There was a nice breeze this morning so I decided to wander out. I wanted to see if I could find some helleborine and I had only seen it on one path so that is where I headed. This particular quest resulted from an unexpected find on my daughter in law's front lawn. We were armed with saws in order to cut down some saplings which the previous tenant had allowed to grow in unexpected places. When I gave a holler, I think Karen expected that blood might be involved, but, hidden in the clump of brush, I had found several helleborine plants. Being that I have seen these only twice before, and never outside the forest, I was naturally excited. And, on reflection, reminded that beauty is often found in hidden and unexpected places.
Helleborine is a non-native orchid species generally founds in deeper woods. It is also called Bastard Hellebore or Common Helleborine, which seems unkind for such a delicate and intricate plant. I also read that it can be invasive but decided that was wishful thinking.
Unfortunately there were no plants at the spot on the path where I saw them last, and apparently the call for fresh meat had gone out for my location, so it became prudent to leave before the entire mosquito population converged there. I did however, see several Red-Spotted Purple butterflies on the Japanese Honeysuckle enjoying some berries. Being that there are no red spots and the butterfly is basically black, the reason for this name is elusive. It is lovely though, no matter what it is called.
I thought about the myriad of forms that are seen in nature and how, as I walk, I use them to define what I see. Even if you remove colour, as unimaginable as that is, you could identify things just by their shape and pattern.
The black line on the lower wing tells me this is a Viceroy butterfly and not a Monarch.
This unique shape and set of geometric patterns can only be Blue Vervain...
The beautiful pattern of delicate leaves identifies this as a locust tree. The interruption of the leaves by the three-pronged thorns, makes it a Honey Locust tree. The spines are red which hopefully one sees before being impaled, and were used as needles and nails in a previous time. Nature can be armed ... beware.
Just as shape and patterns help to identify things, changes in expected patterns draw your eye to look closer. Clouds are so often random in shape and quickly change with the wind, so when they form a more regular pattern, you are drawn to look and admire.
The mask of the raccoon gives away his hiding spot in the tree...
This cluster, called a Grape Filbert Gall catches the eye because it doesn't belong there.
Or these brown shapes that do not belong here! They actually decided not to clear off the road, so we drove slowly around them while they hissed.
Nearby there was a big tree with some odd growths on it that drew a second look....
turkey vultures gathered to roost for the night.
There are also seasonal patterns and shapes; things that you expect to see at a particular time of year. At this time of year flower forms give way to seed pods and fruit...
like the unusual pods on the Tick-Trefoil...
or the Barberry whose clusters of yellow flowers are now garlands of yellowish green fruits.
The fields are full of patterns, corn in orderly rows, mounds of soya beans in soft lines, and farmers mowing patterns as they harvest what is ripe.
I wandered onto this subject because I had noticed that I was standing on the edge of what John Bunyan wrote of as the Slough of Despond in his book Pilgrim's Progress. This allegory was written a very long time ago and the word 'slough' is not often used today with this same meaning. 'Slough' pronounced 'sloo' like 'clue' or 'slau' like 'cow', and means 'a muddy bog'. Christian, the main character in the story, has fallen into this Slough of Despond and is left to wallow about until he receives help to get out.
Help arrives and pulls Christian out of the slough, and then inquires how Christian got himself into trouble. Christian says that he was afraid and not looking where he was going, ..and how come the government hasn't fixed it or posted signs!! Help (that's his name), says well if you had looked more carefully there are steps to walk on, but your fear has lead you to this place that is filled with "many fears and doubts, and discouraging apprehensions". And Christian leaves, no doubt, quite chastened.
I was thinking that I am most comfortable when my life follows a certain pattern, includes certain routines. Like coffee with a book, and in the summer, the porch..a forest path walk...time to take pictures..lots of quiet time. But life likes to interrupt patterns with things like unrelenting heat, a sore back, no walks. And you don't realize that your mood is starting to go sideways and you can't take the news in stride and I get fearful and have doubts about myself and the future, and then, Slough of Despond. I always expect that I am going to be a little wiser and see the pattern as it is forming, because it is nothing if not familiar, but it sneaks up on you. I don't think that I fell right in this time, but I would like to stay away from the edge too.
So, now that I have seen the shadow, I will work a little harder despite the obstacles, to get in a walk, and sit on the porch and remember that Help is nearby.
And hold my grandbaby.
Older ramblings can be read here;
https://cathybeaudoin.blogspot.com/
