Reflections upon a puddle in the creek.

Nature photo of the day: layers of reflections in the creek, plus an apple floating about. Apple bobbing, anyone?!

the season slowly begins to fade
into brighter colors, matured by summer sun,
drought, and a little more wisdom
than before, a heavy realization that is the weight
of a leaf, turning orange
while most of its neighbors are still green
as i peer into the water, i wonder
if the reflections i see are a window
and the one i am in is but a mirage
or if both the echo and the "real world" are equally
authentic, identical opposites
where there was once rushing water,
now there is a mirror to another forest,
unknown, yet familiar
and i sit here, relishing in both worlds
- Csermely 

It’s sit spot time again, & I’m so excited to share my newest sit spot with you all! Last month, I perched in a hayfield up the mountain, intently listening to the world around me. Since then, the heydays of summer have come to an end, now replaced by the almost autumnal breezy days of August.

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Though we have noticed the first signs of fall already, the heat and drought is still very summery - and not only is the land dry, but the creek is parched too. Yesterday, there was literally no water flowing in the creek, only abiding in small pools in the creek bed.

We have never seen the water level so low, but thanks to water thieves, & of course having very little rain in recent months, we’ve been able to sit in the creek itself, something which wasn’t possible before without getting wet.

The creek was one of the main reasons we chose this house in the village nine years ago; when we saw it at the back of the property, we instantly felt at home. Ever since then, this creek has held a special place in my heart. In fact, my first sit spot post, which we published in May, was also by the creek - and now, I returned, just a little further down stream.

This month, I could sit in the creek itself, on a beautiful big rock that has been sitting in the same place for thousands, if not millions, of years. Big stones have always fascinated me, & remind me of just how short human lives are compared to that of a boulder.

The stone I sat on this morning is right next to another big boulder that I should mention, because many moons ago, I used to build (and rebuild, after the rain washed it away) fairy apartments beneath it.

In the dark space under this rock, I used to place little “furniture” made of sticks and moss, build a wall around it with clay, and even put walnuts and plants in there for the fairies to eat when they stop by and rest for a spell.

I haven’t thought of this memory in a long time. This is why I love revisiting places in nature: they bring up memories in a way photos do not, & evoke a feeling in us that only analog remembrances can.

And here, it is true: for when a storm comes through, this quiet creek becomes a roaring torrent of water which even covers the biggest rocks in the creek.

I wouldn’t like to be stuck sitting on that rock when the inevitable rain arrives - just as it did in July of 2024 in the video featured above.

Though this extended drought is unpleasant in many ways, it also makes me grateful…

This month’s sit spot has brought up many wondrous memories in me, and more than that, it has helped me realize that the world is made up of opposites: fall and spring, summer and winter, night and day, dry and wet, sun and rain, but to mention a few. Not to mention the ever-present, liminal in-between.

Even though we may not enjoy certain opposites as much as their counterparts, we should sit long enough to find appreciation for them all. For without the drought, I wouldn’t have been able to sit on this wonderful stone, & I couldn’t have shared it with you here.

What opposites have you experienced this summer in nature, & how do you celebrate them when they arise?

I’d love to hear about it in the comments, as well as all about your new sit spot for this month! Try to find a place that you have some connection to from years ago - maybe a place you haven’t visited in a long time, like a mountain, forest, lake, or a certain tree.

Then settle down, and truly begin to notice everything in your surroundings. This will not only slow you down, but will also serve as your analog retreat whenever you need it - so choose your spot wisely, dear reader!

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With gratitude,

P.S. I’d like to thank all of you for reading the Daily Dose of Nature, whether you’re a paid subscriber, or a free one. Your support really does make a difference, and when you pay, the proceeds go towards buying treats for the crows, and coffee for us, so we can continue rekindling love for nature in the hearts of everyone who reads our posts. Thank you for being here!