Grief in the mist

So today I was a bit hesitant to go up on the hill for my run. It is very misty and we had snow this morning. Once you are off the road its very easy to get lost if there's just the slightest bit of cloud as everything looks the same wherever you turn. However, after I dropped the kids at school I saw a bit of blue sky and decided I'd give it a shot. Within 10 minutes I was lost. I spent about 20 minutes trying to get my bearings until eventually I was back on track... one day I might not be so lucky!

As the mist cleared the scenery became as spectacular as ever. Each day is different up here... a never ending, constantly changing, expression of the seasons.

Down in the valley on my way back the autumnal colours were magical.

I've been deliberating with what topic to begin with on steemit. For some reason I keep coming back to my late Father. He died 10 years ago and our relationship was somewhat unconventional. He certainly wouldn't have won the "Best Dad" award but he taught me A LOT. Not intentionally I might add, because he didn't really have time for that. But through his love of the countryside and gardening I developed my own connection with nature. I watched his eyes twinkle when he planted seeds in anticipation of what they would deliver. I watched his strong teeth crack hazlenuts and his fat muddy fingers peel them for me and place them in my mouth as a child. I helped him shell peas straight from the plant. I was mesmerised by his ability to recognise which mushrooms were edible and which certainly were not. Something deep inside my soul knew that if he thought something was important and interesting then I did too. This is why I think its not really as important to actually "teach" out kids stuff but more importantly, if they watch us falling in love with something then they learn that this really is something you should fall in love with.

My Dad also loved country music. When I was small I had no idea of the gravitas of this. I was into pop, then dance, then reggae... in fact anything but country. But as the years went by something shifted. I had my kids, settled down, life became quite simple and I found myself searching for the familiar sounds of Country. Now its pretty much my favourite genre...currently. I can relate to the lyrics and i'm a little bit obsessed with Southern American Culture. My dream would be to visit Nashville one day. My Dad never made it to America, but there's no doubt if he were alive today he'd be by my side if I ever got to Nashville.

@elizabethharvey