This is where two rivers meet: McKenzie and Willamette.
Sometimes I think we ask too much of nature. We go forest bathing and swimming in it; walking and running through it; drinking, huffing, and gobbling it down, all the time. It gives all that we need. How do we give back?
I thought this while I started to meditate at the edge of the above picture. I immediately felt the good energy flowing my way. I happily accepted. Then I thought wait a minute, maybe this could be an exchange of energy? But then I wondered, what can I give the universe? I seem small in comparison. I am low impact in all of creation.
This got kind of heady so I dropped it and decided to feel gratitude. Keep it simple.
I didn’t ask for help, calmness, healing, blessings, health, soothing, grounding, connection. I just said thanks. This year I have made an effort in giving back. I joined Nature Conservancy and Audubon, and two beaver groups- one in Oregon and one in New York. And I think I’m just getting started. Give green for green, I say. Give nature money. Vote for it.
There were many birdhouses for swallows and bluebirds. It was a gallery of birdhouses! Big appreciation to local artists: Dennis Arendt and Shel Neal.
The birds were quiet when I walked past late morning, but by the afternoon, a swallow let me know not to get close. “$%@!*!”, it said as it flew at me, almost knocking my hat off.
Green Island is over a thousand acres. It is under the care of McKenzie River Trust. This is the traditional homeland of the Kalapuya tribe.
You can’t just go there whenever you feel like it. It is closed to the public most of the time. I’m glad. It’s in recovery. Today it was open from 9-3 with wonderful volunteers around to direct and answer questions.
It is easy to spend time at Green Island. The hours flew by with the warm, sweet-smelling breeze.
I found a place to swim and jumped in the cool water and almost bumped into a beaver lodge without even trying!
Check out Green Island, exchange all the good energy!