Timeless beauty.

Standards of beauty are fickle, right? Fashion trends change practically daily, and we are told, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder." That's all correct. But, it's also totally wrong. There is timeless beauty around us daily: flowers, sunsets, sunrises, clouds, birds, the geometry of nautilus shells, the pattern of planets around the sun, musical wind, thunderstorms, rain, fresh air. In the eye of the beholder? Who can find fault in the glory of warm sunlight on the skin? That's timeless beauty, and all we need to do is pay attention. Isn't that incredible?



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Why do we value beauty so much? Aside from being pleasant to look at, is there any other reason? Advertisers spend billions on models who strut around wearing products. Movies, generally speaking, feature attractive actors playing the parts. Smiling beauties sell more stuff than frowning ordinary people. There's something in our brains that responds favorably to beauty with an endorphin surge. There's quite literally a physical reaction to beauty. You see this in various ways: pupils dilating, posture straightening, smiles, and a whole host of other responses. Have you ever bent over to smell the flowers? That's a positive response.

And, yet, we go around scoring beauty wherever we find it. Flowers aren't colorful enough, the babbling brook isn't quite the right sound, our hair isn't curly or is too curly, the sunset is too red. Actually, I bet we complain about nearly every aspect of beauty, while simultaneously being jealous of it at the same time. We battle this impulse by acknowledging timeless beauty, that never changes and is always gorgeous. And, there's beauty in actions as well: the warm hugs of family, a champion's graciousness to those behind, the helping hands of rescuers, and the strong shoulders of comforters. When you discover timeless beauty, spend a few moments to cherish the experience. It's well worth the effort and time.

- M

Sometimes, it only takes a birdsong to cheer you up.

All my life, I've relished the nature around me. Sadly, I'm often allergic to it as well, but I don't let that get me down. It's fun watching ants, listening to the birds, playing in the water, and finding shapes in the clouds. Birdsong is generally recognized to be cheerful and lovely to hear, it's incredible how they never miss a note and are constantly happy to belt their songs out to the whole world. Then there's the glorious sound of flowing water, wind through trees, waterfalls, smelling flowers, and the list goes on.

I wonder why we don't simply sit back and enjoy nature more often? We rush to and fro, doing many important things, yet hardly spare the time to take in the glories everywhere else. However, nature gets along just fine and is always there when we finally open our eyes. I heartily encourage everyone to relax in the glories of the natural world (except mosquitoes, the little winged monsters). When I was little, we took many vacations just to see natural wonders--the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, many mountains, the Great Plains, and even Carlsbad Caverns (a magnificent hole in the ground).

One of my great regrets is that I haven't given the same gift of experience to my children. Vacations just haven't worked out all that often, though we have had some. Spending time with your family is important, and if you can include a grand wonder then so much the better. Missing that, you can easily go outside, grill some hamburgers, and play in the grass. Then, sit back and find animals and teapots in the clouds. Nature is fun!

- M

Budding flowers, growing grass, and the glories of the outdoors.

Around our area, things are budding and blooming. The tulip trees are lovely (at least until the first heavy rain knocks it all down) and grass is poking up from the ground. Everything is growing and lush, glorying in the sunlight and drinking in the rain.

I hate it.

Okay, no, I love seeing the beauty of nature, I truly do, but my allergies go absolutely ballistic with all the fluff in the air. I'm pretty much allergic to everything--except cats, oddly, but give it time--so the growing season is especially problematic. However, I can still find a good window and watch it along with everyone else. It's glorious and I miss being able to go out for long walks with my wife and lay in the grass. Well, life changes and I must adapt.

That nicely brings me to the topic of bugs ... get ready for the invasion of gnats and flies, wasps and hornets, bees and moths. It's a good thing we have bug spray. But, even bugs are fascinating. At the last state fair, I examined some really incredible displays showing bugs from around the world. The variety is stunning, and their beauty undeniable. Butterflies and moths are flying paintings, hopping critters come in so many sizes I could scarcely believe it, and we all know how gorgeous caterpillars are (except the kind that will actually kill you with their poison hairs).


Amazing, right? They are called Glasswing Butterflies
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So, yes, nature is flexing its muscles and bursting out all around. Enjoy it, while it's being civil and kind and beautiful.

- M

Sharing sunsets with your sweetie

Have you ever shared a glorious sunset with your darling? Do you take the time to enjoy the tranquility of the rain, with your loved one at your side? Would you blink away the world, if only to spend one more sunrise together? Ah, the sweet touch of romance is intoxicating. It's possibly the most overwhelming of all emotional states, causing a plethora of sensations and effects--memory lapses, hot flashes, bewilderment, and giddiness among them. Isn't love grand?

Experiences shared with someone makes the experience far more special and memorable. I have treasured memories of many simple things, just because my wife was with me. It's truly incredible how her presence can lift the mundane to amazing, and the incredible to divine. Anything is better with her at my side. Tonight we watched a fabulous sunset burn its way down out of the sky. She squeezed my waist, gave me a sparkling kiss, and danced back to the car. I'll never forget it.

Sure, I'm a romantic and lyricize everything, but anyone can do the same. Just let your feelings flow (yes, this is one of those times you want feelings to get in the way of logic) and wallow in the froth. Invite your loved one to share in the joy of togetherness, and step into the wonders of nature together. It's well worth the effort, and you may find you'll never want to do without it ever again.

- M

Every creature has a purpose ...

One thing I trust and believe, is that every animal on this great planet has a purpose for being. I may not like the purpose, but I still there is one. For instance, spiders are not exactly beloved creatures, yet without them we would be swiftly inundated with literally tons of bugs. Gophers are a nightmare for cattle and gardeners, yet they till the soil and distribute earth extremely efficiently. I hate mosquitoes, and yet they are great food for fish and amphibians. Some creatures may require a bit of study to find their reason for existing, but I'm convinced they all have one.


Don't you yearn to give this spider a hug?
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It's good to know we have a purpose in life. We human beings are self-aware and generally create our own purposes, for good or ill, so we tend not to think about it much. I doubt birds consider their purpose at all--seems like all they want to do is dive bomb my car and leave their gifts on my windshield. It must be nice not to need to worry about what you should be doing and if you're doing it well.

Funny how simple and easy it is to complicate everything we do. Birds and bumblebees are beautiful, plentiful, and maintain their composure through it all. Maybe it's enough just to know our purpose exists and not to worry to much about it? If you doubt it, just watch children at play. There, you see such innocence and delight that your heart will be lifted and all doubt of human existence will fade away. Children are blessings and signs of greatness to come. Everything has a purpose.

- M

Change in the weather, change of season, change of mind

With the beginning of Fall, I'm reminded by how much I enjoy watching the seasons change. I love the colder weather, especially when it snows, and enjoy the leaves changing colors. People are oddly sensitive to changes in nature--the old howling at the Moon aspect comes to mind--and may become very moody for various reasons. To me, nature's many changes is like a listening to a wonderful symphony. Sure, there's lots of different things going on, but it all works together and forms a masterwork every time.

Seasons all have their own special beauties (though I can make a case for Summer being mostly awful). I have a lifetime of special memories in every season, any kind of weather, and with all kinds of temperaments. We have a saying, which goes, "If you don't like the weather, wait five minutes." I suspect this saying is true nearly anywhere in the world to a certain extent. Take a little bit of time and enjoy the wonder of it all.

Do you have a favorite season, or weather? My wife adores the sounds of rainstorms and thunderstorms (so I've found a neat app which does those sounds by random and therefore never repeats itself). It's very relaxing and gentle, in the same way that sea surf rolling onto a beach eases the soul. Crickets, frogs, and all sorts of animals also make noise people enjoy, but I doubt I'll ever join that crowd. Perhaps I'll change my mind later.. or the weather will vary to make me happy.

- M

The awe and majesty of our universe. Eclipse totality reaction.

Yesterday, a solar eclipse graced the Midwest portion of the United States. I've never seen one before. When I was young, I saw a partial eclipse and thought, "That's it? A bit of the Sun was scooped out and put back? Big deal." I was wrong. Incredibly wrong. Self-assuredly wrong. My problem was thinking I knew all about the amazing activities in our sky. Seeing the totality of the Sun's eclipse took my breath away, stomped on my intelligence, and turned me into a gibbering mound of astonishment.

The best picture I captured of the eclipse.

If you've seen pictures of a total eclipse, then you mentally know what to expect. You know the Sun's corona is visible, in a dark sky, and darkness will envelop the area around you. But, that's just the cold facts. Reality is very different. Crickets begin chirruping, roosters may crow, sudden chill sweeps over you, and the Sun gradually goes out. Incredibly, the Sun dwindles to a sliver, then a line, and then a single point, yet while the Sun shows any light at all there is more than enough light to see. And, then, night falls within seconds. The Sun's single point disappears and there is nothing. Suddenly, where the Sun should be, a brilliant halo glows in the night.

Yes, a halo. I find no other description of what I saw. No wonder the ancients felt vast wonder and placed religious significance on the eclipse of the Sun. I was struck dumb at the sight. All is dark around you, the sky goes from light to night without any stars and only a marvelous halo floating above you. I'll never forget it. My children and I will have this memory for the rest of our lives. Was it worthwhile to travel hours and hours to see a couple minutes of celestial activity. Absolutely! I'd do it again in an instant.

- M

Swim like a fish and drift like a jellyfish

Swimming is something I've done most of my life. Some of my earliest memories are of swimming in public pools (either that, or I'm imagining things, which is completely possible). Besides being marvelous exercise, getting in the water and thrashing around is great for your overall life. Think about it ... water comprises the majority of your own body, so you should really get to know it. Also, you can sink and swim underwater, enjoying the wonders of being weightless.

On the other hand, you can lay back and float on the surface--totally easy in salt water by the way. I think jellyfish have a great idea, drifting with the current to wherever things lead. Although, you won't get anywhere you want to go if you do that, so don't take any life lessons from jellyfish. It's really comfortable though, and I'm amazed how easy you can float in the ocean.

Aside from the obvious quality of cooling you down, why do we enjoy swimming so much? For me, it's because I'm relatively weightless and so my terrible knees don't bother me in the water. Water is a mystery as well, since we really only see what's on the surface and the worlds below are hidden. I've been in submersibles, and I can only imagine life in the depths. Maybe that's why sailors have historically told tall tales of sea creatures? Water is life, wonder, and mystery. Amazing.

- M

Allergies are unkind.

I think nature actively hates me. I somehow am allergic to almost anything that grows--including grass dust. This brings me to another one of my theories. You see, I think there's a connection between how much we run around outside and getting sick from it. When I was a kid, I was outside all the time and loved it. I rolled in straw, ate pebbles, played in mud puddles, and generally frolicked with great aplomb. Now, I'm an indoor hermit and nature hates me. There's a connection.

Okay, I'll admit it's not much a theory as it is pretty much fact. What I wonder is how it happened? When did my allergies cascade to such a level that I can't be outside very much anymore? I still love the outdoors. I enjoy going for walks with my glorious and adorable wife. I want to lay out and watch the clouds roll bye. I'm sad to lose those things. Being indoors too much does hurt your ability to survive in nature, especially regarding your immune system.

We need to get out more. Living indoors is nice and wonderful, but it's reducing our bodies into pathetic jelly globs. Don't let yourself get like me. Get out there and run, play, drink in the sun and strengthen your bodies! You don't want nature to hate you too.

- M

Gone fishing

Have you ever gone out fishing? Or, as my father would say, "Drown some worms." For those of us who aren't professionals, we fish mainly for the joy of occasionally catching something and the companionship of spending time with a friend or two. There's very little brain work required in fishing, so it leaves plenty of time to chat and goof around. Plus, you get out in the sun, enjoy watery breezes, and generally fall in love with nature.



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We do a lot of things for the joy of being with others. Picnics. Barbeques. Church socials. Weddings. Book clubs. There's a never ending list of gatherings. Why? Sure, not everyone enjoys being in a crowd, but not every gathering is large. Pick the size that makes you comfortable and experience those. There's no right or wrong about it. We all need connections to those around us, and what better way than to have fun while you're gathering.

One of the things my teachers drilled into me during elementary school was, "If you want a friend, be a friend." There's a lot of truth there. It goes hand-in-hand with, "No man is an island." We aren't alone in life, no matter how hard we try. Since we can't completely avoid everyone, at least have some fun. Go out in nature, rent a boat, take along some worms, and build some memories.

- M

Lightning and the astonishing beauty of storms

I've enjoyed watching lightning since childhood. Where we were, lightning showed as a weird pearl necklace kind of stroke. My brother and I drew pictures of them (it's actually called "bead lightning," look it up). Those nights of wonder really inspired my imagination and helped me yearn for more ever since. To this day, my wife and I love sitting up and watching a lightning storm. I suppose it's kind of like enjoying a pleasant snowstorm. Nature is lovely.

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Sure, there's the terrifying side of nature, but for now I want to think about how amazing it all is. Who isn't dazzled by a waterfall? Or, what child can resist laying down and finding animals in the clouds? I enjoy watching anthills, water flowing down rivers, and penguins. There's just so much in nature to be excited about, that I simply don't understand why people do go enjoy it more often. I'll never forget so many walks through forests, playing in mountain streams, rolling in meadows, and throwing snowballs in the middle of summer.

 

Rainbows and spring showers are often used as the best of nature, but why stop there? Our parents are constantly telling us to go outside and play, so go do it and you'll be pleased to discover a whole real world out there. Think I'm joking? Take a look. It's not virtual, or a game. It's totally real! You can even touch it. Wow. Go find your own fascination.

 

- M

Snow! The fabulous stuff of Winter!

Sadly, I live in a state where Winter is more a suggestion than a reality. We do get a chance to see snow now and again, but it rarely stays. As a matter of course, snow removal is usually wait and let it melt. Ah well. I do hope sometime to enjoy another white Christmas, but I may be waiting for a long time. And, yes, I do enjoy both looking at snow and driving in it. There's a particular thrill only enjoyed by sliding around in the snow.

 

There was a time when we actually had an honest-to-goodness blizzard, including white-out conditions. My wife and I threw on our heavy coats and we mustered the kids (grumbling and complaining) to slog through the snow and go to a corner gas station. We couldn't see more than a few feet, but I have an excellent sense of direction and it wasn't far. We made it to the gas station, had hot chocolate and hot coffee, then trudged back. There were amazing drifts by that point...

 

A small drift, likely melted by mid-morning I think..

You see, that's a memory our kids will cherish forever. Possibly they will regale others with lyrical renditions of how awful it was and how terrible it was for me to force it on them. That's a solid memory for them! They'll never forgive--er, forget it. Life is built of such memories. It was wonderful.

 

- M

Maps and ancient lands...

Part of my childhood was spent staring at maps. Old, new, distant, near. I didn't care. I just like them. I love the shapes of nature (especially coastlines) and how it all fits together. It still impresses me. One of my favorites is still the map of the "Lonely Mountain" in the beginning of "The Hobbit." I love the simplicity and the mystery--maps with secret codes, neat! Probably because of it I still draw my own and still enjoy secret languages.

Fantasy worlds typically have their own maps, hopefully done in such a way so the reader can reference it easily. The popular "Game of Thrones" world is like that, and is vast and complex and has all sorts of interesting nooks and crannies. I think it gives a nice little nudge to the imagination and helps the audience accept the world faster and with fewer complications. Of course, then the story must match the map, but I think it helps more than it hurts. Without a map, the world is a hopeful generalization, imagined better or worse by the varied audiences.

One thing I'd love to collect is a really old, ancient, map of verified authenticity. Well, maybe two or three, but still old and filled with uncertainty. And, beside them hopefully a map of the "Lonely Mountain." And, perhaps a sword or two, maybe a shield, and a poleaxe. Perhaps some wood panels, shelves, a lift to another floor, railings, and books everywhere in shelves to the ceiling. Yup, I have my dream room already designed.

This is the writer's annex of my dream office.

- M

Thunderstorms, Lightning and Thunder. Incredible.

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I adore thunderstorms, especially with tons of spectacular lightning. Some of my fondest childhood memories are of sketching lightning--though it was peculiar because what I remember are lightning strokes that featured circular strokes on occasion. My brother and I would draw them and marvel at the complexity. I've never seen lightning like that here in the USA, but we saw it all the time in Austria. Still, listening to thunder and watching lightning is a continuing pastime--and my lovely wife enjoys it too; what a gal!

Artists like thunderstorms as well, because you can find a warehouse full of art with storm clouds as the main component. Puffy and billowing expanses of turbulent vapor makes the heart go wild. It's just pretty. Beautiful. The magnificence of unbridled nature. We can get wrapped up in the philosophical intricacies, but why not just accept the beauty and move on? It's staggering actually, how the night sky can light up with threads of silver-blue fire and we boggle at it.

What things excite you? Are there displays of nature that dazzle? Is it something you found by surprise? Do you search for amazement?

The long and short of it is we can find awe and wonder wherever we look. There's a reason kids are fascinated by an anthill. They are seeing many things for the very first time. Look through those eyes again. See things brand new and special. The world is worth it.

- M