The rolling hills where I live offer some spectacular scenery. Coming from the east into town always gives a little thrill if I'm not too self-absorbed. In my college days, I would come home once a month or every three weeks or so. Usually, I came by bus. Whenever we hit that highway on this rather small mountain above the town, I felt that exhilaration. I thought it was just the idea of coming home, and the familiar sights were welcome. Now I have returned and taken up long term residence. I live on the lower side of that mountain near the river. (I grew up on the other side of the river in the city limits.) One of the hospitals and many of my doctors are on that mountain. I bank and shop there whenever possible. So I see that road frequently. Today, I came into town from the bank and once again I was smitten with the view. It may be the weather. The sky was a beautiful shade of blue with lots of fluffy white clouds. The ridge of blue evergreens lay far off to the west miles beyond the town. The new businesses and parking lots had not lessened the beauty for me. It still is a glorious sight that makes me feel good all over. Society with all its concrete, asphalt, glass, and brick cannot erase the aura of Mother Nature. The deer might ruin my plants in the yard and leave little deposits all over, but civilization does not cover up the beauty of the earth. It comes through no matter what we try to do to it. If we just open our eyes and look about, we can experience peace in our environment. Mankind and nature can abide with each other throughout the decades. |