Hubbie and I love to dress up for Halloween... well, at least I do and he indulges me. This year we were the wolf and red riding hood. He was more like a wolf from the Grimm TV show and well, I wasn't exactly “little red...”. We had a great time, though. :-) He's wearing an NC State shirt... “The Wolfpack”... get it?

It was mid-morning and I was still wrestling with the idea of making it to the gym. 
Should I stay (and continue working) or should I go? 
I was driving myself crazy. Finally... go... go... go! Work will be here when I get back.

On the way to the walking park, my mind felt like it was having 10,000 thoughts at once. 
Will I get it done, am I good enough, I need to lose weight, bills coming due soon...etc... etc.

Be still, I said to myself. Stop thinking and just... be... still. 
I unplugged my earbuds and looked for direction.

So peaceful, so quiet. I noticed beauty exploding around me in high definition.

As the walk progressed, I got bolder and started seeking out paths I haven't explored yet. 
Why have I not done this before, I thought? I've been here hundreds of times. 
My curiosity was rewarded when I fell upon a most unusual tree.

Satisfied that I made a great decision to commune with nature for a brief moment,
it surprised me yet one more time:

A most unusual feast for the eyes, these very small, yet threatening looking venus fly traps were a delight.

And the graceful, yet vicious pitcher plant was the cherry on top.

So what is the motto of this essay, did stepping out teach me anything? 
Yes. 
Our constraints are of our own doing, if we feel trapped, we are. If we feel free... we are.

Nature doesn't question/rationalize/overthink everything. If something is in the way... it works around it.

And it celebrates it's uniqueness, it's beauty, its gifts. 
I vow to visit more often. 

Hot off my drawing board... "Rocky" the Rottweiler pet portrait. 

An Update!! Finished Owl Portrait below:

I love drawing canines, but sometimes I want to have some fun with some other little creatures and I happen to like owls a whole bunch. Check back for another progress report later this week! :-) 

Some pics of my studio... and my studio helpers Pounce and Precious! The skeleton is on loan from a friend in the Physical Therapy biz... perfect for my anatomy studies!