The other day I was out and about with the two Frenchies, taking advantage of some unseasonable weather. It’s the middle of October and we’re at 72 degrees with the sun beating down on you. Nothing better than some sun on old arthritic bones like mine.
Some leaves are turning while others are just as confused as the rest of us living creatures. Where’s the chilly winds and frost? Global warming must be the cause. I’m a firm believer that we have polluted the planet beyond its ability to correct the carbon emissions from 8 billion cars in constant motion.
Today we head out on our typical walk, where I simply follow along and let the two of them lead the way and set the direction we take. Out the townhouse complex and its decision time. Left for a block and a half walk until we’re forced to retrace our steps due to traffic. Or right, which takes us to the old Baptist church and the potential for walking through untold blocks of quiet residential streets.
So Blueman went left, Lucifer went right, and I’m stuck like a wishbone waiting to be split in two at Thanksgiving. Blueman won out due to his brute strength versus his kid sister, and off we went with him in the lead. I think he does this knowing full well going this direction results in too short of a journey to burn off some energy and we’ll go the other direction as well. Smart little bugger.
But as soon as we make the turn onto the sidewalk something catches my eye…
There’s a little niche at the base of a large silver maple, a small hole actually in between the roots. It’s pretty obvious that the tree itself must be hollow inside, as the little entry way is usually full of saw dust. The tree must be pretty old, just judging from its size, and must be suffering from dry rot. Certainly helped along by whatever critters have decided to hollow out the center of the tree. A great place to hide from predators or perhaps build a nest up inside to help survive the harsh winters.
Something is out of place this morning, someone must have thrown some trash out, but upon closer inspection I can see it’s actually this:
Cool. A little rock has been intricately painted in bright colors with small designs and curlicues encircling one simple word. “Peace”. Simple, but so enlightening, and so unexpected.
Whoever created this piece of art took a lot of time to paint it. Then to take their work and simply place it outside for some complete stranger like myself to find. A generous act, giving away your hard work by simply setting stone in some little niche where an observant passerby will find it.
The stones are never signed, even with the creator’s initials. I am happy to still see them on occasion tucked away in a little nook somewhere, to be scooped up and put on a desk or shelf or garden.
As you might have guessed, this isn’t the first time I have found one of these little stones with a message. I might see a small stone brightly painted 4 or 5 times a year, which tells me the artist is still alive and kicking. Before this one I’ve found others that say “Keep Calm” , “Smile” and “Breathe”. Usually tucked away somewhere that you have to be paying attention to your surroundings to find it.
I often wonder who the artist is, how old they are, and how they decided to create a small but powerful masterpiece only to give it away to the world. Is this a trend elsewhere? Do other folks find these in other parts of the city? Is this some new fad I failed to see and people all around the world are leaving colorful stones everywhere?
Do I pick up the stone and put it in my pocket, a wonderful little gift, or do I leave it so another dog walker or strolling oldster will find it? I could always move it to another location, still spreading the message the artist intended. Maybe even make the artist smile if they see it has been moved to a more clever spot.
I leave it lay, knowing at least one other person will see it and get a sense of the magic it brings. These little creations must be seen by someone, as tomorrow it will be gone. Unless of course the artist picks it back up only to place it again another day. I will admit that I’m always tempted to take it home to my own garden. But don’t.
If by chance the artist should ever read this, I’d like them to know their effort has wondrous results, just seeing the word of the day encircled by bright cheerful colors. Brings a smile knowing there is someone out there that cares about their fellow travelers on this road called Life.
A simple act of kindness. Good on you, whoever you may be.
And peace to you and yours.