A study of the natural world as revealed in one small piece of the forest’s edge, this book tells of a parkland located on Vancouver Island. This land is a rocky outcropping edged with a bit of Garry Oak meadow and old growth forest. Changes in this landscape are followed and recorded almost daily for one year, a year in which much beauty was observed and many lessons learned.

 

Combining science, poetry and art, this work is a meditation on the world of nature. It is the author’s hope that readers become more mindful of and more immersed in their own landscape, a landscape that is both within and without.

 

For decades Helen walked the trails of her nearby quiet woods with her special dogs. It was after reading David George Haskell’s book The Forest Unseen: A Year's Watch in Nature that she began a regular meditation practice, visiting the same piece of hidden parkland every day for one year. 

 

During this time she was introduced to Ann Mortifee who is also deeply in tune with the nature surrounding her. This friendship brought about the lovely little song on the back cover of this book. It is here sung by Helen’s dear friends, the Holland family.

 

Beauty touches many senses and many parts of our lives. We must appreciate each one – each is a gentle path to rediscovering Nature’s way.