Believing in the possibility of fairies (especially nature fairies) helps soften life's sharp edges and makes smiles appear out of nowhere. Presto. Just like that - A smile!
Unlike many adults, young children have no problem accepting the reality of fairy-tale characters because they're too virtuous to doubt or think otherwise. Their colorful imaginations and ability to thrive within the realm of make-believe allows them to freely pass through the murky veils of different realities.
“The moment you doubt whether you can fly, you cease forever to be able to do it.” ~ J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan
Unlike many adults, young children have no problem accepting the reality of fairy-tale characters because they're too virtuous to doubt or think otherwise. Their colorful imaginations and ability to thrive within the realm of make-believe allows them to freely pass through the murky veils of different realities.
“The moment you doubt whether you can fly, you cease forever to be able to do it.” ~ J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan
I knew at a very early age that nature had its own enchanted truths, which were quite separate from the rigid and sometimes inconsistent truths of home and school.
"I believe in everything until it's disproved. So I believe in fairies, the myths and dragons. It all exists, even if it's in your mind." ~ John Lennon
"I believe in everything until it's disproved. So I believe in fairies, the myths and dragons. It all exists, even if it's in your mind." ~ John Lennon
For me, the outdoors always provided the perfect backdrop for my childhood adventures - both real and imagined.
Just the way an evening breeze fluttered only a few leaves on a tree, or how a gentle fragrance followed me through a forest, or even how the morning dew turned my backyard into a field of sparkling diamonds was all the proof I needed that nature fairies were lurking nearby.
"The rustle of the wind reminds us a fairy is near." ~ Unknown
Just the way an evening breeze fluttered only a few leaves on a tree, or how a gentle fragrance followed me through a forest, or even how the morning dew turned my backyard into a field of sparkling diamonds was all the proof I needed that nature fairies were lurking nearby.
"The rustle of the wind reminds us a fairy is near." ~ Unknown
As an adult, I’m thankful that nature's unexplained mysteries still make me smile and wonder what precocious, little fairy has once again caught my attention.
Before the summer of 2014 passes into just another memory, I’d like to share a few of the seen and unseen mysteries I've enjoyed at Jeffrey Woods this season - with the possibility that nature fairies just might have been responsible.
Before the summer of 2014 passes into just another memory, I’d like to share a few of the seen and unseen mysteries I've enjoyed at Jeffrey Woods this season - with the possibility that nature fairies just might have been responsible.
A Red Shiny Ball: And there it was one dewy morning - an abandoned red ball resting next to a bench on the edge of Jeffrey Woods. Who would have left such a shiny, new ball behind? I could only imagine some band of playful sprites hijacked it for their own nighttime entertainment and returned it when the morning’s sun dispersed their after-dark shenanigans.
“Tink was not all bad: or, rather, she was all bad just now, but, on the other hand, sometimes she was all good. Fairies have to be one thing or the other, because being so small they unfortunately have room for one feeling only at a time." ~ J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan
“Tink was not all bad: or, rather, she was all bad just now, but, on the other hand, sometimes she was all good. Fairies have to be one thing or the other, because being so small they unfortunately have room for one feeling only at a time." ~ J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan
Fireflies: I love summer nights and the sparkling fireflies that dance in Jeffrey Park's meadow. Sometimes, however, a certain unexplained movement or different kind of twinkling light hovering over the darkening meadow made me hopeful that a few of these nighttime orbs were really playful fairies.
“All the world is made of faith, and trust, and pixie dust.” ~ J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan
“All the world is made of faith, and trust, and pixie dust.” ~ J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan
Between The Dark & The Daylight: Whether it’s dusk or dawn, unseen magic can always be felt at Jeffrey Mansion during these in-between-times. According to folklore, these transitional moments are the best opportunities for fairy encounters and Jeffrey Woods never fails to set an eerie stage for their arrival.
"Between the dark and the daylight, when the night is beginning to lower, comes a pause in the day's occupations, that is known as the Children's Hour." ~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, The Childrens' Hour
"Between the dark and the daylight, when the night is beginning to lower, comes a pause in the day's occupations, that is known as the Children's Hour." ~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, The Childrens' Hour
Dragonfly Wing: When I found this broken wing wedged between some blades of grass, I wasn’t sure if it belonged to a beleaguered dragonfly or a careless fairy. The way it sparkled and caught my attention, however, made me suspect a fairy had crashed-landed resulting in a broken wing. (Not to worry, fairy magic is powerfully healing.)
“For to have faith, is to have wings." ~ J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan
“For to have faith, is to have wings." ~ J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan
Tree Magic: Trees enrich the Earth with shade, air, wood, oxygen and food. According to folklore, they also inspire creativity, peace and wonder. Old gnarly trees are best known for their accumulated wisdom, and if you’re open to tree magic, you can even sense a tree’s personality in the faces they sometimes reveal.
"The most wonderful and the strongest things in the world, you know, are just the things which no one can see." ~ Charles Kingsley, The Water-Babies
"The most wonderful and the strongest things in the world, you know, are just the things which no one can see." ~ Charles Kingsley, The Water-Babies
Water Fairies: Flowing water holds lots of mysterious feelings, images and enchantment - particularly in the summer. The mysteries of Alum Creek at Jeffrey Woods can be seen within the creek's ever-changing current. If you're very still, you can sometimes imagine water fairies escaping into the air as the bubbling ripples break the water's surface.
“Rivers know this: there is no hurry. We shall get there some day.”
~ A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh
“Rivers know this: there is no hurry. We shall get there some day.”
~ A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh
A Lost Balloon: A pink balloon carelessly wandered away from a child's birthday party and floated into the woods where I found it hiding under a Mayapple. Everyone knows fairies like shiny things and also dancing under Mayapples. Believing that the fairy realm protected this tiny balloon from forest dangers and other prickly things made a great story for me to retell.
“Nobody can be uncheered with a balloon.” ~ A.A.Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh
“Nobody can be uncheered with a balloon.” ~ A.A.Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh
Toadstools/Mushrooms: These umbrella-like plants have long been associated with fairies - who usually sit on or under them. Since a number of toadstools/mushrooms are poisonous, it's never a good idea to touch, but looking for woodland fairies hiding nearby is always recommended!
"I've never trusted toadstools, but I suppose some must have their good points." ~ Cheshire Cat, Alice' In Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
"I've never trusted toadstools, but I suppose some must have their good points." ~ Cheshire Cat, Alice' In Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
It's been said nature fairies become more active during the summer months. If that's true, colorful flowers, radiant sun and starry nights make this season a PERFECT TIME and Jeffrey Woods a PERFECT DESTINATION for enchanted adventures and huge smiles.
“To live will be an awfully big adventure.” ~ J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan
“To live will be an awfully big adventure.” ~ J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan
Enjoy a small remembrance of Jeffrey Woods' magic with an acorn necklace from In A Nutshell, a direct-sale, online business located in Bexley, OH. All acorns tops used in the creation of these necklaces were lovingly gathered from the floor of Jeffrey Woods during walks that inspired The Magic of Jeffrey Woods' Blogs.
For more information visit ~
Website: www.inanutshellcollective.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/InANutshellCollective
For more information visit ~
Website: www.inanutshellcollective.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/InANutshellCollective