After I saw the photo,I couldn't really bring myself to believe it was anything more than a fantastic trick of light. My everyday life was twisted by the drama of just living and trying to make a way for myself and my child to have what I then thought was essential for survival.I entered into a marriage of convenience to a man from a wealthy family that I never loved.As I said,drama.
My marriage did not interfere with my love affair with the woods...I would spend my time roaming the forest, marveling at the beauty and gathering as much first hand knowledge as I could.
On a brilliant Fall afternoon, while gathering moss and the like to take back to the house for a craft project, I stumbled upon the most amazing mushroom I had ever seen! It was fully two feet across and not completely out of the ground yet.The only part that had emerged was the top of the cap and it was golden and metallic in color.I have never forgotten it, and later on I would find that this,too,was of some importance. Although, I still don't understand the full significance of it,I am confident someday I will.
The time came when we would have to leave Bull Run Creek.My cousin wanted the house and we would have to go.My heart was broken. I cried for days.The cold November night before we left,we had a little party. All of my new found friends came and much wine and other indulgences were consumed.After everyone left, and my husband and small daughter were soundly asleep, I went out on the porch and in my sorrow at leaving begged and prayed that the spirit of that place would forever stay with me. I woke up at sunrise, covered with frost, lying on the wooden deck,very cold,but filled with peace,not resignation.
My husband and I bought a little house in Wolf Creek, a small community some 15 or so miles south of my beloved sanctuary. It was a great place to raise a family, populated by a unique blend of rednecks and counterculture with some interesting characters from both sides,but I digress.Wolf Creek is a whole story in itself.