I listened to an episode of the #1000hoursoutside podcast yesterday. Alistair Humphreys was interviewed about his new book called Local: A Search for Nearby Nature and Wildness. In this book, he describes a year-long project to get to know the topography, the plants and animals, the geology, and the community where he lives in England. He spoke about having a “sit spot,” a place to sit on a log and just observe for an hour. No notebook, no phone, no agenda. Just watching and listening. I’m looking forward to reading this book and perhaps applying some of the experiences he talked about to my own life.
I recognize, more clearly than ever before, the benefits of getting outside. Even feeling the sun on my face for the minute it takes me to walk to my car after school has brought a renewed gratitude for something too often taken for granted. This afternoon, I walked under heavy cloud cover even though rain was imminent. The gray clouds seemed to intensify the quiet along the path. I could hear the ripples of water from the stream down the hill. As a cardinal flew out of the thicket, there was no sound, but the red flash caught my eye. The breeze on my face helped clear my mind of the clutter of the week.
As I begin this month of daily Slice of Life writing, I’ll be writing local. Right here.
Thank you to all who make this writing space
a place of safety, support, and beauty.
pelicansandprose 
I love this idea of a sit spot. We just bought our place and my sit spot is a little lakeview where I watch the sunsets in the evening. It’s the best time of year right now in Florida to do this. Thanks for sharing your words.
What a beautiful description of the nature you observed on the walk to your car! I love the vivid details you included that helped me feel like I was there on your walk with you. This slice is a great testament to what is out there for us to notice, if only we pay attention.
It ‘s great to be back and read your writing again.
Thank you for reminding us to be intentional about observing and acknowledging the details of our environment. There is so much to appreciate about nature.
Great ideas you share here! I could do with a sit spot. For awhile at school one year we had sit spots outside and observed trees.
Thank you for the reminder to take in the beauty of nature wherever we are. I often feel like I need to take a whole afternoon to go drive someplace “natury” in order to get the benefits of being outdoors, but that’s not true at all. Just noticing the sky and the feel of air as I walk to my car can be a good reset.
I love all the sensations as you take us along on your refreshing walk, under a gray cloud but with that flash of cardinal red. I think staying local is the perfect metaphor for slice of life.
So glad to read you here, Marilyn.
A sit spot! I have sit spots on my porches…now if the weather would just coopearte a little more to enjoy them!
Oooh… sit spots and nature. Despite the cloud cover, your slice is like the “red flash” of the soundless cardinal. Lovely details.