Rat-a-tat-tat

Posted on April 7, 2020 by Laurie Buchanan

And though Idaho is part of the shelter-in-place mandate during the COVID-19 pandemic, our Governor, Brad Little, encouraged its residents to go outside and get exercise—takes walks, ride our bicycles—just not in groups.

We live a stone’s throws from the Boise River Greenbelt. On one of my daily walks, I heard the distinctive sound of a woodpecker. And though I didn’t see it, this looks like where it might have been:

When I was a kid, Saturday mornings were cartoon-laden with the likes of Beanie and Cecil, Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and Woody Woodpecker.

Rat-a-tat-tat! Rat-a-tat-tat! Spring is the harbinger of new things. Zoom has become my new way of facilitating and receiving what had previously been in-person sessions.

What opportunity is knocking at your door?

Lazy Dazy

Posted on June 26, 2018 by Laurie Buchanan

With the publication of The Business of Being: Soul Purpose In and Out of the Workplace just two weeks away, I’ve used the month of June to enjoy a much slower version of life before I hit the ground running:

July 11, San Diego, The Book Catapult
July 27, Boise, Rediscovered Books
Aug 12, Crystal Lake, IL, Veteran Acres Park

When I was in Joshua Tree, CA I saw this “hammock roundup” that five people can enjoy simultaneously.

On Eleuthera Island, the neighbors across the way enjoy a solo version of quietude.

And while we don’t have a hammock where we live, there’s a multitude of gentle choices. My three favorites are reading (dive headfirst into a book and don’t surface for a good, long while), restorative yoga, and walking the Boise River Greenbelt. We’re also just a stone’s throw from an arboretum, nature center, and park.

What do you do to recharge your personal battery?

A View With a Room

Posted on June 19, 2018 by Laurie Buchanan

Perhaps you’ve heard of or seen the movie, “A Room With A View,” but what Willa and I passed on our walk along the Greenbelt was definitely a view with a room.

We were meandering along, enjoying all of nature’s sounds (me) and scents (Willa) when all of a sudden the beautiful circular window surrounded by pink blossoms caught my attention.

“Look at me, just look at me, will you?!” it cries. We slowed down to take a look. Not just a cursory glance, but a real look.

Our view—from the outside, in—is lovely! From the inside, theirs has to be spectacular as they overlook the Boise River. To my way of thinking, it would make an excellent writer’s loft.

What comes to mind as you look at the circular window winking out from behind the fragrant pink blossoms?

Keys – Lost and Found

Posted on March 8, 2016 by Laurie Buchanan

Walking along the Boise River Greenbelt is always an adventure because we never know what we’re going to see. During our latest walk, Len found keys hanging from a protrusion on a power pole.

Clearly, someone lost their keys, another person found them and thoughtfully placed them where they’d hopefully be spotted by their rightful owner when they retraced their steps.

And while most of us have sets of keys, they aren’t always tangible, solid objects. For instance:

I’ve found that the key to writing is concision.
Len found that the key to flying is to start the landing approach early.
Some have found that the key to parenting is _______.
Others have found the key to relationships is _______.

It’s your turn:

I’ve found that the key to _________ is __________.

Bald is Beautiful

Posted on January 26, 2016 by Laurie Buchanan

Living close to the Greenbelt along the Boise river we have tremendous opportunity to see a wide variety of wildlife. When we relocated to Idaho, one of the first tips we received was, “Look up!” Why? In Idaho, a large concentrations of bald eagles are found along Lake Coeur d’Alene, Lake Pend Oreille, and sections of the Snake, Salmon, and Boise Rivers.

We were thrilled to see not one, but two bald eagles on a recent jaunt along the Boise river. We heard them before we saw them. One—already majestically perched on a branch in the treetop—was calling to the other circling high overhead. Like greased lightning, he made a downward beeline, flaring his six-foot wingspan just before landing in the same tree as his mate.

I recently learned that in their first four years of life bald eagles are often mistaken for golden eagles because they sport mostly dark brown plumage with only small amounts of white. Not until their fourth or fifth year does the bald eagle’s head and tail turn all white, indicating that it’s reached maturity.

When you “look up” in your neck of the woods, what are you likely to see?

In Celebration Of

Posted on March 10, 2015 by Laurie Buchanan

Our walks often include the Bethine Church River Trail on the Boise River Greenbelt. Strategically placed along the way are rough-hewn log benches for contemplation. Next to each bench is a flush-with-the-ground “In Memory Of…” marker.

Recently we walked a little further and came upon a raised marker. It said, “In Celebration Of …”

On the return walk home, Len and I discussed the difference. We agreed that while they’re both wonderful, to us the “In Memory Of…” marker has a past-tense feel to it; while the “In Celebration Of” marker feels present-tense — ongoing.

We concluded that although we’ve elected to be cremated with our ashes placed in earth-friendly containers—biodegradable urns designed to convert into trees—we’d each like a celebratory marker at the base of our individual trees.

Do you want to be remembered, or celebrated?

The Sweet Seat of Serenity

Posted on November 25, 2014 by Laurie Buchanan

Located less than a half mile from our door, I’ve come to think of this bench as my serenity bench. A peaceful location to lift lids and check the progress on various pots simmering on the back burner of my mind.

In front, the Boise River moves languidly, dotted every now and again with Canadian geese and mallard ducks. Behind, I hear the chick-chick sound of birds and squirrels rustling for food; nature’s addition to the hushed steps of walkers on the Greenbelt — a peaceful serenade.

This serenity bench is my go-to place for plunging into some of the deeper pools of thought, and letting go of perceived control — allowing myself to be breathed by that which is greater than I.

Where is your “serenity bench?”

Stake in the Ground

Posted on May 13, 2014 by Laurie Buchanan

We’ve been in Boise for almost a month now and love it here! And while our possessions are only semi-unpacked (we’re enjoying a 3-month lease while looking for more permanent digs), we’ve definitely unpacked our lives and are settling in:

We’ve met several people who’ve introduced us to more people — expanding our sphere of friendly people
We had our delightful neighbor’s over for a back porch chat
We got Boise Library cards and I’ve dog-eared a favorite writing table
We thoroughly enjoyed the Idaho Botanical Garden
“Selfie” taken at the Idaho Botanical Garden — less than 2 miles away

We went on a guided bicycle tour of homes in the historic East End
We have Boise residential parking permits on our vehicles
We’ve been out to dinner and breakfast with new friends
We discovered the greenbelt that runs along the banks of the Boise River where giraffes peek over the zoo enclosure as we pedal by on our bikes

Giraffes peek over the zoo enclosure as we pedal by on the greenbelt

We’ve enjoyed a multitude of culturally diverse cuisine
We daily enjoy the designated bicycle lanes
I’ve pitched a project to one of the local newspapers and submitted an article to another
Our girls — Lexi and Willa — are getting their legs walked off at the dog park and on our excursions around town

We live mere blocks away from the dog park

We walk or ride our bikes to Whole Foods daily to pick up fresh produce where we’re on a first-name basis with some of the employees
We’re getting ready to take the Idaho driver’s license test
We have “Cheap Date Night” at the River Room set as a recurring event on Monday evenings
We’ve potted several vibrant-colored flowers

We’ve stuck our stake in the ground

In other words, we’ve stuck our stake in Boise’s fertile soil and claimed it home!

When was the last time you stuck your stake in the ground?

Find me on Twitter @HolEssence
Find me on Facebook

Tuesdays with Laurie

"Whatever you are not changing, you are choosing." —Laurie Buchanan

Tag Archives: Boise River Greenbelt