My last “challenge” day at my sit-spot.  Coming here has become as much a part of my routine as getting dressed and making lunch – each day I budget time for it.

It has become part of my day.

today's gift

So…. now what?

my mossy rock

I am so grateful to my sponsors & mentors, and to those who have supported and encouraged this journey.  It has been fulfilling, nourishing, truly healthy.  I am grateful.

I am grateful for the sounds I’ve heard, each chickadee and squirrel.  I am grateful for the tracks in the mud, the teeth-marks on the apples.  I am grateful for the deer, and the mysteries and questions.  I am grateful for seeing how the light changes each day, for how the wind feels. I am grateful for the moments when I felt afraid.

amber sunset

I feel bittersweet leaving my spot.  Will I keep going now that the challenge is over?  Will I change spots to make it easier – perhaps find a closer one?

Raccoon Hotel tree

I don’t know.  But what I do know is that tomorrow I will again set my alarm for 5:45, budgeting the time to get to my spot.  Because it has become a part of my day.

beauty above me

I walked into the sound of chirps, peeps, peents, nahs, and piks of various birds feeding on the trees above me.  Hairy woodpeckers, chickadees, and white-breasted nuthatches flew to and fro.  I kept willing them to land on the (totally ignored) suet feeder in front of me – but no one took the bait.

It was really pleasant out there today – I felt like I could have stayed so much longer… if only there wasn’t so much to do….

Dark, cloudy, comforting, pleasant.  It feels more and more like a place I belong to.  Even the dark walk out is less intimidating.

The clouds moved fast, trees groaned, branches clacked overhead like stag antlers clashing.

Another night-sit: I was surprised that the cloudy skies covering the now-waning, but still very bright moon, actually made it easier to see in the dark woods.  It dispersed the almost too-bright moonlight into the woods, reducing confusing glare & shadows.

Or maybe I’m just getting more comfortable in the dark?