviction about how one should act in that world. ~Kathleen Dean Moore, Writer & Professor of Philosophy, Oregon State University

Wonder-filled blessings,

Lisa

I shared the original version of this post two years ago, and you gave it lots of love in the form of likes, shares, and comments. I hope you enjoyed this edit. Thank you for reading!

The Wilderness Connection

I’ve just finished reading Scott Stillman’s book Wilderness: The Gateway to the Soul. It evokes many of the feelings and musings I experienced while exploring the wilds of this country. I realize now that the words I’ve used in describing my 3-year experience (of road tripping, tent camping, hiking, photographing natural beauty, and finding my sacred center) haven’t accurately represented the depth of primal connection I felt or the new perspective of life I gained.

In his book, Stillman describes the wild, raw places he visits with great beauty and soulfulness. He has explored some of the same mountain ranges, canyons, and deserts I have, and has met with many of the same themes. He is asked Don’t you get lonely out there all by yourself?, a question I was asked often. He responds by saying that initially, yes, loneliness can strike, but by paying attention to the beauty of the present, it doesn’t linger. I can remember feeling an almost overwhelming sense of loneliness in my tent one night in southern Colorado. But daybreak revealed a cool mountain morning, incredibly blue sky, and abundant wildflowers & butterflies on the hiking trail, replacing that sad feeling; my bonding with Nature had begun.

Stillman suggests that being alone in Nature is a time to reboot . . . a time for gratitude and healing, both spiritual and physical . . . a chance to remember the light in us is the same light in all of creation: rocks, streams, and a lizard’s eyes. This light is the source of pure love. The light of being. The light of truth. In the end there is no separateness. No lines drawn between you, me, rock and tree.

You will be cleansed, you will be renewed, and given a new perspective. A fresh start. Born again into the world. Wilderness can do all that! ~ Scott Stillman

If you must bring a companion (on your wilderness visit), . . . agree that you are going on a sacred journey, he recommends. Try not to bring along your everyday concerns. Limit talking to things of the present.

To deal with the ever-pervasive noise around us, the author writes we develop selective hearing, narrow our attention spans, or tune out altogether with our devices. But this tuning out blocks the good stuff as well. We walk around with a longing – but for what? We have everything we think we need, yet still feel unfulfilled.

Then one day we experience a moment of clarity . . . perhaps in Hawaii, the Grand Canyon, the Rocky Mountains. Recognizing the beauty all around, we see through the eyes of God and remember that everything is God. If we’re lucky, we’ll take this back into our daily lives as we leave the wilds behind.

We create our own world. Focus on beauty and beauty you find. Focus on darkness and darkness prevails. Beauty guides through the heart. Darkness through the mind. ~Scott Stillman

I wholeheartedly suggest you check out Scott Stillman’s Wilderness: The Gateway to the Soul. More than that, I urge you to take time enough in Nature to discover your personal primal connection. You may find, like I did, that it completely changes your perspective of life.

Wild Blessings,

Lisa

Snowscapes

*Oak Creek Canyon, between Flagstaff and Sedona*

Before moving to the Southwest, I remember hearing on national news about the havoc caused by large amount of snow deposited in northern Arizona in January of 2010, just four months before my planned relocation. A total of 56 inches fell that month; the majority in a single week. As a result, roofs collapsed, there were power outages for days, food and supplies had to be flown in by the National Guard for remote residents, and the town of Flagstaff was isolated due to road and airport closures. Upon hearing this, my mother asked incredulously, “And that’s where you want to live?!”

Yup, that’s the place, Mom! I’ve had no regrets about the move, but I’m truly grateful we haven’t seen a repeat of that winter. We always get lots of snow (this January we had 61 inches, more than the January noted above) but it is typically more widely distributed throughout the month.

Snow is a marvelous phenomenon. It can transform landscapes to a degree that getting lost in an area you know well becomes a distinct possibility. It blankets rocks and boulders, creating a surface smooth enough for sledding. And the way in which it cloaks mountain peaks elicits in me a sense of awe.

Living in a place that sees so much snow, I find it fascinating that each and every snowflake is unique. There are so many! I’ve read that their differences are attributed to the way they form around dust particles (or other substances) and the water vapor they collect as they move through the air.

I can’t say I’ve ever witnessed a blizzard (a snowstorm lasting 3 or more hours with sustained winds of at least 35 mph.) There are times that I’ve claimed it’s blizzarding, due to horizontally-blowing snow, but it didn’t go on for hours.

The snowiest spots in the U.S. (that have weather stations) are Mt. Rainier in Washington state, with about 645 inches a year, and Mt. Hood in Oregon, where 550 inches fall annually. Northern Arizona hits the list at 19th, with just over 100 inches, and if our local ski area had a weather station, it would show up at #8, with 260 inches.

As a small girl living in the South, snow was seldom seen. You could bet if an inch or 2 fell, it would be accompanied by freezing rain and school would be out for the day. Woohoo! Snow days were the best days!

Here, a foot or 2 can fall overnight, and schools and some businesses will have a delayed start. That gives road crews long enough to take care of major thoroughfares to provide safe passage for school buses and the rest of us.

Having snow as a frequent visitor every year is truly wondrous. But my mother would disagree. She still insists I’m crazy for living here. 😊

Winter Blessings,

Lisa

Grandfathers of the Sonora Desert

We recently vacationed in southern Arizona. The weather was warm and dry, and we enjoyed hiking, biking, and riding horses through the desert. Saguaro cactus plants were plentiful and huge. Visiting Saguaro National Park, we saw some that towered over us.

I’ve learned a lot about the growth of saguaros. I was surprised to find that they grow only 1 – 1.5 inches total during their first 8 years. At about age 35, white flowers may appear on the plant, and continue throughout their lifetime. Just before the white blooms close, green buds may emerge that eventually turn red and reveal sweet red fruit, to the delight of desert animals and humans alike. Branches, or arms, form once the cactus has reached 50 – 100 years of age, depending on precipitation in the area. Adult saguaros, those that are 125 years or older, can reach heights of 50 feet and weigh more than 6 tons. Their average lifespan is 150 – 175 years, although it is believed some live over 200 years.

*Small holes in saguaros at the Riparian Preserve* *are entryways to bird nests*

I first witnessed birds nesting inside saguaros at the Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch in Gilbert, AZ, with my friend Janet from This, That, and the Other Thing. I’ve read that these nests are actually created by gila woodpeckers and gilded flickers, who eventually abandon them. Other winged creatures, such as elf owls, house finches, and purple martins, are happy to take them over.

According to Wikipedia, the saguaro provides voluminous amounts of pollen, nectar, and fruits.Its fruits are eaten by ants and white-winged doves. These doves are important pollinators, visiting blooms more often than any other bird species. For white-winged doves making their homes in or near the desert, 60% or more of their diet is saguaro-based, and the blooming of the saguaros coincides with their breeding cycle.

For ages, every part of the saguaro, living or dead, has been used by Native Americans. The fruits are carefully harvested and made into wine, jams, and syrup. Seeds are eaten raw, ground into meal, pressed for oils, or used for chicken feed. Once the plant dies, its ribs are used for building furniture or fences. Even the old bird nests found inside are used as storage vessels.

The declining status of the saguaro cactus has resulted in protection initiatives. On federal lands, it is now illegal to harm or remove them, and in other areas, a permit is needed to relocate them. Additional requirements have been established in various municipalities. Even when a saguaro dies, a permit is necessary to remove its dried ribs.

These desert grandfathers sparked joy and reverence in our hearts. Saguaro National Park is a treasure that shouldn’t be missed when you’re near the Tucson, Arizona area.

Blessings for a Long, Productive Life,

Lisa

6 Benefits of Winter Hiking

I hiked one of my favorite winter trails recently. Its abundance of volcanic rock reflecting the heat of the sun makes it one of the warmest hikes around. Snow and ice still covered over half the footpath, courtesy of a weather system that enshrouded parts of northern Arizona for over a week. Ascending the slick ice was a little frightening (foolishly, I didn’t wear my Yaktrax). But, lucky for me, the sun had cleared the descent. The beauty of the entire mountain was transformed due to the snow, causing me to stop at times and assess if I was still on the trail.

My trek through the winter woods elated me with picturesque views of the earth, crisp air, and azure sky. I began thinking of other benefits Nature was conferring on me, and the idea for this post was born. In addition to the enjoyment of exploring a seemingly new landscape, with its snow, ice, and leafless deciduous trees, below are 5 more benefits of hiking during winter months.

Weight loss. A Scientific American article reports that brown fat, mitochondria-containing adipose tissue that converts calories into heat, is activated and increased with exercise in cold temperatures. Recent research reveals that brown fat can reduce excess stores even in the obese, due in part to its browning activity of white fat. The article also says this calorie-burning phenom can lessen chances of metabolic syndrome, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes, making cold weather hiking a great formula for weight loss and physical health in general.
Increased fitness levels, faster. If your heart is healthy (and only if your heart is healthy!), trekking in cold weather can make it even stronger. Cold temperatures cause arteries to tighten, restricting blood flow and reducing the oxygen supply to the heart, a WebMD write-up states. These factors cause the heart to work harder, improving endurance and respiratory function.
Enhanced immunity. According to this post from the ION (Intelligence of Nature) blog, Respiratory infections are especially prevalent in the winter months for two reasons: enclosed spaces and (lower) humidity. These conditions (as well as holiday gatherings) often result in us eating more, exercising less, and failing to consider hydration. Hoofing it in the cold, mineralized water in hand, allows us to deeply hydrate our bodies, helping to prevent respiratory issues.
Improved mental health. Hiking during winter can help with the winter blues and seasonal affective disorder (SAD). An article from Mayo Clinic suggests on cold or cloudy days, outdoor light can help — especially within two hours of getting up in the morning, and further, exercise and other types of physical activity help relieve stress and anxiety, thereby reducing SAD symptoms.
Heightened sense of awe. Greater Good Magazine, published by the University of California, Berkeley, reports researchers are uncovering the benefits of awe for clear thinking, good health, and close relationships. Witnessing the splendor of deer, birds, and weasels (among many other animals) whose fur changes colors in winter induces wonder and delight. Once during a cold weather hike, I saw a small herd of deer wearing lovely dark chocolate-colored coats. Spotting these beauties in their winter finest filled my heart with awe.

Although the weather is not presently balmy, it’s an ideal time to get outside and do some hiking. I hope one of the benefits mentioned above piques your interest & motivates you to get on a trail. Nature has a profusion of benefits just waiting for you.

Blessings on the Winter Trail,

Lisa

The original version of this post was published almost 2 years ago, and I thought it was worth a review. Thank you for reading, liking, commenting on, and sharing my posts throughout the year. I hope the holiday season fills you with love, including the love of Nature. Comments are off for this post. Let’s be sure to catch up in January!

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