autumn finds

I used to love filling my pockets with all the little treasures I would find on my way home from school as a kid. I've always been the one with her head down scanning the ground for smooth stones and seashells on the beach, curious twigs and pine cones in the woods or acorns and conkers by the road.

I've had a phase of a few years now that I haven't brought things home. I'd still pick them up, say hello, stroke them or smell them and carry them for a while, but then I'd say thank you and gently put them back.

Unless it was something extraordinary of course. Like the jet black, round and silky smooth stone I found when D lived in Cornwall. I didn't look for it, it kind of found me and told me to bring him from the beach with me. He's still with us. Just a bit camera shy - so difficult to capture something so black!

The reason I no longer kept finds is because I thought it was a pity to take them from where they belong to a place where they have no purpose, but lately I've begun to think differently again. They do have a small purpose, to bring me a little joy. Remind me of the outside which I love, of small living things, the beauty of natural purposeful things. To dry up, wither away and go back to the soil, reminding me things don't ever stay the same.

Comments

[Angie]

Lovely- I especially like the last photo :-)

[caroline]

Thanks Angie! I like that one too.