Innermost Being Blog

One of the top fossil interpretive sites in North America

by Innermost Being, posted in Word Prompts

Name an attraction or town close to home that you still haven’t got around to visiting.

My home is in South Dakota. Since moving to the Black Hills region four years ago, I’ve visited a few popular tourist attractions – Mount Rushmore, the Badlands, and Bear Country USA.

I have not visited the Mammoth Site in Hot Springs. The history of the site’s discovery is interesting. In 1974, the property was set to be developed for a housing project. A man who was leveling the ground struck something white with his blade and got out to take a closer look. It was the nearly seven foot long tusk of a mammoth. Today, the site is “the world’s largest mammoth research facility.”

Another attraction close to home that I have not yet visited is Adventure Park in Keystone, SD. I planned to visit for my 60th birthday to do something adventurous – ziplining! But a month before my birthday, I fractured and dislocated my shoulder.

The Black Hills have several caves. I have visited Jewel Cave National Monument and a smaller cave. I would like to visit Wind Cave National Park.

When I retire later this year, I will have no excuse not to visit these attractions. Adventures await!

Enjoying the little things

by Innermost Being, posted in Word Prompts

List five things you do for fun.

1. Hiking in the woods with friends, crossing streams, climbing over rocks, stopping to look at flowers and mushrooms, and butterflies. Listening to chickadees and crossbills.

2. Road trips to visit family. Listening to music and singing along. Chatting, eating, playing games, making and sharing memories.

3. Road and trail running races. Admiring the speed and endurance of other runners while slogging along to the best of my ability.

4. Dining out and enjoying tasty meals.

5. Watching birds that visit my backyard feeders – Eurasian collared doves, dark-eyed juncos, house sparrows, and bluejays. The surprise visit of several sharp-tailed grouse.

I will never hurt you

by Innermost Being, posted in Word Prompts

If you could make your pet understand one thing, what would it be?

Fourteen years ago, we looked for a kitten after our cat Callie died. There weren’t any kittens at the Dumb Friends League, a really well-run shelter in Denver. My husband found another shelter that did have a few kittens. He liked Stormy, a ten-month old black cat, and a dilute “tortie” kitten. He let me choose which one to adopt.

Of all colors, black cats reportedly have the lowest adoption rates and highest euthanasia rates. For that reason, I chose Stormy.

I don’t know Stormy’s history, but I don’t think she was socialized much in the shelter. She is much more skittish than any cat we’ve ever had. My husband was able to get her to sit on his lap right away, but it took a while for her to warm up to me.

Stormy is so sweet, I call her my little angel. She doesn’t meow much, and she doesn’t beg to be fed constantly, unlike our younger cat, Misty.

I have bonded with Stormy. She is sitting on my legs as I write. She has trained me to follow her to the guest bedroom in the basement when she wants to be petted.

Stormy is still afraid to be picked up. If I could make her understand one thing, it is that I will never hurt her.

I am Catherine

by Innermost Being, posted in Word Prompts

Write about your first name: its meaning, significance, etymology, etc.

I go by the nickname, Cathy, but my first name is Catherine. Catherine is derived from the Greek word kathoros, which means “pure.”

There are many variations in the spelling of my name, including Katherine, Kathryn, and Katharyn. My brother David used to call me by a Portuguese variation of my name, Catrina.

My first name and its variations were much more popular in the 1950s and 60s than they are today. There were three Cathys and one Kathy in my high school class. There are several Cathys/Kathys and a much younger Katrina at my church.

I am a sinner; I am not pure. However, I do relate to what the baby name site, thebump.com, says about Catrina:

[This name] “will encourage baby to embrace their inner goodness throughout all their days.”

Yes, I embrace my inner goodness.

When Jesus washed my sins away, he gave me a clean heart. It is an ongoing effort to remain pure in heart.

This is a favorite prayer:

Create in me a pure heart, O God,
    and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Psalm 51:10; NIV

In the field of nature

by Innermost Being, posted in Nature, Word Prompts

What’s your dream job?

I’m nearing the end of my chosen career as an accountant. It isn’t a dream job. It’s one I chose for practical reasons. I have been able to make a good living while working behind the scenes, which is quite appealing to an introvert.

A dream job is one where you’re doing something you’re passionate about. It’s even more satisfying if you’re helping others.

In my 40s, I took up trail running. My eyes were drawn to wildflowers, and I started taking pictures of them. I learned their names and plant families. I feel joy when I find a flower I haven’t seen before. I love seeing pollinators on them. I welcome the arrival of my beloved flowers every year. I share their beauty with others on my Facebook page, Wildflowers of the Hills and Plains.

South Dakota’s state flower, Pasqueflower

Four years ago, we moved and bought a house with a bird feeder. Now, I’m learning about birds! I’m becoming the person in the birdwatching meme my brother shared with me.

As you age, it’s ridiculous how fast birdwatching creeps up on you. You spend your whole life being indifferent to birds, then one day you’re like, “Hey, that’s a yellow-rumped warbler!”

Unknown

If I had known forty years ago that I would have found so much joy observing and learning about nature, I may have chosen a different career. I have a feeling that practicality and self-doubts would have kept me from pursuing my passion.

The good thing about retirement is that I will be able to pursue my passions without worrying about a paycheck!