To meander is anticultural. Think about being in the grocery store or on the freeway. These people grate on society. Bill yourself as a “meandering comedian” and you will be hustled off stage by a “handler.” Stop to take pictures of a flower on a state park walking trail and you will soon hear “out of my way, coming through,” as a 90 -old-skinny granny with two walking sticks glares by. “What part of walking trail do people not understand?” she loudly mutters.
Stories like this keep me off the beaten path. I meander like most of nature does. “Rabbit trails” are a bad thing in public speaking. Real rabbits can travel a mile and only go 40 yards. Deer zig zag as they forage through the woods. It seems only predators in the woods cover ground like us humans. I think I have only learned how to meander when I have a camera in hand, thus I can show you a gallery of pictures (click any one for enlarging to a slide show). Come meander with me. Maybe you would change some of the captions (seen in the slide show).
Take time to meander. Explore the depths of our culture’s thoughts beyond the sound bytes. Relationships need meandering time. This year has blown by like our hiking granny. Be mesmerized by God’s creation around us…trust meandering to allow you into the depths of life and your purpose for being here.
My wife and I are going to meander through the woods today for a few hours. Have an adventure. Talk. Build our relationship. Fun times.
Gary
garyfultz 
Great meandering, Gary. It’s a good habit to cultivate – physically, mentally, socially, spiritually….
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Thanks Malcolm. Yes, all areas of life. Ecclesiastes should have said somewhere “a time to meander.” I do have to meander intentionally as it’s not a natural default for me.
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If it was Ecclesiastes it would say ‘A time to meander and a time to travel purposefully’.😊
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Thank you for sharing the beautiful photos. 🙂 Have a blessed day!
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Thanks Melissa. It’s been a great day.
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I love to meander through Gods creation and walk with Him and talk with Him
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Oh yes, creation has many prompts for us to have a talk in our walk.
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It is the most special place for me to be with my best friend
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You take full advantage of your beautiful environment. I lived in it for about 17 years but did not stick much about the environment in terms of beauty I guess it was more a matter of survival working church all that kind of thing so it’s fun to see all that was there that we missed.
Is there any more news on Aunt Jan. I found nothing in the paper I suppose it’s a question about who takes responsibility for what happens next.
Closing thoughts. Northwoods living an missed a lot. Never saw a bear. a wolf, a moose or elk. Maybe a fox and some rabbits.
Lots of misquitoes and various flies. Lots of birds but no special memories. Hunted grouse some. Usually took off in front of me scaring me before I could shoot.
You TAKE MUCH GREATER ADVANTAGE OF YOUR LOVELY ENVIRONMENT.
jdb
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I’ll find out John. Meanwhile I am enjoying the lack of mosquitoes as well as the great fishing this time of year.
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My favorite season.
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Mine too GP. It’s the most colorful season of all.
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Thanks for getting me away from my desk and letting me meander through your world of nature, Gary. Love the apples!
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Wish you were closer G.W. I have about 20 gallons of apples to give away. Trees are all picked now.
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Ooh, I love this! Your photos are terrific. Sauntering is good as well, and now that the leaves are getting crunchy underfoot, this octogenarian enjoys shuffling through them.
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I understand sauntering and shuffling Joy….Shuffling in deep leaves is wise.
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Another wonderful set of photos from your meandering. Those apples make me want to filch a few and start on making apple pie!
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I must admit Pete…Those apples are really good in pie and crisps. If you were closer you could have a bag or 3. I have lots.
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There is nothing quite like wee meander, stopping to take in the view or a nearby deer. This is spiritual refreshment reaching the heart through the eyes, and maybe even the nostrils too. God is Good always. May He continue to guide and bless you (and your camera ) today brother 🙏
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Love it, Alan. Refreshment is such a good word. And yes, the smell of the woods…all soul food
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Ahhh. I doubt you and I would ever bump into each other in such a setting, meandering about as we would be. No rushing or missions here: just soul-breathing wonder.
Thanks for the photos.
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Probably true Kathy. I am a bit like the rabbit in the woods with the camera.
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These pictures are beautiful! My husband and I love to meander. We will start a ride through the country and find a road we have never been on….off we go to see where it goes. On our vacation trips we have found some of the most beautiful spots and great eating places by getting off the interstate and just meandering.
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I’m glad you go off road, it’s amazing all the things one can see off the beaten paths. It does take time but we’ll worth it. Sometimes you meet the greatest people that way as well.
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These are gorgeous images showing the stunning beauty of the fall season in its glory. Thanks, Gary! 🙂
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Thanks Nancy. when I blow up the pictures on computer, invariably I wish I had stayed longer and taken more pictures…
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Soul food indeed! Thank you, Gary! Blessings!
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Thanks Bruce. I suspect the Lord had more than eye candy in mind when He created all this beauty in the autumn season.
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Love the pics
I like to meander in cities in other countries just waling around to see the sights
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You have probably seen a lot in your wanderings Matt. Ever been in the deep woods with no trails? I took my wife about 1/2 mile into a woods today where there were no trails. The sun was out so I didn’t need to use a compass.
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Thank you Gary for the beautiful reminder to slow down and taken in the beauty of exploring the paths around.
You are so right, there is much to ponder in that time outdoors building relationships at all levels.
Great job with the photos as always I enjoy hownwell you capture the spontaniety of the world around you.
P.S. That is a lot of apples, well done picking them. I guess there is the rest of the work to come soon. I mean putting all that deliciousness into jars for the winter goodies.
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Thanks…I have to take my own writing to heart Suzette. Slowing down is not natural for me. My camera helps a lot. My wife also helps as she is the meandering kind of person…As for the apples, we have gallons put away and probably 20 gallons to give away.
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Many blessings to you Gary. Meanderings is such a freeing word…Thanks again!
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Wonderful post, thank you!
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I will admit to having a great time taking those pictures Michele. The dreaded work part for me is the technical stuff so they can be shared.
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It is indeed great fun! Well worth your efforts, so thank you, Gary.
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Thanks for taking me on a meander through your special corner of His creation Gary.
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Ah, you like to meander through all kinds of creation Fred. We have that wa(o)nderlust in common
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Imagine the mesmerizing wander(o)lusts we’ll share forever someday soon brother picking apples together from His orchard 😇
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Oh yes…my imagination runs wild and I’m sure falls way short.
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Gary I hear you loud and clear, and the voice of your pics. Blessings!
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Thanks Erroll. I do try to wander with a rhythm in place to natures beats. Blessings to you as well in your far away land…would love to see it some day.
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Your meandering has produced a festive feast for our eyes…Thanks Gary💕
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I do think the fall season utilizes the color spectrum really well. I like the “festive feast” description a lot.
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Amen! I’m for meandering 100%.
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I think that meandering is one thing I get better at with age…Probably because I value it more??
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Same here. If only we had realized the value of meandering in younger days. Back then, all I did was hurry, scurry, and hurry some more.
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Thank you, Gary, for meandering and sharing your beautiful pics!
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My pleasure Dana. The least I can do is share a little.
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I absolutely love this post! I meander a lot. I love capturing the beauty of God. Thank you for sharing. Crayola has nothing on the colors of God.
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Ha, you are sure right about Crayola. I suspect that meandering also helps us see and appreciate the smallest variations of color. Sometimes I wonder if God puts colors in that our human eyes and brain cannot even interpret or discern.
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Thanks Gary! I have acorns, and ‘pignuts’ amongst many other kinds of nuts falling from the trees, around my house. I so enjoy going out when the wind is blowing, and it’s looks the The Lord is Raining leaves, but it can be a bit risky, because those nuts fall hard!! 🤕🤣
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I understand. Acorns falling are not so bad here as they are small. Apples can hurt. I hear that walnuts can dent ones head though.
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I also have those falling- they can really keep you awake during a windy night…
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Very nice. I don’t like that this time of year signals icy darkness, but it sure is pretty…
🙂
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I agree AJ. I didn’t mention that the fish are really biting right now. Probably good till first ice.
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😉
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Absolutely stunning photos, Gary. But I love your opening line even more, “To meander is anticultural.“
Right – take time to meander!
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Thanks Wynn. I agree. Everyone should hone the life skill of “meandering” purposefully. There is much to gain.
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True and refreshing to hear from other meanderers!
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Ah, you understand this tribe, Teresa. Meanderers often ponder well, as you do.
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Beautiful pictures! I recently read “The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry” by John Mark Comer. Since then I’ve been trying to find ways to intentionally slow down. This was a great reminder.
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That sounds like a good book and great concept to live by Jennifer. I know that bringing my camera on walks will slow me way down. I enjoy being on a lake more in a canoe than my big boat when the winds are down. However, I cannot imagine slowing down any shopping experience in the mall.
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As beautiful as your pictures are and the words I read, I believe you have found the peace of God in all of life. God bless you and yours.
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Thanks Donna. I would agree, and I suspect you know a lot about this. The peace of God is highly under rated in a world that believes chaos is the path to peace…Only the God of this world could come up with that recipe. It’s the ultimate deception…The woods and all his creation may be a sanctuary where we seemingly find peace, but God doesn’t hide out there. I remember inviting God into my life, my inner sanctuary only He could fill. He came in and turned the light on. Now a walk in the woods with my creator, strolling through his creation is a profound thing…and I get to bring my camera, hoping to help others see what is pointed out to me.
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God certainly uses your talent for his glory.
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Thats a humbling thought…
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I’ve always loved those red maple leaves. That’s one thing I miss from my western NY days.
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I do enjoy the fall colors Alan. There must be hundreds of color variations. The maple and red oak reds are my favorite as well. We live in an area with many tamarack swamps. when they turn that soft yellow and glisten in the morning sunlight, it turns my knees weak.
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Beautiful images. Autumn must be one of God’s favorite seasons.
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I agree Anna. I think God enjoys our delight in his display of Autumn colors.
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A beautiful post! I love the meander in many situations. Sometimes going in circles as well! :>)
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Thanks Dwight. I think it’s a good characteristic of artistic personalities.
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:>) You are welcome.
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In my book, meandering is the only way to travel. I love your meandering photos. Thank you for sharing.
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ah, we have the same book!
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Meandering causes us to slow down and enjoy life at its richest. I’m so thankful for those times when I choose to meander!!
Beautiful photos as usual.❤️
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Thanks Alicia. Yes, you seem to be a fellow meanderer. We get our best thoughts in Meanderland.
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Beautiful pictures as always Gary! Nature has a way of offering an invitation to meander for those who are willing to listen. Move too quickly and you miss the glorious details of God’s creation.
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You are so right Beth….meander-speed is closer to the turtle than the hare
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Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving, Gary. Nature clearly illustrates what an awesome God we have.
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And, a happy Thanksgiving to you as well Anna. We will have a very snowy thanksgiving here in the north country.
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The world wants us to speed our way through life, to consume and then cast aside what we use. I like the way you describe meandering and something to do alongside nature.
I love how vibrant your photos are! The green, yellow, and red leaves all in the one photograph. The apple so juicy I feel like I could reach out and pick a piece from the branch! And the swamp grass seedlings captured in such intricate detail!
Becoming a father for the first time right weeks ago has really put three speed of life in perspective for me. A lot slows down and a lot has to be put on hold. There was a bit of lamenting there for me, but ultimately a joy in being forced to allow down and enjoy every moment with my wife and son as fully as I can.
Keep on meandering well, Gary!
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Thanks Hamish. I think slowing down to help others is an investment in ones-self as well as the other…probably best seen in your personal investment of time and nurture in your own little one….
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