One of the first Tintin adventures I read was The Castafiore Emerald, and it is completely set in Marlinspike with no excursions or international journeys. Reading that, I understood at quite a young age that an adventure doesn't need to be grand, all you need is a mind full of wonder and a heart that's capable of delight!
All the best for your next microadventure and keep one of those pebbles in your pocket to take home as a memento.
Sometimes, I think we get so focused on grand adventures that we aren’t as mindful to the everyday joys of rediscovering the daisies in the garden or pebbles by the seashore or whales diving from the top of the atmosphere. It’s a beautifully simple approach to building in mindfulness in our days. And I rather think your writing has always been sharing that joy in the microadventure ⛰️
I didn’t even know it, but I was having a micro adventure in Nova Scotia early this morning, making my very small plans to sit in this very dewy chair (as soon as it dries.) https://share.icloud.com/photos/0bcYq2v3a-oRLBCf3I5Moi5UA
Such a pleasure, Helen - it was such a beautiful post with which I could really identify. 😊 And what a lovely plan to have regular microadventures - here's to a great autumn!
I love the micro-adventure concept - we call them "'splores" (for "explores", a word I learned from my Jim, origin unknown unless it's his) and I also love the sky whale and I printed out your Camp Awegust steps for observing what's "ten steps towards the sun" to do today. The sense of adventure is just a heartbeat away, the smallest thing/idea/destination close to home makes my insides at the ready to feel the wonder of what might be and what I might learn . . . Great post, RH! P.S. As always, love your art!
I delight in these kinds of words. My little boy used to eat soup with a "spoom" and I, as a child, never wanted to eat my "venchtables." And I always watch for the ( chortlesome) words Rebecca makes up.
Expositions is fantastic, too! Winnie the Pooh is still the very best. I can't wait to post the results of Camp AweGust, Rebecca-style. 😄 (In)directly speaking of AA Milne, have you seen the movie about him? I just loved it. Here's the link: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1653665/
I’ve heard of the film but haven’t watched it - I haven’t wanted to in case it makes me sad….! I think my parents have seen it - perhaps I’ll check with them to ask if it’s suitable (they’ll know exactly what I mean!).
I grew up - and still live, in fact - very close to Ashdown Forest, which is the location on which Milne’s Hundred Acre Wood is based. I’ve played Pooh Sticks many times ON Pooh Sticks Bridge!
Oh dear! Now I have this daft idea about sleeping outside in my tiny enclosed back garden. I have never done such a thing. I am beyond sleeping on the ground anymore, but maybe I could borrow a folding aluminum garden chaise from a neighbor and make a comfy little bed under the stars and the jasmine. ( How many 'possums, raccoons, cats, skunks and coyotes would I encounter??) A micro adventure, indeed, now that I am no longer able to travel. Thank you for this lovely, inspiring post, Rebecca! I loved every word.
A lot of four-footed critters around here -- and I live in town! My brother lives one mile out of town and has ALL these visitors plus wild turkeys, rabbits, deer, the occasional bobcat. Sometimes it is like living in a zoo on the mountainous California coast!
Gosh, I would have said ‘wow, do it: great idea!’…. but when I read your list about who you might be sharing your space with, well, I’m not so sure…..!
Wonderful post!!!! It reminds me of what one of my art professors said: being an artist is a way of looking at the world, an ability to change your own perspectives and adjust your own attitude as necessary. An artist is someone who can be fascinated by anything - including their own socks.
I’m with you. I prefer a micro adventure into my backyard. Just a few days ago we saw a fox. While I’m sure it’s fun to explore every street in your town there’s something to say for the person who enjoys and appreciates what others may consider to be mundane.
I haven’t spotted a fox around here for ages - perhaps I’ll try microadventuring in the garden at dusk. It would be lovely to see a hedgehog again, actually - I haven’t seen any for yonks. 😊
The whale was amazing - it was around this time last year and I was driving home when I spotted it, but there was nowhere to stop until I got back into the village. I drove straight to the recreation ground car park and ran across the grass to get it in shot, hoping it still looked like a whale! 🤣 Luckily it wasn’t a windy day.
That kiss in the sky on Friday was much easier to capture. 😁
I want to believe I still have adventures in me, on the micro-scale at least, and appreciate you (and Humphreys) giving me permission to use that term for all the ways I go exploring, even if only in my backyard. That said, there's not a chance in 🔥👺🔥 I'm sleeping there anytime soon. The mosquitoes would most certainly drain all the lifeblood out of me! But, a cloud safari sounds like joy in the making.
Noting the shrinking of your walking range, I hope all is well, Rebecca, and thank you for always being a cheerleader for how to make the most of what is right in front of us.
You and I both have plenty of adventures in us, Elizabeth, and hurrah for exploring our own respective backyards! (I wouldn’t want to share my outside ‘bedroom’ with bitey creatures either, though!)
And thank you so much for your kind words! Just lacking in a bit of energy at the moment, that’s all. 😘
This is quite inspirational, Rebecca, and in a way, validating as I realise that every day I do something, it's a mini-adventure. And isn't that just the way we should view life? It gives an added dimension to the idea of using a day well.
On the bigger scale though, have you read Raynor Winn's The Salt Path? If ever there was an adventure outside one's door, that was it. I look forward to reading her other books as well.
Thank you for this post, I've noted a few words down and followed links - my favourite sort of reading.
Thank you, Prue - and I’m so pleased that you’ve used the word ‘validating’ - that’s great! I love reading your posts about all the things you’re doing - and ‘using a day well’ is something I’ve just written in my journal, for which thank you so very much!
I haven’t yet read ‘The Salt Path’, but it’s been on my list of things I’d like to read for a while. Spurred on by your mention of it I’ve just downloaded the audiobook from the library (the text version, which I’d prefer, isn’t available). I’ll report back!
What a lovely way to add joy and newness to your day! It made me think of the joys of walking with a toddler, where almost no ground is covered but every inch is surveyed and marveled over. This evening I was watching the little buck outside of the house; meditatively chomping on the bushes and regarding my wisteria with evil intent. He’s quite small, only two points on his little velvet antlers, but so pretty.
I love your description of walking with a toddler - in fact, I’m sometimes rather like that when I’m out and about, and pause or slow right down to look at things in great detail at the expense of making any progress at all. Jim says he can always tell when my blood sugar’s dropping, because ‘you’ve almost stopped, and you’re finding everything SO fascinating’!!! 🤣
One of the first Tintin adventures I read was The Castafiore Emerald, and it is completely set in Marlinspike with no excursions or international journeys. Reading that, I understood at quite a young age that an adventure doesn't need to be grand, all you need is a mind full of wonder and a heart that's capable of delight!
All the best for your next microadventure and keep one of those pebbles in your pocket to take home as a memento.
Thanks for this lovely post Rebecca.
How many of us began our own adventuring life with TinTin in hand? The boy reporter and Snowy conquer the world, and we can too!
🙌
Oh, what a lovely story of your early insight into adventuring, Punit - thank you so much for sharing!
Noting the book for my “to be read” list!
Sometimes, I think we get so focused on grand adventures that we aren’t as mindful to the everyday joys of rediscovering the daisies in the garden or pebbles by the seashore or whales diving from the top of the atmosphere. It’s a beautifully simple approach to building in mindfulness in our days. And I rather think your writing has always been sharing that joy in the microadventure ⛰️
Oh, how lovely, Bryn - thank you!
I didn’t even know it, but I was having a micro adventure in Nova Scotia early this morning, making my very small plans to sit in this very dewy chair (as soon as it dries.) https://share.icloud.com/photos/0bcYq2v3a-oRLBCf3I5Moi5UA
What a view, Peter. Thanks for sharing that and your lovely drawing!
Oh wow, Peter - I'm so glad you've shared this! Hope you're having a fabulous trip. 😁
Thank you for the mention of my beech-tree-lined walk. With more free time in September I’m planning to have at least one micro-adventure each week.
Such a pleasure, Helen - it was such a beautiful post with which I could really identify. 😊 And what a lovely plan to have regular microadventures - here's to a great autumn!
I love the micro-adventure concept - we call them "'splores" (for "explores", a word I learned from my Jim, origin unknown unless it's his) and I also love the sky whale and I printed out your Camp Awegust steps for observing what's "ten steps towards the sun" to do today. The sense of adventure is just a heartbeat away, the smallest thing/idea/destination close to home makes my insides at the ready to feel the wonder of what might be and what I might learn . . . Great post, RH! P.S. As always, love your art!
'Splores! Mary, that's GORGEOUS! In our family they've always been 'expositions', because that's what Winnie-the-Pooh called them! 🤣
I'm so pleased that you're going to use my Camp AweGust steps - how lovely! Happy adventuring!
"Expositions!" Yes. I had forgotten that. I DO remember the nasturshalums and geranimums in the garden, however..
Awwwww, so cute! Mum says she always used to say ‘indigreediments’ in her very early days of following baking recipes! 🤣
I delight in these kinds of words. My little boy used to eat soup with a "spoom" and I, as a child, never wanted to eat my "venchtables." And I always watch for the ( chortlesome) words Rebecca makes up.
Those are BRILLIANT, Sharron!
Expositions is fantastic, too! Winnie the Pooh is still the very best. I can't wait to post the results of Camp AweGust, Rebecca-style. 😄 (In)directly speaking of AA Milne, have you seen the movie about him? I just loved it. Here's the link: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1653665/
I’ve heard of the film but haven’t watched it - I haven’t wanted to in case it makes me sad….! I think my parents have seen it - perhaps I’ll check with them to ask if it’s suitable (they’ll know exactly what I mean!).
I grew up - and still live, in fact - very close to Ashdown Forest, which is the location on which Milne’s Hundred Acre Wood is based. I’ve played Pooh Sticks many times ON Pooh Sticks Bridge!
https://www.poohtrek.com/index.html
Very interesting.
Thanks, Terry! 😊
And beautifully expressed
Awww, thank you! That means a lot. 😊
Simple things, the smell of the sea, the call of the Skylark, the breeze through my hair, the clouds passing overhead while the sun is slowly setting.
Can I come too?
Of course you can - you know I'd love you to! 😘
Oh dear! Now I have this daft idea about sleeping outside in my tiny enclosed back garden. I have never done such a thing. I am beyond sleeping on the ground anymore, but maybe I could borrow a folding aluminum garden chaise from a neighbor and make a comfy little bed under the stars and the jasmine. ( How many 'possums, raccoons, cats, skunks and coyotes would I encounter??) A micro adventure, indeed, now that I am no longer able to travel. Thank you for this lovely, inspiring post, Rebecca! I loved every word.
PS That SKYWHALE is amazing! And is a perfect inspiration for a 50-word poem. Just saying.
What a lovely idea, Sharron! Would you like to use the picture in one of your posts? You’d be ever so welcome! 🐋
A lot of four-footed critters around here -- and I live in town! My brother lives one mile out of town and has ALL these visitors plus wild turkeys, rabbits, deer, the occasional bobcat. Sometimes it is like living in a zoo on the mountainous California coast!
Wowzers! No, thank you.
I think what would bother me the most about sleeping in my own back yard would be our neighbours’ dogs, which bark on and off all night. Grrrrr.
Gosh, I would have said ‘wow, do it: great idea!’…. but when I read your list about who you might be sharing your space with, well, I’m not so sure…..!
Oh, thank you, Rebecca! I think I would. I will give it a try!
Wonderful post!!!! It reminds me of what one of my art professors said: being an artist is a way of looking at the world, an ability to change your own perspectives and adjust your own attitude as necessary. An artist is someone who can be fascinated by anything - including their own socks.
Oh, that’s such a lovely way of expressing it, Sue! Thank you so much!
You know I’m off to draw my socks now, don’t you?! 😉
Lol!!!! 🤣🤣🤣 We'll draw our socks together then!!!! 🧦🧦🧦💚💚💚
Microadeventures! I love that! I used to be so good at setting out on those myself - I think a few might be in order in these dying days of summer.
Sounds like a plan! Go for it!
I’m with you. I prefer a micro adventure into my backyard. Just a few days ago we saw a fox. While I’m sure it’s fun to explore every street in your town there’s something to say for the person who enjoys and appreciates what others may consider to be mundane.
Great minds think alike, Carissa!
I haven’t spotted a fox around here for ages - perhaps I’ll try microadventuring in the garden at dusk. It would be lovely to see a hedgehog again, actually - I haven’t seen any for yonks. 😊
Yonks? Do I need a Lurban dictionary? London+Urban?
Lurban! LOL! Yonks = donkeys’ years. 😉
Sorry - couldn’t resist! Ages, or ‘a very long time’.
Rebecca, I am totally enchanted with this idea! Oh, and the photo of the whale on your cloud safari was incredible!! Love this.
Oh, thanks, Mary!
The whale was amazing - it was around this time last year and I was driving home when I spotted it, but there was nowhere to stop until I got back into the village. I drove straight to the recreation ground car park and ran across the grass to get it in shot, hoping it still looked like a whale! 🤣 Luckily it wasn’t a windy day.
That kiss in the sky on Friday was much easier to capture. 😁
I want to believe I still have adventures in me, on the micro-scale at least, and appreciate you (and Humphreys) giving me permission to use that term for all the ways I go exploring, even if only in my backyard. That said, there's not a chance in 🔥👺🔥 I'm sleeping there anytime soon. The mosquitoes would most certainly drain all the lifeblood out of me! But, a cloud safari sounds like joy in the making.
Noting the shrinking of your walking range, I hope all is well, Rebecca, and thank you for always being a cheerleader for how to make the most of what is right in front of us.
You and I both have plenty of adventures in us, Elizabeth, and hurrah for exploring our own respective backyards! (I wouldn’t want to share my outside ‘bedroom’ with bitey creatures either, though!)
And thank you so much for your kind words! Just lacking in a bit of energy at the moment, that’s all. 😘
Peter Pan | J.M. Barrie: "To live will be an awfully big adventure!"
(NB: He also said this with "To die..." at the beginning)
Oh, that’s lovely, Elizabeth!
This is quite inspirational, Rebecca, and in a way, validating as I realise that every day I do something, it's a mini-adventure. And isn't that just the way we should view life? It gives an added dimension to the idea of using a day well.
On the bigger scale though, have you read Raynor Winn's The Salt Path? If ever there was an adventure outside one's door, that was it. I look forward to reading her other books as well.
Thank you for this post, I've noted a few words down and followed links - my favourite sort of reading.
PS: I'm in awe of the clouds!
Thank you, Prue - and I’m so pleased that you’ve used the word ‘validating’ - that’s great! I love reading your posts about all the things you’re doing - and ‘using a day well’ is something I’ve just written in my journal, for which thank you so very much!
I haven’t yet read ‘The Salt Path’, but it’s been on my list of things I’d like to read for a while. Spurred on by your mention of it I’ve just downloaded the audiobook from the library (the text version, which I’d prefer, isn’t available). I’ll report back!
What a lovely way to add joy and newness to your day! It made me think of the joys of walking with a toddler, where almost no ground is covered but every inch is surveyed and marveled over. This evening I was watching the little buck outside of the house; meditatively chomping on the bushes and regarding my wisteria with evil intent. He’s quite small, only two points on his little velvet antlers, but so pretty.
Oh, the buck sounds gorgeous, Kerry!
I love your description of walking with a toddler - in fact, I’m sometimes rather like that when I’m out and about, and pause or slow right down to look at things in great detail at the expense of making any progress at all. Jim says he can always tell when my blood sugar’s dropping, because ‘you’ve almost stopped, and you’re finding everything SO fascinating’!!! 🤣