for the beauty of the earth

When I was a teenager I was a full-blown 1800's addict. Give me any prairie-style or English romance and I was all for swooning.  Fire wood chopping, reading by candle light, visiting in the parlour romance.  My first prom dress, in fact, had an Empire waste because I was on a Sense and Sensibility kick.  This year I made the decision to read EVERY Jane Austen book (even though it was actually a last year goal).  So far, I have just begun, but it excites me to no end.  Upon pondering, I think a lot of the desire for such romance is the romance with nature.  Each 1800's movie or place is in a time where building was not so much building and more land.  Beautiful, rich, and vast green land.

During a recent weekend, I was reminded of that same passion.

The simplicity of nature.

Living in a city has it's rewards, but I have come to the conclusion that my soul also needs the country at times.  Thankfully, a family member just moved to a place that has that life in abundance, and so for a weekend away it's really the perfect way to recharge. On our recent visit, I was really overcome with the beauty of nature and how my senses craved what it didn't know it was missing.  I actually took a breath. A much needed breath.  And what a necessity that was.

With that said, I want to encourage all of us to experience land right now...wherever you are.  Take a breath.  Drink it in.  Remember a time and place where this beauty was all around.  Even if you are in the desert.  Even if cold is already around the corner.  

 This Earth is beautiful.