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Saturday, September 08, 2007

Gifts from the Creek

The gifts that come from living along a creek are endless. Once in awhile (think 100-year floods) there are some prices to be paid also. Generally however, the creek makes for cool sleeping nights, irrigates the fields, makes a nice sound, and provides a home for multiple small creatures. In the summertime, it is always relaxing to sit on its banks or step into its water . It forms the boundary of this farm for about 1/2 mile, which makes for a nice wading experience since there are no other homes close by.

Wading a creek is pretty much a Zen experience in that you really can't think of anything except the moment while you are moving. Not only can it be slick but the little crawdads, in the holes that have a lot, find anything entering their pool worth checking out. There are no holes really deep enough for an adult to swim but there are many where you could get dunked completely if you fell-- which if you were carrying a good camera, would kind of spoil the moment.

I stumbled across found this maple staff and intend to cut it down a bit for a permanent walking stick for me. Yes, it looks rather Moses like at the moment, which appeals to my we're all goddesses side, but it is also quite heavy which might improve some as it dries out. I like the beaver gnawed tip but will see if that seems safe to keep. Falling, with a sharp pointed staff, which I am pretty sure could still happen, might not be so smart.

The reflections last week were wonderful and in the next post I will share some of the few wildflowers still remaining along the banks.

7 comments:

robin andrea said...

That is such a beautiful creek. You are very lucky to have such a fine natural boundary on your land. I love seeing you there with your new walking stick. You look completely in your element.

Anonymous said...

We live on a creek ,too, in the Summertime. Like most natural things in Pennsylvania, the Indians named it. They called it the Perkiomen. Isn't that a nice name?

It runs for miles and in most places it is shallow at the banks and deep in the middle.

When we get a rain that gives us more than 4 or 5 inches in just a few hours the Perkiomen usually floods.

It has come in our cottage many times. We prepare for the flooding by putting everything up on top of bunk beds or shelves. When the water subsides we clean the mud out and start enjoying the place again.

Some people ask us why we stay there and our answer is that it is a beautiful setting and a wonderful family gathering place.

Everyone enjoys coming there for swimming and fishing and ,most of all, for seeing all the other members of our family who love to
come together.

Suzann said...

Rain - I am blessed to share the beautiful places in your life - most of all your reflections, opinions, spirit - with gratitude. I love your creek = gifts from Rain. Blessings.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful pics. Rain you are a very photogenic lady !

Sandy said...

Beautiful pictures Rain, you wouldn't know that fall is just around the corner by looking at them.

Unknown said...

Yes, that does have to be magical to live by a creek. Out of curiosity, are there more mosquitoes though? On my patio I have a small burbling fountain I plug in, but renting right on the ocean in Mexico and in Hawaii has always been magical to me because of the sound. I'm two blocks from the harbor here and I can hear the buoy bells and the seals, but can only hear waves when there is a storm.

Ingineer66 said...

That creek looks like a lot of fun. You can't beat a good water feature near your home. Whether it is man made or natural. It is nice to just sit by my pool sometimes even when it is too cold to get in it.