What I Learned from Nature in 2006

Though I learn something new almost every day, two surprises came from nature that continue to inspire me. Here's the essence...

• Nature sparks inspiration -- and art grows here. My grandsons joined me for a walk in the woods. Jonathan, 8, stopped me from stepping on a "geiko" which he deftly rescued and carefully cupped in his hands thoughout our trek. And, though he let this much cherished geiko loose at the end of our trip, he later recaptured it in watercolors at his kitchen table. Jonathan rated his experience in the woods as "better than going to Six Flags," a million-dollar amusement park.
  
  
• Even cats take risks. Every time Ginger, an abandoned cat who discovered our barn, gave birth to kittens they disappeared. But, one day when ten little children played on our large front porch, Ginger carried three prized kitties, one-by one, and placed them at the feet of my daughter-in-law. The children picked them up, cuddled and loved them and amazingly convinced their Mom and Dad to adopt all three. I could not imagine a cat bringing treasures in the midst of squealing children, but she did. And it is an image of risk, I will not forget.

Ben Yoskovitz, at Instigator Blog challenged fellow bloggers to look back in time and ask the question "What did you learn this year?" Ben will donate $5.00 to charity for each entry. These two inspirations are my response to that challenge.

I hope you'll take the baton now and write an entry for Ben!