Nature and Friends

Now that I have been home for a few days I'm settling back into my old habits and amusements. Mostly this revolves around, as the title says, nature and friends. Now my friends from home who may be reading this may wonder "When does he amuse himself with nature?" Truth is, I don't usually go out and spend days in the woods, or hunt, or picking flowers. I just love nature for the sake of nature. Being in a city for college has really changed my perspective. I've always been a fan of nature and it's peacefulness. At my dad's house I usually go out and wander in the fields where he keeps his horses or take the 4-wheeler out for a ride to clear my head. There is something about nature that just cleans the soul. Out there you know that everything is pure, clean (ignoring pollution and other human interferences). It's nice to just sit outside ... and breathe. Most people in society these days don't take that opportunity. Life is all about rushing to do this or running to get there. If everyone took a moment to just breathe and look around things might not seem so hectic.

We're surrounded by so much beauty and nobody takes the chance to see it. It kind of helps that I live out in the boonies in the middle of nowhere and the fact that my dad is kind of an outdoors freak, but those aren't bad things. Because of all that I get the chance to do and see a lot of things that most people only dream about. Since being home I've begun to realize how much I've taken all of it for granted. I mean on any given day I can ride a horse, chase a goat, shoot a gun (at something if I really feel like it), chuck a tomahawk at a tree, walk through a forest, go camping, climb a tree (several if I'm feeling squirrelish), walk into the mountains and more. The fact that most people don't have those kinds of choices never crossed my mind. It's not that it's a huge deal or anything, but being away has opened my eyes to how lucky I am to be this close to and involved with nature. I love it and always will, and if any of you feel like visiting and chasing a goat feel free.

Now to the other half of the title ... friends. You really don't realize how much you miss people until you get reunited. I mean I know I missed my best buddies but it really didn't hit me as to how different it is hanging out with them compared to friends at college until I hung out with them last night. We had the craziest conversations ... and I was "forced" to watch High School Musical 3 ... and it was just like old times. It felt so good to experience that nothing had changed though we go to different colleges. A few update stories and then we were the crazy trio again. Simba, Pumbaa, and Timon as they like to call us (I'm Simba of course). There are still a lot of friends that aren't home yet. but it's comforting to know that nothing will ave changed with my best friends. They've all seen me at my best and at my worst and no amount of time will affect our bonds. We are buddies for life and I'm thankful for it.

I guess what I've been rambling about is that I've learned to appreciate all that I have. I really am lucky to have such good friends and to be able to live the life I live. All I have to say is that it's good to be home and that I've missed the ol' MD.

Until next time, Shadow out :-D