Capturing my gaze, the silk glistened in the sunlight. Dew drops like crystals hung from the delicate creation. Unable to look away, I paused to admire the beautifully designed spider web. How could something crafted to ensnare prey be so breathtaking? Our world is filled with beautiful...
Early each morning my grandfather left the house to meet the delivery man at the store. Greeting the delivery man by name, he was the first one to lay eyes on the inventory - brand new Hot Wheels. Years of his life were spent hunting...
"It's a lost cause," I thought to myself as I looked out the window. Having been neglected for two years, my once beautiful vegetable garden was now a tangled mess of ankle-deep grasses, weeds, and thorns. Every time I looked at it, all I could see was my...
Eight bags lined the hallway outside my four daughters' bedrooms. Tired of living in a constant state of clutter, the girls decided to clean out their closet and purge some clothes. Before they could discern what should stay and what should go, they covered every...
The trail began as a flat dirt path surrounded by green grass, wide enough to walk beside a friend. Gradually it shifted. Rocks replaced dirt and the grass disappeared as the trail narrowed and pushed deeper into the woods, steeper with each step. Stepping over logs and clinging...
Scattered all over the table and spilling onto the floor, our gear for tomorrow's backpacking adventure filled our dining room. Afraid we would forget something essential, we checked our list meticulously. Hiking gear, food, fuel, first aid, rain gear, cook stove, tents - all accounted for. Earlier...
After a long day of hiking, our canteens were empty and our bodies yearned for rest and replenishment. We passed a sign on the path labeled "Spring" with an arrow pointing to a spur trail through the woods. Water from a cold, clean mountain spring was just the...
The rain began pattering our tent before the sun came up. Yesterday, we hiked a few miles up a steep trail and were blessed with a beautiful view of the valley from the mountain peak. The mid-July weather had been perfect--sunny, not too hot, not too...
"What is your favorite part of this weekend?" My cousin asked as she leaned across the table with a smile. "Having everyone under the same roof," I said confidently. It had been a year since we had all been together. "What is the hardest part of the...