Not Elegant

A red tailed hawk perching on a fencepost looks proud and confident, perhaps even regal. Surely, however, he has his embarrassing moments. He sometimes misses the field mouse, his powerful and fierce dive into the grass turns into an awkward crash with feathers flying and talons empty. But he doesn't pout. He regroups, lifts himself into the air, finds another perch, and he sits there as self-assured as ever.

I am nothing like a red tailed hawk.

Sometimes I start with confidence, as if I've done this bike overnight thing bunches. Last night, however, the clumsiness was embarrassing. No one else was there, but experienced pondero sneered with contempt at what he saw. The camp set up, the gear forgotten, and cooking dinner were all awkward and messy. Even the usual decent coffee brewing choreography suffered. Fortunately, I was able to redo or adapt, and there were no injuries. 

It is also fortunate that the lovely (and elegant) Mrs. pondero joined me in the morning for a grasslands excursion. Even though I botched the navigation, she hiked through the chin high grass with no complaint. We made it to the "Texas Bothy" as planned after all.

Through the magic of editing, the slideshow below hides ineptness and shows there is much to be enjoyed by simply trying...by getting out there and giving the natural world a chance to show itself elegant. I'm no red tailed hawk. My ego is still sore. But I want be more like him. Perhaps several of us are eager to lay aside those chains of shame and self doubt, and soar free.