As I am sitting in a motel room in a small Idaho town, having researched a plan of attack for the morning (with Cheri gently asleep nearby), I am waiting for that darn clock to move me into action slightly before first light. My batteries (camera, headlamp and heart) are charged. My two pots of tea (Keemun Aromatic Snail and Keemun Mao Feng) are finished, my route planned-I guess it is time to get dressed for 31* morning walk among 10,000-50,000 water fowl.

Joy

  As you might perceive a large portion of my JOY is centered around Nature. Many posts will chronicle photo shoots (with walks or hikes), tent camping or other activities (sitting by moving water, a gurgling stream with a book maybe). Living in Idaho presents various opportunities all year round. A small quiet place in your backyard, apartment deck, neighborhood park (quietest early or late) or… might prove to be a Joyful escape from the hustle and bustle of our lives. What is your JOY? I have JOYs inside our home (a special chair near the stereo with hundreds of record albums-I refuse to call them “vinyls”, old guy stuff-or the office where i love to write and study), but outdoors is my special place. Epic adventures are wonderful, but weekly (daily) excursions (even to the sofa with knitting needles, a pot of tea and a cat) could be all a person needs to be JOYFUL! Another post will approach the subject of Happiness verses Joyfulness-is there a difference?.

  Okay, I’ll say it-“WOW”! I just returned from a photo shoot where there were dozens (30+) of bald eagles “working” a farm field for a gourmet breakfast! I always anticipate downloading the camera card, hoping for something worthy of sharing (Instagram and Facebook). What a Joyful morning!

Our Camping and Joy

  We go tent camping 3-4 times each year. Having had many years of RVing, a western Washington thing, it is heart filling to be outside all day and night. As you might guess, my JOY is a full outdoors experience-complete cooking facilities, china tea service and a comfortable queen sized cot. Not having a full time job (an old guy benefit), it is normal to go out either Sunday or Monday and stay 4-5 days. I prefer small campgrounds in National Forests (we have a few within a 2-3 hour drive, some even closer), as these have nice pit toilets, established fire rings and solid large tables. We bring a fully packed mini-van (yes, I a mini-van guy after40+ years of F250s) with a small trailer behind.

  My best Joyfulness is called “No motor days” as I REALLY love people powered activities-my canoe is about 25 years old, my bike about the same, my hiking boots are over 35 years old, cross country skis are over 20 and my walking shoes are just youngsters. This closeness to the dirt and water is not for everyone, of course.

Photography-Then and Now

  Back in the ’70s, I learned to use a camera to capture adventures and family life-won a couple of awards at county fairs, even. At some point, I realized that I was looking at the world around me with “photographic eye” and actually missing the “big picture” that was all around. The cameras lived in closets thereafter. In mid 2021, the concept came to me to investigate this whole digital “thing”, so I purchased a used Canon and immediately hooked or obsessed with the caveat to not ignore that “big picture”. I am, by no means, a gear head-but with much research and great luck have assembled a nice “kit” for less $ than many spend on just a camera. A big “thank you” shout out to eBay, KEH and Amazon! To this point in my life, I have had almost no use for Youtube-I now have gazillions of hours on photo stuff and lately web-site and blogging learning. I would, maybe, not describe this as Joyous-but MAYBE.

Outdoors?

  This is my take on being out and about, what’s yours? Might spark something?

  Many people ENJOY so many other opportunities:

• Bird Watching

• Bigger boating-power or sail

• Rock climbing

• River runnning-pick your adrenaline level here

• Hunting and fishing-with guns, rods or maybe camera

• Walking

• Skiing or snowshoeing

• Not my style, but many motorized “toys”

• Travel

• and so many others

  Whatever appeals to you (if you are, in fact, looking for a endeavor in the great outdoors) get out here! Now!

  Oops, sounds “preachy” again- SORRY!

Thanks for reading (ideas?)

Terry