Pathless pleasure.

“There is pleasure in the pathless woods”
- Byron

Out to wander the woods today in search of morels.

A simple pleasure ... riding in the back of a pickup with the tailgate down.

A blue heron flew overhead as we entered the woods.

Rain pattered on the leafy floor of the forest for most of the day, bringing to life the perfume of the woods.

Stillness.

Blue jays.

Turkeys.

Green.

Heightened awareness.

Looking closely.

And then ...

Finding a morel is like unexpectedly seeing friend you haven't seen in a long time ... but have been thinking about a great deal.

Surprise.

Exuberance.

Wonder.

Appreciation.

A great day.

Later, a couple handfuls of arborio rice, some home-grown asparagus, two heads of garlic, 3/8lb. of butter, and those woodland treasures became dinner.