“Less is best” is not only a great philosophy by which to live, but also an inspired way of looking at the natural world within your own environment - particularly during the summer months when Mother Nature is a tad bit friendlier.
When it comes to enjoying nature's beauty, I discovered at a young age the most memorable scenery wasn't always located in exoctic vacation destinations, but right outside my front door.
Because I grew up in the 1950s without air conditioning - the windows and doors of my childhood were always open to the mysteries and schedule of nature.
When it comes to enjoying nature's beauty, I discovered at a young age the most memorable scenery wasn't always located in exoctic vacation destinations, but right outside my front door.
Because I grew up in the 1950s without air conditioning - the windows and doors of my childhood were always open to the mysteries and schedule of nature.
Case In Point: The amazing fragrance and grandeur of my grandmother’s deep purple lilac bushes always filled her house and yard with such stunning beauty and aroma that I couldn't wait for them to bloom every spring. After long winters, I looked forward to their arrival and always knew that beautiful peonies, sparkly, nighttime lightning bugs and the taste of fresh strawberries and cream weren’t far behind.
Whether Midwest thunderstorms were beating a rhythm on our roof, baby birds were wildly chirping outside the windows or summer winds were whistling through leafy cottonwood branches, most of my childhood was connected to the comings & goings of nature within the sovereign realm of my very own neighborhood.
And all these mysteries great & small didn’t end at bedtime. After the lights were out, the nighttime kingdom of my backyard and endless sky seen through my bedroom window were always there to greet and amaze me.
Raccoons, opossums, creepy crawlies, glowing eyes and stars that twinkled and moved across the horizon filled my nights with dreamy images and wonderful stories of all things imagined.
More than once I awoke from a deep sleep with my head on the window sill and my face riddled with screen marks – definitely a small price to pay for such a magical show.
Raccoons, opossums, creepy crawlies, glowing eyes and stars that twinkled and moved across the horizon filled my nights with dreamy images and wonderful stories of all things imagined.
More than once I awoke from a deep sleep with my head on the window sill and my face riddled with screen marks – definitely a small price to pay for such a magical show.
Though the screen imprints on my checks are now decades past, I still find my face is pushed up against windows and doors in anticipation of nature’s beautiful mysteries.
And the best part of the “less is best” philosophy? Beauty can still be found in the most unexpected places right outside my door.
And the best part of the “less is best” philosophy? Beauty can still be found in the most unexpected places right outside my door.
This summer, be sure to check out the mysteries of faraway places,
the beauty of amazing landscapes and the enchantment of tiny treasures
available 24/7 - 365 days a year at Jeffrey Woods.
Please enjoy the following Jeffrey Woods' Twenty-Two, Tiny Treasures slideshow.
the beauty of amazing landscapes and the enchantment of tiny treasures
available 24/7 - 365 days a year at Jeffrey Woods.
Please enjoy the following Jeffrey Woods' Twenty-Two, Tiny Treasures slideshow.