river talk

Me, myself and eye

By SANDY LONG

Posted 12/2/25

Lately, I have been thinking about my relationship with the natural world. As I cast my eyes on the things that present themselves during my hours outdoors, there is a growing sense that what I see …

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river talk

Me, myself and eye

RR photos by Sandy Long

This adjoined pair of acorn caps caught my eye, bringing to mind the idea that sometimes in life the cup is full, and sometimes it is empty. Such it is, as it is. We are left to wrestle with the mental pebble of the possibilities.

This panoramic photo of Lackawaxen, PA was taken just past the confluence of the Delaware River (at far right) and the Lackawaxen River (to the right of the cluster of homes at the center of the image). At left is the Roebling’s Delaware Aqueduct, locally known as the Roebling Bridge. I had been walking on the Roebling Towpath Trail that runs along the New York side of the Delaware in Minisink Ford, and stopped to contemplate the view. It led me to consider the significance of how two rivers merging and flowing onward as one, gaining strength and force in coming together, can serve as a model for how humans expand potential by joining with others.

Meeting this massive American basswood growing along the Roebling Towpath Trail gave me a sense of my smallness, but also reminded me of my ability to simply keep walking and end up elsewhere, a freedom the tree will never know. Seeing my shadow cast upon the tree’s impressive form brought thoughts of impermanence in the play of light and matter.

Although peaceful, there is much to take in from a treestand.

Posted Tuesday, December 2, 2025 3:21 pm

By SANDY LONG

Before anyone becomes alarmed that I’m losing my way, consider the possibility that, in fact, I’m actually finding it. Maybe it’s even finding me. Perhaps the outsight I practice while observing the outdoors provides an insight to self I hadn’t thought of before.

Have you given any thought to such things? Do you find yourself or lose yourself (or both) when interfacing with nature? Are you able to riff as you ramble, to be silly and light? Are you somber with seriousness? Are you totally tuned out?

How do you feel about nature? Do you fear it? Do you befriend it? Do you find yourself within it? Do you see it from the outside or feel it on the inside?

Take some time to think about your relationship with the natural world. As you turn your eyes and train your senses on what’s there to be observed, you just might find yourself reflected back.