I woke up today to the sound of birds chirping and leaves rustling. I love the solitude of my simple cabin that I built with my own two hands. I made myself a breakfast of sausages and fried potatoes. The meat was from a pig that I had hunted and the potatoes from my garden. How satisfying it is to live off the land! 

After breakfast I took my daily walk to the pond. The pond is a magical place where I could spend hours on end, becoming one with the nature surrounding me. As I gazed at the still water this morning, I saw a rainbow trout.  The rainbow trout is an extraordinary looking fish that lives up to its name. The longer you stare at one, you can see the different colors of the rainbow and the light reflecting off of one is mesmerizing. I truly find them fascinating and I usually go and swim with them if I can, to be one with nature in a way that I know how. 

While swimming I often see the amazing wildlife of the forest coming to the water’s edge to drink. I usually see deer, and  occasionally I catch a glimpse of bears. Sometimes the bears are running after the deer. Thank God they are not after me! 

I spent several hours at the pond today, listening to the sounds around me, watching the animals. I was struck by the beauty of it all, and felt compelled to put pen to paper and draw some of what I was seeing, like the rainbow trout. All of the sudden I was starving and realized I needed to go hunting to replenish my stock of food. My hunt was successful as I was able to shoot a pig rather quickly. I was proud to have provided for myself in this way.

The hunt marked the end of the day and I returned to the cabin, tired but pleased with myself. What a day to remind myself of the simple beauty of Nature and the incredible circle of life! One doesn’t require much in life, just a place to sleep and a way to live off the land.