Maria Lisa Polegatto October 2025
It's the weekend and I'm looking forward to bathing in the forest where beauty, magic and stillness abound! The fall is such a lovely time to be in nature as the leaves turn from greens to hues of reds, yellows and browns preparing for winter.
Leaves are nitrogen for the soil. They blanket but also fertilize and nourish as they decompose over the seasons waiting for new growth buds to peek out and stretch up in the springtime. There is no need to rake up leaves from your lawn - nature's free ecosystem nutrients. Instead go out and marvel at their beauty, play in the leaf piles, mow them if you must to shred them, but let them do their job they take seriously as they cover the ground for it's winter slumber.
As I drive to my destination deep in nature, I enjoy the trees that line the roadways and seem to have even more brilliance than last year. At my destination I prepare for my trek with proper clothing for the season with layers that breathe, comfortable boots for hiking, and snacks for a long immersion in nature.
The birds never disappoint with their song and calling each other. I join in to talk to them in their language as best I can. As I call to the squirrels, I hear the whirl of the wings of a raven fly over and above me. While the forests are living ecosystems, we are often oblivious to life that exists among them. The fungi networks are running below the surface along with tree roots feeding and connecting to protect their family. It's a way of life that supports life on earth. Every organism and species having a purpose and benefit.
The wildlife, while not always seen, is sometimes heard - chickadees, ravens, squirrels, sometimes howls from coyote, both delight and can scare. It is their forest and they know it inside and out - the cracks and crevices hidden from sight. They have protection, awareness and food source we have since forgotten with the conveniences of urban lifestyles.
Walking along the bed of leaves on the trail, listening, breathing, experiencing, connecting with nature allows for resilience and the mind to relax and have new thoughts and ideas to pop in. It replaces the thoughts and stresses of everyday life. It's no wonder we walk away from the forest with such a refreshed and vibrant mind, body and soul.
While I am never alone, I can feel the warmth and invitation of nature reach out to me. Paws roam to experience every inch of the forest floor from trails to water with scents to delight. Snacks are better in forest and sometimes if you know for sure what you have found, nature can provide a banquet of berries bursting with flavor.
I recently heard - you only have to eat something once to know if it's safe! When in doubt, leave it there. Except for anything that doesn't belong in nature - plastics and such, we take along a mesh bag to collect and remove from nature that which can harm it.
My trip back home is never fast - it is slow and relaxing. Our breath is clearer as is our mind. While our body is sometimes tired from a long trek, it is refreshed and ready for the world. Until next time, we can wander into the forest and delight in its wonder.
Leaves are nitrogen for the soil. They blanket but also fertilize and nourish as they decompose over the seasons waiting for new growth buds to peek out and stretch up in the springtime. There is no need to rake up leaves from your lawn - nature's free ecosystem nutrients. Instead go out and marvel at their beauty, play in the leaf piles, mow them if you must to shred them, but let them do their job they take seriously as they cover the ground for it's winter slumber.
As I drive to my destination deep in nature, I enjoy the trees that line the roadways and seem to have even more brilliance than last year. At my destination I prepare for my trek with proper clothing for the season with layers that breathe, comfortable boots for hiking, and snacks for a long immersion in nature.
The birds never disappoint with their song and calling each other. I join in to talk to them in their language as best I can. As I call to the squirrels, I hear the whirl of the wings of a raven fly over and above me. While the forests are living ecosystems, we are often oblivious to life that exists among them. The fungi networks are running below the surface along with tree roots feeding and connecting to protect their family. It's a way of life that supports life on earth. Every organism and species having a purpose and benefit.
The wildlife, while not always seen, is sometimes heard - chickadees, ravens, squirrels, sometimes howls from coyote, both delight and can scare. It is their forest and they know it inside and out - the cracks and crevices hidden from sight. They have protection, awareness and food source we have since forgotten with the conveniences of urban lifestyles.
Walking along the bed of leaves on the trail, listening, breathing, experiencing, connecting with nature allows for resilience and the mind to relax and have new thoughts and ideas to pop in. It replaces the thoughts and stresses of everyday life. It's no wonder we walk away from the forest with such a refreshed and vibrant mind, body and soul.
While I am never alone, I can feel the warmth and invitation of nature reach out to me. Paws roam to experience every inch of the forest floor from trails to water with scents to delight. Snacks are better in forest and sometimes if you know for sure what you have found, nature can provide a banquet of berries bursting with flavor.
I recently heard - you only have to eat something once to know if it's safe! When in doubt, leave it there. Except for anything that doesn't belong in nature - plastics and such, we take along a mesh bag to collect and remove from nature that which can harm it.
My trip back home is never fast - it is slow and relaxing. Our breath is clearer as is our mind. While our body is sometimes tired from a long trek, it is refreshed and ready for the world. Until next time, we can wander into the forest and delight in its wonder.
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