Daily Prompt: Turn, Turn, Turn (to Life)
In Los Angeles seasons basically vary from warm to warmer to slightly less warm to warm again. Which is to say, they are subtle. It can actually be challenging to notice the passage of time because days often look and feel the same for weeks or months at a time. One day its January something, the next it's mid-April. Weather is an anomaly. A cloudy day is something different. A rainy day is altogether exciting and the buzz at work. The lack of weather is one less thing to worry about in the daily grind of life. But it's also one less thing to remind us of the awesomeness of Nature.
There are seasons, however, and my favorite out here is Spring because this is when you see the most change in the seemingly changeless environment. My favorite place to witness Spring is in the desert, where the renewal of life is bolder than in the city.
This past weekend I went with some friends to Joshua Tree, not to the National Park but to the city itself. I've written about coming to Joshua tree with my late husband, but (other than one camping trip) we always stayed in motels. This was the first time I've been behind the tourist line, where the locals live and raise their children.
Joshua Tree, CA
At first glance, the landscape reminds you of pictures you've seen of Mars. Miles upon miles of dirt, rocks and (unlike Mars) small desert shrubs. But once you go a little further, get out of the car and start walking, you discover an entire world teeming with LIFE.
desert buds
desert fruit
Desert fruit, budding flowers, rabbits, lizards, beetles, ants, snakes, pheasants... there is actually constant movement in the stillness, plentiful sounds in the quiet.
I have always loved the desert for its purity, its cleansing, spiritual quality, its mystery. There is a reason so many prophets went to the desert to think and not, for example, the beach. The desert is as close as one can get to no distractions. Time seems to slow down. 24 hours feels like longer. And your mind is free to breath.
If ever one needs inspiration that even from something barren, life can grow... that life is cyclical and ever-renewing... that there is an almighty power in this universe called Nature... it is here, in the desert at springtime.
desert sunrise