This is a picture of spring beauties (Claytonia virginica) on the farm where I work.  The past couple of days I've had the pleasure of walking around the woods collecting bees to help a graduate student at UD.  There's something really inspiring about being the woods alone and hearing only the sounds of nature.  I know that sounds really cheesy, but it's so true.  So often we get caught up in the speed of life and worries and deadlines and to do lists.  Even as a naturalist, I find that I forget to take a break from the stress and simply enjoy my surroundings.  I am blessed to have the job that I do and to live "off the beaten path".  The other night after dinner, Dave called in a turkey to our backyard!  That may not seem cool to a lot of you, but for us it was exactly why we have made a lot of the life choices that we have.  

I'm grateful for the people in my life that have inspired and encouraged my passion for the outdoors.  Whether they are people I know personally, like my brother and my husband, or well known figures in conservation like Theodore Roosevelt and Aldo Leopold, there are so many individuals who have touched my life.

I look forward to the many adventures that the future has in store for me, and I encourage you all to celebrate the Earth more than just one day a year!

Cheers, Missy