Meanwhile back at the ranch ……. after a busy week of ups and downs it’s time to rest.

The sun’s shining after a heavy storm last night. A fox scampers towards the thickly wooded area beyond the upper meadow and sits for a moment beneath one of the trees you see in the painting. He ponders my whereabouts briefly before disappearing into the woods to hide, instinctively aware that I’m heading into the forested area too. For tranquility. He understands why. How well he knows the wonder of the woods. The textures, the hues, wafts of earthy fragrances, and sun rays sparkling through the dense foliage. The sheer beauty of nature heals the soul.

After a while I return to dabble with some watercolors. It’s just postcard size—and a start! I’ve not painted in years, and only with oils, but I was recently inspired to venture beyond my artistic comfort zone. It’s good to set aside time for creative expression.

Our souls need it.

And into the forest I go to lose my mind and find my soul.
—John Muir