aprilstarchild | (no subject)

Since it's not yet dark at four, which is when I get out of work this week, I walked in the nature park today. It wasn't crowded--the rain keeps people away, as did early sunset.

I just knew I wanted to be around nature when the sun set on the Winter Solstice.

Few things smell better than wet forest, in my opinion. If they could bottle that...

I saw ten rough-skinned newts--I counted. They were all in the process of crossing the paved path. I picked one up. They must not have any depth perception, as it was perfectly willing to just walk straight off my hand (my other hand was underneath to catch it). It's fun to watch them walk, making little S-shapes with their bodies and tail, or watch their chin expand and contract when they breathe. I worry about joggers and bikers--they go too fast to see the newts, especially since they look like leaves or sticks until you get up close, or see them move.

I heard a few frogs. The sound of the rain hitting my umbrella made me think of camping, and having it rain on my tent. It's a wonderful noise for falling asleep, especially knowing my tent won't leak.

I had fun telling coworkers to have a Happy Winter Solstice. None of them know I'm pagan, and most of them just laughed and thanked me.

Made coffeecake. OMG, the smell. Especially since it has a whole cup of maple syrup, and I used the darker stuff (it's cheaper!). Now I have veggies baking: parsnips, carrots, golden beets. With garlic, oil, parsley, rosemary, oregano. Nummers.

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