I knew this land had lessons to teach me the first time I walked its hills and hollers...

We had permission during our initial visit to stay and camp for the night. Early the next morning, I sat with coffee in hand listening to the woods and soaking up the morning sunshine. I gazed upon sparse spring growth but felt gardens thriving upon this mountaintop. I knew I had found the place to truly experience being me with the land. We never really left, things happened fast, and before we knew it we were setting up camp.

Early in this scenario, I went into the trees and brambles and had a heart to heart of sorts with my forest. It had been clear-cut logged 12 years before this sale, the previous owner had lived far away on the east coast, visiting just once.

This land had been forgotten, allowing it to go Wild, to heal itself in its own way from the major event of logging. I was on a similar journey to my own wild… healing myself and wholing myself. I was journeying deeper into my personal philosophy around the concept of borrowed earth. I was all discombobulated and ungrounded with many major events happening quickly and thereby opening amazing new doors.

I needed the land, and I felt the land had need of me as well. Wholes Opportunities Balance

My accidental apprenticeship had begun.

Its lessons have been beautiful.
Its lessons have been harsh.
Its lessons have been wholing.

I’ve been brought to my crawling knees as a gardener.

I have realized that the beloved woods of my childhood had manicured hands compared to the claws these Ozark forests possess.

I have accepted that I may never understand.

I am learning to respect and honor this mountaintop. I am learning to listen to its orchestra. I am committed to this journey.

This Life of an apprentice to mountaintop and woods is an adventure into the depths of wonder.

May your own journey be as rewarding.

Photos are all my original work