Shinrin yoku...This Concept Turns Me On

        I have to admit, here at the gateway to my "advanced age years", not much actually turns me on. A morning hug and kiss from my lifelong sweetheart excepted. The almost- daily walk in the woods that we've practiced for the last thirty years here in the mountains of Northern California now has an exciting label....Forest Bathing (Shinrin yoku).  It's amazing what a new definition and categorization can do for an habitual exercise.... and now, there are certified guides and organized groups for this type of bathing. I actually love this more than you can believe.
        I am not being a facetious goof here. Forest bathing, mountain bathing and lake bagging are the foundations of my peaceful state of mind and the essence of my existence.  It's why I thrive, by living in the woods, walking in the woods and bathing amongst the trees. I do not feel guilty for harvesting many of the trees that grew on my two acres...it's like weeding your garden. The survivors are healthier for the lack of competition, their boughs reach wider and they grow taller quicker than when they were crowded together. I built my house largely from the forest that stood on the same property that we have called home for the last 28 years. There are a few who bemoan the lack of a meadow or lake view from our woods but, not me. I love the forest and feel protected by their smell and their humming needles.
        Shinrin yoku is a japanese concept that was introduced to the world less than fifty years ago. I'm surprised that it took us this long to label and identify this forest blessing. Of course, forest dwellers have known of the magic of "forest bathing" all the way back to our chimpanzee beginnings. The new thing is that here in America we have learned to make money off of the activity. That's not a bad thing, many people would never discover it's effectiveness if they didn't have to use their credit card to get them in the right state of mind....shopping. Shopping for Wellness legitimizes many of our activities, hobbies and fascinations.

Life Below The Quiet Mountain

        We are about twelve miles (as the Bald Eagle flys) below an active volcano. There have been periods throughout history when volcanoes get violently active and angry as a group. The last time was during November of 2013. Seven volcanoes erupted dramatically within hours of each other around the globe. In reality, I am not a predictor of doom (Doomer). I am sure there are tough times ahead...for the Earth and the economy, and the culture of modernism. However, I do not wake up each day under a cloud of doubt or fear.
         It is good to keep in mind that we refer to the volcano above us as the Quiet Mountain because it can become explosive and loud. We can identify lava as far as sixty miles away that used to be part of what the natives referred to as Waganupa, (Mt. Tehama, over 15,000 ft. in height). Lassen Peak is one of the largest plug dome volcanoes in the world and it lives, it breathes, it steams and it waits. We are lucky to thrive and play on it's lower slopes.
        Simple hiking, biking and swimming between her magnificent folds. Over three decades of drinking from her aquifer and building a home and business out of her trees. She owes us nothing. Each day is a gift...and not a day goes by where I lose track of that fact. California in general is a land living "on the edge". We worship each sunrise and realize it can all shake and shiver and go... Poof! This enhances one's awareness moment to moment...you don't get this in Nebraska. Unless, I suppose, you live next to an ICBM missle silo.