Finding Peaceful Moments in the Pine Trees of East Texas

The solitude of nature among tall pine trees is breathtaking.

Yesterday, David Muir of ABC World News reported the country is in a heat wave crisis all across the states located East of the Rockies. A 55-year-old woman from Missouri died in her apartment last Monday from heat exhaustion when the power went off. Her body was found a week later.

I’m stationed in Shreveport, Louisiana where the local news reports temperatures in the 102 degree range, with humidity as high as 90%. The heat is dangerous for older people like myself, so I stay indoors under the AC as much as possible and work on my Substack articles.

In the process of drafting my story, I keep getting distracted by my daughter and other things. Even though, it’s an innocent act; I’m not able to focus on my writing task, so I decided to go camp at Martin Creek State Park located in East Texas, near Marshall.

I Set Up Camp Near the Power Plant

I’m no stranger to this East Texas State Park. I come here often to enjoy the beauty of the power plant that provides electricity to over 250,000 residents of Ft. Worth located over a 100 miles from here.

The humming of the massive generators and the lights shining on the lake at night impress and inspires me. It helps me to be in a creative mindset while feeling peaceful.

As the sun goes down, I’m settling down in my lawn chair with my journal and favorite writing pen. Even though, the evening air in East Texas hangs heavy and still, it’s muggy and uncomfortably hot, I still like sitting outdoors in my lawn chair and feeling nature.

It was the Quietness I Needed

I could hear crickets chirping in the underbrush and somewhere in the distance, and a barred owl called out through the piney woods. It was music to my ears.

I poured myself a tall glass of iced sweet tea and paused for a moment to think about the citizens of our country who are homeless living in tents, campers or cars in Los Angeles and other cities like Dallas. I felt blessed to be camping while feeling serenity.

I couldn’t help but wonder how they cope from day-to-day with the dangerous heat waves among other struggles of life. I imagine if I were in their shoes, what would I do? What mindset and attitude would I develop?

Only the Strong Survive!

Some people hang out in shopping malls, public libraries, Walmart or coffee shops. At least they have access to the bathroom facilities, water, and AC. In that situation, I would probably act the same way.

There needs to be more voices to advocate for these people and provide affordable housing for them.

But in the Meantime

My favorite thing to do is to be alone in my gray camper van, writing on my novel and creating articles on Substack. While listening to a variety of birds chirping in the piney woods, I’ll write my thoughts in my journal, dream of tomorrow, and pray for those who are homeless that they will feel safe and find affordable housing soon.

Thanks for reading!

Kindly,

Carol