Wandering in the Fog

The fog has stories to share here in the Hill Country. Like a mysterious character from a novel, the fog enters a scene and transforms my sense of place, alters my perspective ever so slightly. In the winter and early spring, fog is a frequent visitor. When it appears, I set out to capture it with my camera or sit down with pen and paper. The rest of the day can wait.

This morning along Purgatory Road, a place whose name alone captures my imagination, the fog cast a ghostly aura over the landscape. Leafless trees, like skeletons, jumped into focus around every bend. Vultures descended on the roadside to investigate a deer carcass. A fox darted in front of the car, causing my heart to race.

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Lost in the fog, my view narrows to what is right in front of me. I can focus. My imagination takes the lead, and I know it will be a day of stories. Slow down. Listen.

What role does fog play in our stories? Our experiences with fog are varied . . . mystery, fear, confusion, comfort, or inspiration. Darkness and fog. Places we cannot see.

Over the past three years, I have found myself drawn to the fog and the subterranean - caves, hidden rivers, aquifers - to animals that roam at night. I am seeking understanding there, peeling back the layers, both internal and external. I have discovered shelter and solace in the rocky terrain that surrounds me.

In her beautiful book Late Migrations, Margaret Renkl speaks often of mist and fog. She encourages us to take time to wander in the mist, to envision fog as a space for transition.

"How comforting it would be to say, as a matter of unremarkable fact, I'm wandering in the mist just now. It will blow off in a bit."
                                                                       - Margaret Renkl

The fog entices me and invites me to wander through it.  And maybe, instead of dwelling on  things that are lost, I will let new stories unfold, even those whose endings are not yet clear.

Nature Writing Prompt: The next time you wake to a foggy morning, why not grab a pen and your journal? What stories will you find, surrounded by the quiet of the fog? How does the fog make you feel? What memories does the fog hold for you? Did you encounter anything new, something that came into focus in the fog?

Nature Books:
Late Migrations: A Natural History of Love And Loss by Margaret Renkl
Full of short essayettes about nature, this is a wonderful book to keep by your bedside. A little inspiration can lead to dreams of new adventures! The breathtaking imagery and sense of place Renkl creates will stay with you.