May 11th, 2010 was a blustery, windy driving rain that pounded into the gushy surface of the newly plowed path along First Pond on our property. The Leopard frogs were muted as they wished for warmer weather. The carp were motionless in the morning newness. I lifted my eyes to the heavenly skies and off the Big Bend roost an immature Bald Eagle flew on renewed wings. I lifted my fingertips up-ward and sang the ancient song and asked God, Creator, Spirit for a strong sign to stir up my soul with renewed peace and love. I sank deeper into the mud and the cattle have been locked off First Pond Pasture after the cleaning of the path of fallen logs. I made it half way through the clay, mud mixture and the rain was pelting me. I actually stopped and knew I’d see something in the pause. A yellow and red honeysuckle dodged the raindrops merrily. Then I plodded on with saturated hair, soaked snowpants, boots mudded up to their tops and a serenity that surpasses all human understanding. I was pausing again and the squack bird flew from a resting spot in the reeds 3 feet away from me. A leggy bird with orange feet and a brown/gray feathered body and a sharp, long beak for spearing. I blessed and released the days and sloshed my way back from chores and into a warm shower.

The evening venture to Big Bend and along First Pond were the big sign I asked for. There so deep in the mud were wolf tracks, next to coyote tracks, my tracks, Sandhill Crane and deer tracks.

Feel the connection to yourself and the river that runs through you,

Sue Roskos