Katherine Nicolai

in just my jeans and a sweater, I felt warmed through as I trod over the bare ground. Even this far off, I could smell the lake, the fresh scent of water, clear and mineral, just released from the ice, was in every breath I took. The steady plod of my feet and rising color in my cheeks made me feel like I was syncing up with the natural world around me.

in just my jeans and a sweater, I felt warmed through as I trod over the bare ground. Even this far off, I could smell the lake, the fresh scent of water, clear and mineral, just released from the ice, was in every breath I took. The steady plod of my feet and rising color in my cheeks made me feel like I was syncing up with the natural world around me.

Of course, I am nature myself and can never really be unstitched from that fabric. But after months inside, after weeks with barely a glimpse of the sun, or more than a few moments in the open air. You can feel like old friends who've gone far too long without a catch up. So I was breathing deep opening my eyes and ears to all that I could.

Of course, I am nature myself and can never really be unstitched from that fabric. But after months inside, after weeks with barely a glimpse of the sun, or more than a few moments in the open air. You can feel like old friends who've gone far too long without a catch up. So I was breathing deep opening my eyes and ears to all that I could.

Of course, I am nature myself and can never really be unstitched from that fabric. But after months inside, after weeks with barely a glimpse of the sun, or more than a few moments in the open air. You can feel like old friends who've gone far too long without a catch up. So I was breathing deep opening my eyes and ears to all that I could.

A breeze began to nudge my hat from my head, and I reached up and swiped it off. The warmth of the sunlight the cool breeze around my temples. What a gift the world was today. In the distance, the willow tree was gaining size and detail. When I'd set out, it was just an indistinct dark spot on the horizon. The lake, a broad shimmer. Now I could hear the ripple of water at the shore.

A breeze began to nudge my hat from my head, and I reached up and swiped it off. The warmth of the sunlight the cool breeze around my temples. What a gift the world was today. In the distance, the willow tree was gaining size and detail. When I'd set out, it was just an indistinct dark spot on the horizon. The lake, a broad shimmer. Now I could hear the ripple of water at the shore.

A breeze began to nudge my hat from my head, and I reached up and swiped it off. The warmth of the sunlight the cool breeze around my temples. What a gift the world was today. In the distance, the willow tree was gaining size and detail. When I'd set out, it was just an indistinct dark spot on the horizon. The lake, a broad shimmer. Now I could hear the ripple of water at the shore.

and the creaking of breaking ice further out. I turned a bit, deciding to go first to the water, then to my tree. Ah, to be alone in a place like this. The land rose. then dipped down in sandy spots at the edge of the lake. And I stood at the high point, looking down and looking out. Driftwood and scraps of tumbled grass and dead leaves dotted the sand.

and the creaking of breaking ice further out. I turned a bit, deciding to go first to the water, then to my tree. Ah, to be alone in a place like this. The land rose. then dipped down in sandy spots at the edge of the lake. And I stood at the high point, looking down and looking out. Driftwood and scraps of tumbled grass and dead leaves dotted the sand.

and the creaking of breaking ice further out. I turned a bit, deciding to go first to the water, then to my tree. Ah, to be alone in a place like this. The land rose. then dipped down in sandy spots at the edge of the lake. And I stood at the high point, looking down and looking out. Driftwood and scraps of tumbled grass and dead leaves dotted the sand.

Tiny trails ran through and around all of it. Birds and small animals had left their mark. A lone bench sat on the bluff, and I found my way to it. Stretching my legs out, crossing my ankles, tipping my head back to let the sun warm my face. Sometimes we get caught up

Tiny trails ran through and around all of it. Birds and small animals had left their mark. A lone bench sat on the bluff, and I found my way to it. Stretching my legs out, crossing my ankles, tipping my head back to let the sun warm my face. Sometimes we get caught up

Tiny trails ran through and around all of it. Birds and small animals had left their mark. A lone bench sat on the bluff, and I found my way to it. Stretching my legs out, crossing my ankles, tipping my head back to let the sun warm my face. Sometimes we get caught up

and questions about what it all means, what we are meant to be achieving, where we are meant to end up, and by what age, and with what accolades. But what if just living is the point? What if we are like the birds and the trees, without a why, just alive because we are? On the far side of the lake, a gaggle of geese paddled through the water.

and questions about what it all means, what we are meant to be achieving, where we are meant to end up, and by what age, and with what accolades. But what if just living is the point? What if we are like the birds and the trees, without a why, just alive because we are? On the far side of the lake, a gaggle of geese paddled through the water.

and questions about what it all means, what we are meant to be achieving, where we are meant to end up, and by what age, and with what accolades. But what if just living is the point? What if we are like the birds and the trees, without a why, just alive because we are? On the far side of the lake, a gaggle of geese paddled through the water.

now stayed longer and longer with the scents, sounds, and sights. I let my heart rate slow, found myself sighing and even yawning. I turned on the bench, slinging my arm over its back, and looking toward the willow tree.

now stayed longer and longer with the scents, sounds, and sights. I let my heart rate slow, found myself sighing and even yawning. I turned on the bench, slinging my arm over its back, and looking toward the willow tree.

now stayed longer and longer with the scents, sounds, and sights. I let my heart rate slow, found myself sighing and even yawning. I turned on the bench, slinging my arm over its back, and looking toward the willow tree.