Eshtal

The White Valley

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 22:35:03 GMT

A small valley covered in a deep layer of snow. The moonlight trickles down through the thin layer of clouds and reflects off the snow and again off the clouds to give the glade a gentle, dim light. It is closed in by white pine trees and steep banks of snow. Under the snow is heard the trickle of the small stream that cut this valley. The falling snow is thick but gentle and everything is so quiet. The world is reduced to this; what can be seen, the silence that can't be heard, and the stillness that penetrates the soul. This is another world, a place where one might meet a fairy or a talking beaver. Ahead, further down the stream the trees form a kind of tunnel and its mysterious darkness is filled with promise. It is the kind of place where a unicorn could be drinking, but I know not to go in there. I have pushed the boundaries of reality far enough. To go in there is to gamble the promise, with disappointment the likely outcome, plus I might break through the ice and get my feet wet. Instead, I stand there drinking in the promise and imagining, and for a moment I am in this different world where squirrels really do talk. Then, from the tunnel of trees comes the sound of twigs snapping and snow crunching

Is it 2008 yet?!

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 06:49:13 GMT

secret

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 07:04:54 GMT

I have been told sometimes I have a smile or look in my eyes that says I have a secret no one else knows. That was partly true. My secret is life is wonderful. I hope others know my secret too.

The soul is refreshed, and the hot chocolate will not mix.

Sun, 10 Apr 2005 23:55:18 GMT

As a matter of course, I went for a walk to watch the melting snow. I was amazed at the sense of movement it caused, but I also noticed coal creek was running high. The swift motion looked like so much fun, and I couldn’t help but to do the insane. So, I got out my little raft, which is really nothing more than a child’s water toy with a small kayak style paddle. I think it is only rated for 115lb, but they always underrate those. I figured I would have a little fun, water would get in the boat, and I would come home cold and wet and take a warm shower. Well, it was exhilarating and fast and so much fun, but I came to a bit of a dam and noticed how soft the sides of the boat were starting to feel a little soft. I quickly bailed out onto the bank and found the hole in the bottom of the boat. So, reluctantly I decided it was time to go home. Unfortunately, I was on the wrong bank and the raft was losing air too quickly to risk paddling across. So, boat in one hand, paddle in the other I started across on branches that barely supported my weight. At one point I have either foot on separate branches a good 3.5 feet away, and I am using the paddle at the bottom of the creek as my third support point. Surpassingly I make it across without a spill. Now I am home, far less wet than expected drinking hot chocolate. It has seldom tasted as satisfying, but now I have some patching to do. Should have stuck to the part of the creek I know. It has fewer snags.

I chose freedom over perfection

Mon, 28 Mar 2005 23:24:53 GMT