Drawing Chalk Jesus

Lately, there have been many days that I wake up and I don't have a plan. I wander around in search of magical things that  know are out there if I look close enough. I remember when I was a kid living in Alabama, I spent a ton of times searching through the woods behind my house. Sometimes, for something. Other times, for nothing. One day I decided that I was going to search for owl pellets. If you don't know what owl pellets are, they are the walnut sized pellets that owls throw up, for lack of better words. They were filled with all kinds of thing that a six year old tomboy like myself enjoyed digging for, from mouse bones to the beaks of smaller birds it had eaten. So, on a Saturday morning, I put on my boots, grabbed my plastic fish tank, and headed out into the woods in search of my prize. As I walked through the woods, I didn't even begin to know where start looking. I started up high searching for nests where owls might lay their heads at night. As I headed out further into the woods, I found what I thought might be an owls nest hanging on the edge of a tree about 30ft. high. Quite naturally, I wanted to see what was inside first so I tied my little fish tank to my belt and began the climb. The first couple branches were pretty easy for a talented climber like myself. I even caught a small green lizard on the way up. Fish tank: 1. Lizard:0. I was still interested in what was in that nest so I kept climbing. As soon as I reached for the next branch, another lizard ran by my hand and I snatched it up as quickly as I did the first. Another score for the fish tank, but I still had yet to reach the nest. It began getting a little trickier making it up the tree after about the halfway point. The branches were long and tall at this point, and I had a hard time scooting up in my shorts without scratching up my legs. I had no idea how much time had passed; only that I had 4 lizards and a Monarch butterfly in my fish tank at that point. Becoming a little worried that my new pet butterfly might get ganged up on and eaten, I climbed back down and headed home. That day, I had a plan when I set out on my adventure: gather as many owl pellets as I could. Then my goal became to reach the nest atop the tree. Next, my sole purpose was to make it home with my butterfly still intact. Though I didn't find any owl pellets, I did end up with 4 lizards and a butterfly named Barbara, and I consider that a win. Hope you guys enjoy the pictures from a more recent "day in the woods" adventure.

 

 

One minute you're in a field staring in a hole, and the next you're in a church parking lot drawing chalk Jesus. This wasn't just any chalk Jesus, though. It is the world's LARGEST chalk Jesus. Fellowship Church in Grapevine went for the gold with this community effort in honor of Resurrection Sunday, and I was thrilled to take part. It's not everyday that I can get on the ground and color in a socially acceptable way for a 27 year old college grad.

 

 

Doesn't he look just dandy?

 

 

 

This picture was taken not too far from where  I found the hole. Only in Texas will you find a Coors Light can tied to a branch with fishing rope like a redneck Christmas ornament. I made a wish just in case.

 

 

 This was taken in a spot that I normally come to find hummingbirds. They love the red tubular flowers, fyi. I didn't see any this day, but I WILL be back. Yes, that is a threat.

 

 

 Well, look what I found here! Is that you Barbara?

 

 I couldn't help but stop and take pictures of this gorgeous mustang. The owner was reading a book on the car, and YES, he knew I took this picture. I'm not a creeper you guys. He and I actually ended up standing in the parking lot for about 20 minutes having a discussion about Kafka's Metamorphosis. The only thing this beautiful ride was missing was a license plate that said PSSYWGN. I did give him the idea though.

 

On my way home, I sat for awhile on the railroad tracks near Lake Lewisville until I felt them start shaking with the hum of a distant train. Part of me wanted to act out the scene from Stand by Me where they get stuck on the tracks over the water and the heavy kid started crawling with a train on his ass, but no. Just no.