RIVER BEND NATURE CENTER in Faribault offers a respite from reality, a place to envelope one’s self in nature by walking the wooded trails or the open prairie.
Here, within this place, nature writes poetry.
I read poetic words in signage and flowers and greenery.
In sky and landscape and vistas.
If I walk too quickly, I miss the poetic lines, the nuanced words that create a rhythm of peace in a chaotic world.
It takes discipline to slow down, to notice the descriptive details that hug the earth, that scent the air, that hide within the natural colors of the world.
How often do we as humans choose to hurry through our days, oblivious to those around us? I challenge each of you to slow down, to pause in the busyness of life and look outside yourself and your lives. See your co-worker. See your friend. See your neighbor. See your family member. Then reach out. Connect. Support. Rain your poetry of love upon others.
© Copyright 2019 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Beautiful photos of a beautiful place! Thanks for taking us for a walk.
You are welcome. I walked at River Bend again last evening. I took the photos in this post several weeks ago and, my, how things change in that short time.
Beautiful.
Thank you, Beth Ann.
Audrey,
I feel SO CLOSE to GOD when I walk observing his stunning creation.
I mean, that Guy really amazes me!
xx
I agree. What an amazing world God created. So evident on a walk like this.
Beautiful photos 🙂 I call this becoming one with nature or taking a nature bath. Just slow down, breathe, relax, open your senses and just let nature in and be your guide. Happy Day – Enjoy!
I like that, “nature bath.”
Beautiful photos of an emerging Spring and finding poetry in the smallest of details. Thank you for the reminder to look beyond myself and reach out to those around me–actions which make life so much richer.
You are welcome. I wrote this for others as much as myself. I think the important thing in reaching out to people is to remember to be specific and intentional. Don’t just say, “Let me know if I can help.” That puts the burden on the recipient. Rather, find a specific and concrete way to help and then do it.
Frederick Law Olmstead thought people needed areas to relax in such as this hence he and another designed New York City’s Central Park. He also envisioned suburbs which didn’t quite pan out in reality with his vision. Olmstead could plan years into the future knowing what things looked like now and what they would become. Areas such as these make everyone a little more human. Enjoy.
I like your thought that places like a nature center “make everyone a little more human.”
RNC is a treasure, for sure. Thanks for the nice photos.
We were just there again last evening. Another lovely evening at River Bend.
Dryad’s saddle highly edible mushrooms Smaller is usually better. I make sourdough bread with them, or slice them and saute’ in butter. Nutty taste. AKA Pheasant backs, out west, Hawk backs. Great year for mushrooms. Photo 10.
Thanks for the info, Larry. I’d never pick or eat a mushroom unless absolutely certain (confirmed with an “expert”) that they were edible.
Always love your River Bend posts, beautiful photo’s as always.
Thank you, Jackie.
Lovely! Isn’t it great to be able to go not too far and find such beauty.
Yes, it is.
Beautiful place and beautiful photos, Audrey. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Penny.
What a beautiful post! I especially loved the shots of the fungi and the tiny bird. Yes, slowing down and noticing the poetry all around is a must.
From one poet to another, thank you.
Hello Audrey, It’s been a few days since I last saw your messages to us – and me! I was afraid that I was no longer getting them – and now I found them again. Thanks for the reminders to experience and live in our days today!!
You are welcome, Wyonne. I haven’t blogged much in the past month-plus as my time and focus have been elsewhere. Thank you for remaining a loyal reader despite my absence. I hope to resume writing more regularly as circumstances allow.