19 Comments
User's avatar
Visceral Adventure's avatar

What a fantastic way to spend my morning, Barbara, reading your wisdom, seeing your captures, and listening to the babble of the water, which I’m sure is no babble but ancient wisdom which I have to remember how to understand.

Outer have pockets?!? To keep rocks?!? And I thought they couldn’t get any cooler after I discovered they flat down the river while hugging so they don’t separate! (Side note: when I want my family to go into a huddle and do a giant group hug, I call out “otter party!” 😂)

On rocks: are gem rocks just rocks who evolved to a level of beauty and healing after being regular rocks that had to sit in profound silence for eons?

Expand full comment
Barbara Sinclair's avatar

Oh my goodness, Tonika! I almost missed this. Thank you for this beautiful comment. I will think of what you said (ancient wisdom) the next time I sit mesmerized by Gone-Away's gurgling.

I mean, seriously. Can Otters be any more special? I've seen photos of them floating down the river (one good thing about Instagram), and OMG, "otter party!" is the best!

I think about crystals vs "plain old" rocks a lot. I seem to have an affinity for the ones I find here and there...worn and a little dull, unless they're in the water... than the shiny colorful crystals. Well, that's not 100% true. I love them all, and I love your theory about them! I sleep and meditate with them, carry them in my pockets (maybe I was an Otter in a past life), and often hear a clunking sound in the washing machine on laundry day.

So much Love to you, my friend! XOXO 🦦🩷

Expand full comment
Visceral Adventure's avatar

😂 I know the clunking sounds all too well!

Expand full comment
Barbara Sinclair's avatar

I forgot to tell you that both times I was replying to your message I looked outside and Clara was right by my door! 🕊️ 💕

Expand full comment
Visceral Adventure's avatar

😍😍😍 I have some sad news about my Claire. 😢 I’ll email you when I get out of school.

Expand full comment
Ronnie Rocket's avatar

Hi Barbara! Finally I got to reading this beautiful piece and feast on those fabulous photos, which made all those rocks look so unlike any "rock" I've ever seen before. I loved watching and listening to the waterfalls. And I was totally relaxed by the sound of your voice. I know you're not a native New Englander, but you've definitely got a "lilt" of it. It takes me back...and that reminds me of John Denver's "Country Roads".

My brother used to swim across and back some of those NH lakes and then he would dry off at the edge of the water on this enormous granite boulder with a flat top. It was perfect for sunning himself.

Can't wait for the surprise you have for us this weekend, as if this wasn't enough of a gift. xox

Expand full comment
Barbara Sinclair's avatar

Thank you for reading, Ronnie! Lol, maybe my Midwestern nasally accent has morphed into New England speak because I love it so much here. :)

That is one of my favorite songs since I moved here. I don't like to drive, but I do love driving these country roads. My friend, Owen, does John Denver proud: https://on.soundcloud.com/HtJREkYybDAWrTv66

Your brother...WOW! That's amazing! I imagine maybe Squam Lake? I live in the Lakes District. I had no idea until I moved here, and what a wonderful surprise that was!

Working on the post now! Hope to get it out this weekend. I hope you're having a good one, Ronnie. XOXO

Expand full comment
Ronnie Rocket's avatar

Oh, Barbara, I loved your friend's rendition of Country Roads. I almost like it even better than the original. It's a couple of octaves lower (what do I know?) and I like the way that sounds. I got a kick out of your photo at sound-cloud with your pigtails and big smile, being recognized for playing the song the most. LOL What a riot!

The lake my brother swam across was Laurel Lake in the Monadnock Region, the area where he lived, in Troy, NH. Here's a link https://www.laurellakeassn.com/the-lake

This woman friend of his who sent me the link was with him that day that he swam across and she recalled how worried she was for him to do that. That's just the way he was. Thanks for listening to my story. Good luck with your special post. XOX

Expand full comment
Barbara Sinclair's avatar

I'll let Owen know you like it! He's such a dear and so incredibly talented. And that lake! I've never heard of it, but it looks beautiful!

Thanks again, Ronnie! XOXO

Expand full comment
Joshua Bond's avatar

That water looks beautifully crystal clear ... and cold. I also have a favourite spot by the river half an hour's walk from home. Am just getting into rocks; plenty of big ones around - we live in a granite area - our 200-year old farmhouse sits on one. Thank you for the introduction to the amazing world of otters.

Expand full comment
Barbara Sinclair's avatar

That sounds amazing, Joshua! Isn’t it just the best sound? 💦

Expand full comment
ocean pearl's avatar

New here,,, words can't express how much comfort I find here. Thank you for the healing sounds, peaceful words, and information shared.

Expand full comment
Amanda Galeotti's avatar

Reading this is like taking a long exhale, settling into the moment and the remembrance that every moment has beauty to offer. It’s such a gift to your readers to be thought of when you’re on your sacred walks in your magical land. Thank you for sharing yourself and your time with us. I love all the links and videos you shared, too. And, I’m so glad you’re working on your book. She, too, will be a gift to those who read her. 💖

Expand full comment
Barbara Sinclair's avatar

Thank you, dear Amanda. I truly hope one day to have you walking in these woods me (sans bugs!) Thank you for always leaving such dear comments.

Love you, my friend. AKA Bird Woman 🦅 🥰

Expand full comment
Kathleen Devanney. A human.'s avatar

Thank you, Barbara. What a wonderful feast for ears and eyes. (As I write, listening to birdsong.)

"I felt my heart expanding. My vision seems clearer. I can’t wipe the smile off my face."

I know the feeling - and I can't get the smile off my face from this post. So kind of you to share your gushing happiness in Nature - I genuinely feel as if I'm receiving it!

That is the sweetest thing I ever heard about otters! And I'll tell a funny story. Out to lunch with a friend, we were leaving a tip, and we need a few more singles. I had already put my coat on, and so I checked the pockets and in addition to some dollars I pulled out two small rocks.

My friend laughed at that, and as I was separating the bills from the rocks, the waitress came over and said rocks would be a fine tip - she was a rock person too. :-)

You're a love and a wonder and as naturally inspiring as a river. XOX

❤️

Expand full comment
Barbara Sinclair's avatar

Aww, thank you, Kathleen! Your comments always make me blush. I was actually thinking of you and a few other readers yesterday while I was sitting on the boulder in the stream. I knew that you would understand how I was feeling.

And OMG, the waitress!!! Maybe we can start a Rockhound Club. Instead of talking about the world news, we can share rock stories and photos, of course. I'm about to share something this weekend, and I think Rocks (gonna have to start capitalizing them now) might be involved! Love you, friend! XOXO

Expand full comment
Mary R's avatar

Another precious one Barbara, thank you for such tender sharing. And the otter video, wow, great moves…who knew, but being a fellow rock person I appreciate it even more.

Expand full comment
Jlynnferd's avatar

The photos and videos are splendid 🥰😍🥰💚🤎💚🤎💚🤎💚🤎💚🤎

The earth tones, UGH!! Those sounds 🥰

Thank you for sharing!!!! Xo!!!

Looking forward to the share this weekend 🤗🤗💕xo!!!!! I love youuuuu!!!!!

Expand full comment
Barbara Sinclair's avatar

Thanks for always taking the time to read and comment, Jamie! I love you so very much, my friend! XOXOXO

Expand full comment