I was wandering about on an unexplored path in Lyman Woods when I spotted crocus pushing through the remnants of last Autumn. Not yet open, they were a wee bit of optimism on a cool and cloudy day. The path was muddy and the grayness of the day lent an air of melancholy to my mood. These determined early spring bulbs offered an antidote of encouragement. Here was life, in its simplest of forms, in budding blooms and clinging to decaying logs on the forest floor.
Sometimes, we just have to look to find hope just beyond our footsteps.
The day turned misty and there were not many folks walking the woods, so, I stayed closer to the entrance, exploring the small, still sleeping gardens near the nature center, scoping it out for future visits with our Up North family. As I shuffled about, I could hear a chorus of spring peepers in the near distance, which called me further along a rustic path.
As I walked, I wondered aloud –
“What is that I see beyond this tree?”.
A little library calling me.
One never knows where a Little Free Library will appear. It may even pop up in a forest.
Of course, I opened the small little door, well appointed with a knob fashioned into a twig. There were several books inside, and I found these two, which I know will be enjoyed by our grandchildren – and their mommy who is known to go owling when she hears the hoots of owls late at night.
What discoveries have you made along your paths lately? Have you found any good books?
Owl Moon image from here
Owl Babies image from here.
Lifeonthecutoff's Blog 
Hoot hot hooray for your lovely owlish finds! Your walk with its promise of spring and your secret library are just perfect . Who could ask for more? Well, maybe a little sunshine and warmth but that is coming. You have inspired me to go for a little walk today.
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I am so glad you saw this as I knew you would find it a “hoot” . It was such a pleasure to find this little secret – and today we had sun! I hope it was glorious down your way, Janet, and that you were able to take the little walk.
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You describe the air of melancholy so well here that it made me very happy to see those bright little buds! I’m glad they were there for you Penny, along with the books!
Since the weather has picked up beautifully here, my path has been my own road. What I’ve stumbled upon recently were three calves out walking and, just yesterday, two ponies! People need to secure their gates better around here. We’ve also seen disgusting blobs of something that looks like it might be frog spawn – but strangely it has been in the middle of the road! A mystery. And finally, what we’re almost sure was a jellyfish. We’re about 6km from the sea so that’s a mystery too!
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Thank you, Janet.
I love the pastoral setting you live in now and all the creatures you meet on your walks. From donkeys to calves to ponies, it is a storybook setting if ever there was. Jellyfish and frog spawn? I wonder if any of your neighbors are finding these. I forget. Did you have high waters recently?
Your goat is going to feel right at home. Hope you had a good day.
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The goat was just an April Fool’s joke, though I would get one tomorrow if I wasn’t worried about the actual responsibility for caring for it. About a month ago there were some flooded roads around here and ours had a rough spot too, but not bad enough to strand us.
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Ha! Well, you fooled me, Janet. I sometimes think we should have chickens or beehives, but, quickly admit that I do not want the responsibility that goes with them.
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Such delightful discoveries on your woodland walk, Penny! Spotting an early crocus makes my heart sing. Discovering another Little Free Library always makes me so happy. I would just love to build one in front of our house one day! On our drive downstate yesterday, we spotted lots of migrating birds overhead. A thrilling sign of Spring! I’ve been working hard to downsize some flower beds. Today I cut the grass for the first time this season. Thanks so much for taking us along on your walk, Penny. I always love following in your footsteps! Have a happy week! 💗
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Thank you, Dawn. There were so many little joys on a relatively short walk that day. The Little Library was the icing on the cake. 🙂
Oh, I can just imagine what was flying overhead. It is so much easier to see the migrating birds away from the more populated areas. I saw another heron today. It waded almost all the way across a rather small slough. It was mystical going through the water.
You are way ahead of me on gardening, Dawn. Of course, if I stopped chasing birds . . . 🙂 Wow! cutting grass already. You are working so hard getting your garden ready, downsizing and rearranging.
Here’s to a good and happy week for you as well.
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I give you a lot of credit for knowing how to keep going and investigating “just a little further,” and also understanding what it takes to try to defeat the shadows that creep into our lives sometimes. I love the way you describe your nature walk, Penny, and to be rewarded additionally by the Little Library! How wonderful! I’m familiar with the two books from my preschool teaching days and they are truly delightful! I hope you’ll continue to have little promises of spring to cheer you, my friend. I think some consistent weather that pulls you outdoors and sets you to wandering and discovering would be a wonderful April!
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That is such a kind thing to say, Debra. Thank you. We are kindred in many ways.
The Little Library was an unexpected surprise and the books good finds which will find their way to our Up North family. 🙂 I have a few nature books here that I will put in the Little Library box in return, which is a ruse to get me back to this Forest Preserve. 🙂
Our spring has been odd; much like the weather in general. I don’t mind the cooler temperatures as much as the gray and gloom. Still, the daffodils are starting to blossom, trees and shrubs are blooming, and we are seeing so many migrating birds this year. No matter where I roam, I am seeing hawks circling and heron fishing – really, just a different kind of spring. We are all craving sun, though!
Take care, my friend.
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You take the best walks, Penny. How wonderful to find that little library. And the crocuses!
I’m still waiting for the flowers to try again around here. Some were daunted by the return of the cold weather.
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Aw . . . thanks, L. Marie. I love these little libraries and the inner child in me always manages to escape when I find one.
With this weather, I’m thinking the crocuses haven’t opened up yet. Hasn’t this been the oddest of weather? It feels like March. I hope the flowers around you bloom very soon. It is time.
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I don’t know which would fill me with more joy — the first crocus of the season or the completely unexpected little free library in the woods. Both finds are reasons to celebrate being alive! As are the two perfect books you found .. and the anticipation of sharing them with two very special people (and their mother!)
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I share that feeling, Sallie, and agree! They were exciting woodland encounters and made my day. Thanks, Sallie. Today – it is sleeting. 😦
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It is amazing what a walk can do to lift our spirits. I love the little library and your two books. I remember reading Owl Moon to my children in school .
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It surely is, Gerlinde. I’m sitting here on what is a rare, sunny morning, thinking I need a bit of a walk today. 🙂 I was delighted to find Owl Moon. My grandchildren will enjoy it, but, my daughter, their mommy, probably will enjoy it more. A few nights before my walk, she heard what I think were horned owls outside – and went looking for them. She found them. 🙂
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Penny, this is beautiful. Those little crocuses are such a brilliant colour, and then there’s the sweet treasure of the woody library in an unexpected place. Your sentence ‘Sometimes, we just have to look to find hope just beyond our footsteps’ is perfect. I’m hugging it to me. Spring is bringing out the poet in you. Thank you.
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Thank you, Juliet. Your words are kind and much appreciated. Crocuses are such harbingers of spring and can poke through snow. Actually, they are even more brilliant against the white of snow, but, I am loving seeing them now.
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What a special walk, and what a pleasant surprise to find the Little Free Library with books suited for your grandchildren. I feel sorry for people who don’t take the time to explore forest preserves and natural places–these are life-enriching resources. I’m happy to hear your mood was lifted that day. Hope all’s well.
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Thank you, Susan. It was a most pleasant and uplifting walk. I have been past Lyman Woods many, many times, but, had never stopped. A friend told me about it and I acted on an impulse, much to my delight. They have bee hives there. I’m hoping to stop back once the bees are active and maybe, just maybe, buy some local honey.
I hope you are having some walks – and runs – yourself these days.
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[…] My proclivity to veering off-road once again steered me into an adventure – this time in Lyman Woods. In my defense, I was scoping out the location for a possible field trip for our garden club. That’s my excuse, and I’m sticking to it. These woods are in plain sight on a fairly well-traveled road. I had visited once before, discovering a charmed woods and a Little Free Library, which you can find more information about here. […]
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