On sunny days you will still find me out with the chickens, they are the ones I have to thank for this latest gift of nature. My kitchen window faces North. As I prepare breakfast each morning I notice the chickens sunning against the South facing fence. I decided to go out this morning and get a closer look. Even though the temperature was less than 20 degrees outside, the radiant warming rays of the sun were enough to make me uncomfortably warm in my coat.
I had a daring idea. I went inside and put on my shorts and came out to sun with the chickens. I am sitting here in the sunshine with the outside temperature freezing, and yet I am able to feel the suns healing and warming rays. I won’t have to loose my summer tan after all.
The winter blues are something that most of us are familiar with. They mirror our indoor captivity and our need to be outside. I have been a little concerned with being here in this small community in the winter because of its isolation and lack of activities in the colder months. I have now found a new winter sport. Winter sunning. Sunning surrounded by snow and chickens, I can feel the healing rays of the sun penetrating my body and soul.
I brought my laptop and my music player outside too. I put on “A Secret Beach,” by Rich Shipley, closed my eyes and I can feel myself on the beach at Pu`uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park, on the Big Island of Hawaii. It was one of my favorite places to sun when I lived there. I took many lazy naps there in the shade of the palms, just past the picnic benches going south towards Kings trail. I can almost smell the fresh breeze from the ocean, there in the distance I can hear the song of the humpback whales as I drift off into a pleasant morning nap.
When the need arises, nature provides the perfect solution.
Nature is always the best medicine. Zzzzzzzzzzz....
