Reading to Reawaken All Senses

I've been wanting to consciously tune into nature again and more. My art depends on employing all of my senses, needs it. But with all the distractions of world and nation struggles, stress, and even a concussion, (which led to no writing or artwork for these past four months -piercing headaches that came with inattention to the 'healing rules'.) A result is I've known discombobulation/disconnectedness. It's not like me. Lately, whether I'm walking through the Boreal forests of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, hiking along Lake Superior, or just strolling around our small city, I get lost in my thoughts, overthinking and analyzing, spinning into complicated thought processes. The books I'm reading now help me stay in the moment and truly appreciate what nature offers ongoing, to truly soak it in. To stop, hear the birds, not stare, be non-threatening. To feel the air. To be cognizant of my whole body in movement and standing. (Helpful with my three decades of tai chi)

Being in the arts brings gifts: the ability to disappear into creating, to let go of the stressful machinations of modern society. I'm back, mostly. Couple more months and completely, I've been told.

Fedarko's book, A Walk in the Park, has such a depth of observation! His words on the Grand Canyon hike are full of vivid details about the plants, wildlife, the changing colors of the cliffs, the history of the canyon and its peoples, and all the sensory experiences—it's just so rich.

The other books explore the vastness of the animal world—wisdom, emotions, senses, family, memory

... It's such a comfort these days to read about those who truly Hear, See, and Listen.

Walking our dog. The buds and blossoms, backlit by a morning sun. Today, bumblebees and honeybees are visiting the Creeping Charlie that dominates our lawn. These blossom early, stay green, drought tolerant and are soft to walk on barefoot. (and creep into all the gardens)

A Walk in the Park - Kevin Fedarko: The true story of a spectacular misadventure in the Grand Canyon (Well, a misadventure initially, then they took the canyon seriously)

Eavesdropping on Animals -George Buman: What we learn from animal conversations

Conversations with Birds -Priyanka Kumar: Essays on birds as portals to and enchanted worlds

An Immense World -Ed Yong: How animal senses reveal the hidden realms around us