The mountain life

A dream of living in the mountains haunts me, like a cold silver spoon pressed against a bare belly, I cannot escape it. When I try to fall asleep at night, the same story flutters across my eyelids: There I am, wandering through a field of wild flowers as if there is a skipping rope beneath me. I have no sleeves on my blouse, no worries, no sorrow, only the sun bouncing between the mountain and my shadow. It is a home for the rabbits and the long-legged deer. It is a home for me and all of those living things that I love.

 I collect edible mushrooms for a stew but I know it is far more than ingredients I am searching for, it is the way of living that I hunt. I trace the blades of sticky grass with my fingers. I smell the dirt. I see a symphony of bell flowers and I watch bees float around them like daytime fireflies. I pluck the brightest berries from a thorny vine and I wonder how something so delicate can grow from something so sharp. I am here, where the wild birds sing, and I cannot remember the last time I heard bad news.

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 I hurry to collect the last of the mushrooms when a cold wet kiss from the clouds hits my forehead. A dark fog is descending on the mountaintop. Soon enough there will be a stew of rain, thunder and hail so heavy that all living things will wonder if there are apples falling from the sky. I start to run. I try not to be careless but thunder has always scared me. I hold onto my basket filled with scattered pieces of life that once grew below the mountain and I find a temporary shelter beneath a leafy tree. The rain begins to pound like sobbing giants and I cannot tell the difference between my heartbeat and the thunder. I close my eyes. I think about my mother. I think about a safe warm bed. I think about stirring a hot pot of stew while hungry bellies gather around. I know somebody is waiting for me and they will be worried if I do not make it home gently. I imagine their belly growling and I wonder what will become of the stew without my mushrooms and hands to stir it.

I look at my legs and I tell them to run like hell. I dart between thistle bushes and the safety of treetops. My head forgets to think for once and I rely solely on the transportation unit that is my body. Run, breathe, gulp, run faster. I hold onto my basket like I am caring for a baby and all of its offerings are soaked in a bath of rainwater. The thunder roars on like a pack of angry lions. I am terrified but the rain hides it well. Some would say the mountain is a temperamental mistress, but I say the mountain is a mother and with each temperament comes a lesson. 

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At last, I come upon the porch light of my other home; the one where I sleep, feed mouths and keep my banjo. My hair is sopping wet, my frozen hands still cling to the basket and I have never in my life been so glad to watch a porch light flicker. The screen door swings open, there are people inside, they have been waiting for me. "Hot stew, anyone?" 

A life like the one in my dreams gains much more than soup on a spoon and berries on a stove stop, a life below the mountain gives you a soul. One day, I hope I am there in my waking life too.
  Blouse & Boots Thrifted at Value Village 
Skirt Oasap 

Photographs taken in Banff National Park
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24 comments:

  1. Anonymous14.5.14

    Simply breathtaking! Both you and your surroundings. I just came back from a trip to Zion. I'd love to make it to Banff someday.

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  2. Anonymous14.5.14

    Your story made me feel like I was there too. I always thought mountains gave me a strange feeling but I could never pinpoint what that feeling was. I think you made sense of it for me, Amy :)

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  3. So, so pretty- what an amazing place to shoot pictures! Love your outfit as well <3 Alex

    tobebeautifulingodseyes.blogspot.com

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  4. You are such a princess <3

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  5. Awesome look! Totally in tune with the setting!
    XO
    Jeanne
    http;//fashionmusingsdiary.blogspot.fr

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  6. There's so much beauty in this post- absolutely breathtaking! Someday I will see a mountain with my own eyes and feel more alive than ever before. Til then, I'll get my mountain fix with your words and photos! Thanks for sharing. :)
    <3
    Mariah
    happymurmurs.blogspot.com

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  7. What a perfect place...! Lovely photos!

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  8. Beautifully written. These photos are wonderful, what an awe-inspiring setting!

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  9. These photographs are so beautiful, some look like paintings! You look so wonderful Amy!
    dimplesdiaries
    x

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  10. These photos are very beautiful! I love your look, so stylish and original.

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  11. Beautiful scenery and outfit! :)

    http://japobsganbare.blogspot.com/

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  12. Wowey! Absolutely stunning in everyway! xxx

    www.adoramehitabel.co.uk

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  13. Meg Leslie15.5.14

    Amy

    You have a beautiful mind

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  14. Amazing pictures and lovely blog!!!! :)

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  15. Stunning words & photos. Wow.

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  16. this place is so beautiful <3 i love nature. & you look spectacular ! *__*
    http://coeursdefoxes.blogspot.com/

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  17. The style is cutie. It looks like a country cowboy outfit with mix of sound of music cast outfit. I love the look and fashion. I also love the mountains in the background. So cool.

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  18. How I wish I could live in such a place, it is so beautiful.

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  19. This is beautiful! So neat to see other bloggers from around the area. Being from Calgary, (so close to Banff!) you've inspired me to take advantage of the beautiful scenery around here more!

    Christie
    http://christieashley.tumblr.com

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  20. Living in such an environment must be great.

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  21. The scenery looks amazing and you are such a beautiful girl than the scenery.by the way,i like your shirts,too.

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  22. I like your long dress and shirts,beautiful girl and photos

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  23. So many photos of natural scenery,i really enjoy them,i love your long dress and shirt,

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  24. i love your long dress and shirt,

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