On my walk this morning, I walked past this pond. It is part of my daily walk. On the surface of part of the pond was a thin layer of ice. In a previous post, my featured image was of a layer of ice on the same pond but on a different day. I look forward to seeing if there is ice on the pond each morning and what the ice formations look like. To me…they are stunners. Crazy cool how it forms patterns, textures, symmetry, and shapes. Nature is amazing to me. Beautiful works of art that change every single day. Always moving. Coming and going. Mind-boggling to my little pea brain. I sometimes wonder how people fail to appreciate the artwork all around them…including the one looking at them in the mirror…the greatest piece of artwork ever created.
I thought I would share a couple of the shots for all to enjoy. What I find even greater…is the math and science within the artwork. Everything is so wonderfully complex if you have the eyes to see the complexities contained within.
Hiking
If you read anything on this blog, you get I am a bit of a nature nut. My preference is to be outdoors. For some reason, hiking suits my mood. 24/7. Even in the snow and rain…I am game. Let’s go!
This picture was taken over a decade ago at the beginning of a 12-mile hike. 6 up the mountain and 6 down. The boots I am wearing in the picture were ready and worn in for the occasion.
However, coming down the mountain…I KNEW I was throwing the things away when I got back to the cabin. Pieces of JUNK.
My feet hurt, my knees hurt, my hips hurt, and my back hurt. BUT wait…there is more. On this hike, I jammed both big toes…losing both toenails. Wowser Bowser Man!!! The hike down the mountain was done with pain every step of the way. Not kidding. Every foot placement hurt.
Each step was an exercise in self-control of what I shouldn’t say, how I wouldn’t quit, how I was going to finish my hike, and how I was going to enjoy the beauty around me. Not focus on the pain…just get the job done. Focus on the end goal. Focus on everything positive instead of the pain.
Hannah’s Birthday
Fast forward a few years to Hannah’s 21st birthday. We were sitting in her apartment talking about life and she mentioned she hadn’t seen the mountains. She wanted to get to the mountains. It was on a Wednesday I believe. Always short notice for the two of us. I said to her…how about for your birthday present from me…I take you to the mountains. I will take you hiking. We can stay at an Airbnb and spend the weekend. A nice mother/daughter short adventure.
As always, she was ALL in. We planned to leave on Friday.
I purchased a new pair of hiking boots. Went with a totally different brand this time. Did some quick research of reviews online and decided to go with this pair of Columbia boots.
Now…I am not always the brightest bulb in the shed, so it doesn’t sound smart to buy a new pair of hiking boots and not break them in a bit…but I felt like this was the pair Father had for me. SO, I bought them and wore them.
WOW…what a difference these pair of boots made on my hike with Hannah.
Granted…instead of 12 miles…we only did 5. BUT…the hiking conditions were completely different. It was in January this time and most portions of the park were closed or closing as the day progressed due to incoming inclement weather.
When we started our hike, it was raining pretty good. It rained the entire hike…and had been raining the day before. It made our trail…mud. Cold, wet, and muddy. As we would climb up some of the trails, we were sliding down the trail. Traipsing through mud puddles all day long. By the end, it was snowing a blizzard.
The wind was really rough as well. Before we left, the rangers warned us to watch for falling trees with the weather storm front we had coming in. We actually did have a tree go down on our trail. Super cool.
What was really pleasing to me through our hike that day…my hiking boots kept my feet nice and dry. AND…no pain…anywhere.
The Little Things
Sometimes…the little things…become the most important things. The little details that seem so inconsequential to someone…can make or break another person.
Mitchell and I were talking once and he was sharing with me that a co-worker gave him a wise bit of advice.
The guy said…spend whatever money you need…on two things in life. Your mattress and your work shoes. You spend hours on your feet and hours laying on your back…do your body a favor and spend the money on quality in those two areas.
I told Mitchell…truly wise advice.
For me…my hiking boots are a very little detail in my life…yet are so important to me. It is the difference between a pleasurable hike/walk and a miserable hike/walk. My preference, COMFORT…not pain. The pleasure comes from paying attention to the little details in life.
A couple of days ago, I was crossing a creek/ditch. I have been crossing here daily on my walk. It is a very small deer trail that I follow, and I have noticed the deer hooves along the bank in the mud. Sometimes, the deer slide. I have been careful when I cross to keep my feet out of the water. However, a couple of days ago, I too…slid. My right foot went down into the water. COLD water. It submerged my boot up to just below my ankle.
Waterproof
My first thought…this ain’t good! Not good at all.
My assumption…my foot is going to get wet in seconds. I was waiting on the cold water to start seeping in through my sock.
It did NOT.
After several years, these Columbia boots are still waterproof. I stood there amazed at this revelation of wonderfulness! Just made me smile. Man…they were worth the money. I sometimes marvel at what man-made fabric and chemicals can do. 😂 AND…I haven’t sprayed these babies with waterproofing. AND…I wear these boots almost daily. It is rare that I don’t hike a little over a mile on a daily basis. On woodland trails, through the prairie grass, and up and down creek beds. Not a fan of hiking on flat roads. Where is the adventure in that? 😜
I am such a fan of these boots that Hannah bought her a pair of them for when we go on our hiking adventures. Bobbi has recently followed suit and got herself a pair too.
These pictures were taken a couple of years ago when the girls and I went to Gatlinburg for a weekend getaway. I tell you…nothing makes me happier than for my kids and grandkids to go hiking with me. I absolutely love my family. When we are able to do adventures together…it screams LOVE to me. I love spending time with the people I love…and doing adventures during that time is even better. Super thankful my kids love the outdoors too.
Little Details
Years ago, I had a preacher tell me “God” didn’t care about the little details in life. I was appalled by that statement.
He created DNA man…what are you talking about???? He created every little detail in our lives. Every cell, molecule, nucleus, etc. that your body is made of. He very much cares about every little detail of YOUR life.
My philosophy is this…IF He cares about every little detail, and they are important to Him…then I care about every little detail and they are important to me.
If I care about the little details in MY life…and they are important to me…then He better care about every little detail in my life and they had better be important to Him.
It is reciprocity, see? He cares…so I care. I care…so He cares.
No one can convince me He doesn’t care about the fact that a pair of hiking boots keeps my body comfortable, warm, and dry. As a result, I am super grateful He led me to purchase these Columbia boots. That old pair of boots…I didn’t even bother to ask Him. I learned from my mistake there.
The details matter. Greatly. Even if they don’t matter to YOU…they matter to someone else. For certain, they matter to Father.