Here is Life

"Here is life, an experiment to a great extent untried by me; but it does not avail me that they have tried it."

- Thoreau

On Sunday, inspired by Thoreau, I went to Pilot Knob for a walk on the trails. No snowshoes, boots or skis in my possession, I was left hiking through knee deep snow in my old Nike Pegasus running shoes.

I walked up the steep hill that I went sledding on as a kid. I followed some paths that I run through in the summer. I went off the beaten path and just explored.

Not for long but for over an hour.

At some point, I just plopped myself down in the snow and sat there. Still.

The sun was shining and the trees blocked the wind. My face was warm with the glow of the sun and my legs were tired from constantly pulling themselves out of the deep snow.

A couple of hawks flew by overhead, a pheasant scattered across the snowy landscape. I was on a white beach -- laying on a blanket of tranquility.

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The night before I had made dinner for Mark and Joy Newcom. They were eager guinea pigs for some of my new food experiments. All recipes were by Giada (the hottest cook on the Food Network).

The dinner turned out great, the wine was really good (even the carpet got to enjoy some thanks to Joy), and the conversation was one of the best of my life.

Thanks to Joy for documenting some of the conversation on her blog -- which is a must read for all of you out there in the blogosphere.

I won't get too specific about the conversation but it was largely about a calling to experience life for oneself.

The beliefs of our parents is worth questioning. Our lifestyle and way of living is worth questioning. Even as I've remained in Forest City, Iowa, my philosophies, religion -- everything really -- is worth questioning.

We get a chance to be who we want to be. To define a way of life for our self.

My parents have never eaten cantaloupe wrapped with prosciutto but it turns out that it is fantastic.

Their experiences in life have been amazing and they have exposed me to much that I am grateful for.

But there is more to be seen.

I have to try cantaloupe with prosciutto for myself. I need to travel to Peru for myself. I must challenge my beliefs -- are they really mine or are they merely a product of my upbringing?

I need to sit in the snow only miles away from my childhood home -- but with thoughts and beliefs that put me further from home than ever.

After all, here is life.

My life.

Enjoy the ride,
Damm