Iowa, enjoy and seek to appreciate

How quiet and serene our January morning dog walk along now tranquil Indian Creek. Struck dumb I was at the sight of the heavily hoar-frosted trees, with their leafless branches almost white in a sunless sky.

No birds fluttering or stirring, no squirrels moving about, no wildlife calling for our attention, no maintenance or construction noise to disturb our thoughts.

Does my faithful spaniel share in my quiet celebration and awe? Does her keen sense of smell and her oneness with nature tell her far more than what we can share?

On the old iron and wood walk bridge, I stand transfixed above the busy water, hurrying, eddying, churning and gurgling on its destined journey to who can say where.

Is this a foretaste of what awaits us on the other side? No, this is Iowa. Best we enjoy and seek to appreciate what's available here, on this side of existence. Come walk with us.

Harley Donald

Marion