Thankful

I am blessed to live in a truly beautiful place. Peterborough is a lovely small town nestled in the mountains of southwestern New Hampshire. Like many people, I have become so used to the beauty around me that I've come to take it for granted.

Driving home this morning after dropping my youngest son at school, I traversed the canopied streets back home realizing that in perhaps a matter of days, the beautiful fall foliage would all come down. When we get to this time of year it only takes one strong rainstorm to bring the remaining leaves down.

I decided I would be sure to make time for a walk through our beautiful neighborhood, camera in hand, and record nature's fall splendor.

I am so very thankful to be living in such a wonderful place. We came to New Hampshire in 1990 and I'm always grateful that our life journey brought us here. (Well, maybe not so grateful in the dead of winter.)

Today's walk was just what I needed. Complete solitude. Not one single car on the road. Silence interrupted only by the wind through the leaves, the chirping of crickets and occasional birdsong. My "photo assignment" kept my mind focused on my surroundings and offered a much needed respite from too many troubling thoughts.

Each step along my way brought another glorious vista or interesting object nestled in nature.

Although I saw no one else along my hike, I did catch the eye of a rather curious cow.

The larger than life landscape before me was dazzling, but the small and unassuming natural elements were equally as grand.

All along the way there was beauty, both natural and man-made.

I walked as far as I could on our dead end street then turned around and enjoyed all the beauty on my way back home.

As I walked up the hill towards home, I was feeling thankful for my spot in this beautiful town. More thankful than I have in awhile...because I took the time to notice.