Aug. 9. Wednesday. —To Boston.
“Walden” published. Elder-berries. Waxwork yellowing.
Henry David Thoreau’s journal entry of August 9, 1854
On August 9, 1854, “Walden, or Life in the Woods” was published. While not a best seller of its time, the book was favorably received and the 2,000 published copies eventually sold. It has remained in publication since 1862. Thoreau was an early environmentalist, attune to nature and living simply. “Walden” continues to be a source of inspiration and Thoreau is often quoted.
I have posted the photo above before in my ramblings here on the Cutoff. It was taken one crisp, sunny, perfect October day a decade or so ago. That day remains one of the best days in my life. Tom and I ordered a lunch from a deli in Concord, Massachusetts then headed to Walden Pond, where we took a long walk in the woods of Thoreau, and ate our lunch sitting on the sun-warmed stones along the pond’s shore, watching rowers and swimmers and shorebirds as we soaked in the brilliance of time and place.
I thought about Walden Pond this morning after reading of today’s anniversary of the publishing of “Walden” and found my mind, then myself, wandering in nature.
As I pulled into the parking area of Lake Katherine, my cell phone rang. It was Tom wondering if I wanted to join him at Maple Lake, where he was headed. It’s interesting how our unspoken ideas often intersect. Tom said he would meet me instead at Lake Katherine.
I started walking around the lake, stopping to look at the beauty around me. A large congregation of ducks were taking their afternoon nap, close to the shore. I stepped a little closer, hoping not to disturb them, when something fluttered in a nearby tree. Can you see it on the far right branch?
I watched for a few minutes before it swept down, slipped amongst the ducks, then wandered to the water’s edge. It wasn’t a duck. It looked like a heron, but, was much smaller and I could see a crop of molting head feathers.
The ducks continued their nap while I inched closer to this shorebird, which reminded me of a black-crowned heron, with long still-like legs moving slowly through the shallow water and grasses.
This bird was surely a youngster, just getting his feet wet, not at all concerned with my closeness (and I was less than a yard away at times). At one point, the bird grabbed at a reed of grass and looked surprised when it didn’t budge or taste as expected.
It walked along the edge, sometimes hidden by the tall grasses, other times perched upon a rock. A gaggle of youngsters in bright pink shirts came by, looking for clues on a summer camp adventure. A trio of men walked by, white shirts and ties loosened, taken a walk on their lunch break, wondering, I’m sure, at what I was intent on photographing.
I think this is a member of the Bittern family. The photos are a bit dark, but, if you click on them they are easier to see the bird.
Tom found me and we walked the mile or so around the lake, sat for a bit while he ate his lunch, enjoying the gorgeous day, before we parted, each of us having a place to be. As I drove away, I thought of Walden and Thoreau and of how his legacy of actions and words resonate even today, and I thought of his essay, “Walking”, and of a simple walk, full of discovery, in nature today.
I wish to speak a word for Nature, for absolute freedom and wildness, as contrasted with a freedom and culture merely civil—to regard man as an inhabitant, or a part and parcel of Nature . . . from “Walking” by Henry David Thoreau
Penny, this post has brought me a sense of great peace as I followed your absorption in the little wonders of nature. I love Thoreau and find him very inspiring. How fortunate to have visited his ‘patch, and no wonder it stands out as such a special day. You and Tom, flowing together like young lovers enjoying an outing, that is to be treasured too. Thank you – and I enjoy zooming in on the bittern. We have them here, and they are very shy.
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I am so pleased to read your comment, Juliet. Thank you.
Thoreau is inspiring to me as well. Visiting Walden’s Pond was a longtime wish of mine. I never imagined how peaceful it has remained and walking the woods that Thoreau walked and lived was as serene as it was memorable.
We are lucky, Tom and I, that we still have these unexpected moments.
Thank you for zooming in and confirming for me that this is a bittern. I was surprised at how close I was able to get and grateful for the experience.
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Well I can’t be sure as our bittern is a different colour, and stays very hidden.
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No small wonder that the earlier visit to Walden Pond has been one of the best days in your life. May you have many more like the one you have described. Seeing the bittern will have to rate as a special day as it was rare indeed. A very idyllic post.
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Thank you, Marilyn. We both treasure that visit to Walden Pond. I am now resisting an urge to go back to Lake Katherine to see if I can find the bittern again, but, phew – it is going to be a very hot, humid day today; one for staying indoors in the air conditioning and get some work done inside. 🙂
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Such a blessing in your day and in your hearts, Penny! I love how you and Tom are so connected that you both had the very same thoughts on that sunny midday. A picnic lunch by a lake is the perfect way to become one with nature. Walking near water is also one of our very favorite things to do. Your photos are just gorgeous, with such vivid reflections in the still water. Thank you for sharing this special walk with us, Penny! Hope you can stay cool during this hot weather, my friend! ♡
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We are blessed, Dawn. Thank you. It is always so pleasant to be near water, I agree. I think it calms the soul and affords us time to reflect. Lake Katherine is peaceful and close by. We are fortunate to have such places near us. Today looks to be a very hot/humid day. I need to water the potted plants and have one morning appointment, then, I will be inside, in the air conditioning. Stay cool and safe, Dawn.
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So very true, Penny! We visited Maple Lake so often when I was growing up. When my husband and I were dating, so many of our dates were wonderful walks near water. It was truly a lovely way to get to know one another’s hearts and dreams. It’s still one of our very favorite ways to enjoy nature! It sounds like we both have the same day planned. I have one early errand and an evening activity at the library. In between, I will stay cool downstairs in my craft studio. It will be much too hot outside! ♡
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What nice memories those must be of you growing up, Dawn. Did you know that Maple Lake was used for the movie, The Lakehouse? A house was built just for the movie then taken down.
Such a nice sentiment; “a lovely way to get to know one another’s hearts and dreams” and a wonderful way to get to know each other.
I needed to be out this afternoon, and saw the outdoor temperature gauge go from 99 to 100. Phew! It was a hot one.
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What a wonderful post. I’ve had Thoreau’s book on my KIndle for ages, your post makes me want to read it soon. Love your photos… it looks so lovely and serene at that lake.
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We are lucky to live close to such beautiful locations, Cath, and that we could take the time for a long walk at Lake Katheine. Thank you.
Thoreau was a naturalist and left a legacy of words for us to turn to in these modern times. It is slower reading – but worth it.
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What a beautiful post Penny. Your day at Walden Pond sounds idyllic and it’s nice that you could remember and think about it and then use it to inspire another nice day in the moment with Tom at Lake Katherine! 🙂
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Walden Pond was idyllic, Janet, and I am so thankful to have those memories and the time we spent there. Thank you.
The only downside to our little walk at Lake Katherine was that neither of us had time to stop at the Plush Horse for ice cream afterwards. 🙂
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Oh no! You must always leave time for that! 😉
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Love these photos, particularly of that mysterious bird. How lovely that you caught sight of him (or her).
I hadn’t realized the anniversary of Walden had drawn nigh.
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He (or she) 🙂 did not seem to mind my picture taking and following up and down the bank. If this bittern had not rustled the tree, I might not have noticed it. My lucky day.
This Walden anniversary date popped up on Facebook and had me reminiscing, and pondering how long ago Walden was published and how long lasting it became.
Thank you, L. Marie.
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What a beautiful post Penny, full of you and your husbands love for nature and each other. I hope you have many more walks and moments like this. I always enjoy reading your blog.
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It was one of those lovely and spontaneous happenings.
Thank you very much, Gerlinde. I hope we do too and I appreciate you taking the time to read her on the Cutoff.
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I love everything about reading this post, Penny. I have never been to Walden Pond, and would think that a truly wonderful destination. Thoreau’s handwritten notes on Walden are at the Huntington Library and I often just look at them in the case and have a bit of an imaginative time just thinking of the beauty of his words. You have shared the joys of finding a day to walk in a beautiful natural setting and just to study what’s around you. There is almost never a time that I don’t fail to find something (or someone) unexpected, just like you did with this little bird. I would have thought him a black-crowned night heron…he looks like it to me, but maybe I’m not distinguishing his markings as clearly. I do understand how much pleasure that time with Tom brought you both, and that’s the most important thing right there!
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Oh, how I would love to see those handwritten notes. How interesting that they ended up at the Huntington. What a treasure you have there, Debra, and I know how often you visit.
I was sure it was a black-crowned night heron, but, the marking are different and did not match up with a juvenile black-crowned night heron, either. I saw one a few years ago at Lake Katherine, and know that there is a “regular” at Fullersburg, so, was sure – until I came home and downloaded the photos. I hope to get back there soon and talk to someone on staff.
Thank you, Debra. It was nice that we were able to meet up and a very nice walk.
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Penny, i think this will be another ‘one of the best days of your life’ to remember! Thank you for sharing it.
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You are very welcome, Sallie. I think it will as well.
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