Chasing the Light

I had a grand plan to catch some live music tonight and report back to you here. My grand plan gave way, instead, to the promise of combining my daily walk and catching a flaming sunset. There was a large grass fire in Galveston County and in looking over the horizon, it was obvious that particulate matter was heavy in the air. If I tucked my camera into my jacket pocket, I might get lucky and get a good capture. Besides, after the wild time I had on New Year's Eve, I decided more fresh air was better.

I wish I could say it was a pleasant scent that greeted me when I hit the street. It was reminiscent of campfires from my youth but that smell doesn't give me the warm fuzzies. It brings back memories of cold, damp nights sleeping in a trailer on the back of a pickup and of long days reaching into dark, murky water to pull up a basket of ugly, slimy fish to add "just one more". I went fishing almost every weekend when I was a little kid and I think I've had enough campfires to last a lifetime.

Soon into my walk I hit my stride and I put the heavy air out of my mind, keeping an eye out for that shimmer or glint of light that would cause me to slow down and take my camera out of my pocket. I walked a mile, two miles. Nothing.

I turned north toward home and crossed over long shadows and settled into what the walk seemed to be - just a good long walk at the end of a workday. As I turned to the east and put the setting sun behind me, I noticed warmth on my shoulders once again and smiled as I watched a line of trees come into my view about thirty yards ahead of me. Each seemed to be bowing and bending, folding and reaching. They were playing with the light even as the light played with them.

I stopped to take a few shots and - yes - I talked to the trees. I thanked them for being so beautiful. I turned and gave a quick nod in thanks to the sun. I waved to a couple of passing cars as they honked at me. I don't think my neighborhood sees a lot of people taking pictures of trees, let along talking to them.

When I arrived home I met a neighbor in the hallway and after we greeted each other, he asked if I am always in such a good mood. Of course I'm not. I think the thing is that he only sees me when I'm coming in from one of my walks. If you connect the dots, it only makes sense.




©Michelle Scofield, January 3, 2012 All Rights Reserved