When you know the right words you begin to see more clearly.  Everything around you becomes infused with meaning which leads o a more intimate understanding.  Your mental light bulb becomes brighter.

     I am slowly learning the words of the plants that surround me in the forest.  The words that are their scientific names are more difficult to remember.  But I am learning, slowly.  As I Iearn I start to better understand the plants and their characteristics.

     As I sit here in the wet forest, with raindrops making their way to the round, I am surrounded by words.  So many are just a whisper to I am not yet ready to hear them.  When I am ready they will speak loudly and I will finally learn those words.  The world around me will expand for me over and over.  All it takes is an open mind willing to listen and taking the time to learn.

     Take a few moments to stop and look around you.  Listen deeply.  The more you listen the more you will see. Your world will grow with meaning and understanding, one word at a time.

     August has arrived.  Our cold, damp spring has turned into nice summer weather, finally.

     As I venture into the woods today I am taking a trail I haven't traveled in over two years.  I enjoy this trail, but today it is so different because nature changes.  Reacquainting myself with an old friend as I wander will make for a pleasant morning.

     Walking through various habitats, I am reminded that we have entered what I refer to as the season of grass.  The many species of grass are flowering and forming their seeds.  I don't know their names yet.  I will strive to learn them so I can call out their names when I pass by them.  Foxglove is blooming.  Our native blackberry plants will soon offer up ripe berries.  A small, but tasty treat while hiking.
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     If I blink this month will be gone.  Fall is fast approaching.  I need to make more time to appreciated this month.  I hope you are finding time to get outside to breathe in the fragrance of August.