Drops of rain lingered on the pine boughs, simmering diamonds among emerald filigree.
A rich, earthy petrichor, created by a pre-dawn shower, sweetened the air. A cooling mist rose from the warm ground, giving the forest an ethereal feel. As she walked down a worn path beneath the interwoven canopy of tree limbs, she expected to stumble upon a fairy ring.
Inhaling the fragrant air, she felt her stress ease out with every breath. All around her, the music of the forest rose in crescendo, drowning out the city noise that had settled in her mind.
Pedantic and sedentary, her friends rejected all offers to join her ambles through the woods. They didn’t appreciate the healing powers of fresh air, and an unhurried pace. They always needed a destination, an itinerary, to feel productive.
She tried to share with them how she found redemption on these trips. That being alone with your thoughts, with no interruptions or distractions, could be very freeing. You have space to actually think. The only worries are having enough bug spray and water. Her friends could never imagine that she developed her best ideas on these hikes.
Maybe it was good that they didn’t come with her. Some invigorating downtime was one thing, winning the corporate rat race, was something all together different. She didn’t need to encourage the competition.
*I have to go out of town later this week, and I didn’t want to miss all the fun, so… I tried to combine a few prompts into one piece. I hope it doesn’t appear too forced, and that I managed to weave all three themes into one flowing fabric.
Thin spiral notebook 
It’s just as well the friends didn’t go – they would’ve ruined the peace and quiet. I like how you described the scenery and it didn’t feel forced at all. (And bug spray – so important…forgot that last time and the bugs made a buffet out of me.)
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Nature is wonderful. You captured the beauty and tranquility of being at one with Mother Earth so very, very well. Perfect writing.
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that was a beautiful, wonderful walk. I actually felt my sadness melt for a moment or two while you took us on that stroll.
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There was nothing pedantic about this tale. It made me wish for a moment, that I could take that walk with you.
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I need to do some more walking and hiking. I agree, the quiet is great for getting good ideas.
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Wow, this was absolutely beautiful, which is an ironic take on the not-to-pretty rat race. Well done and well said!
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I feel that cool forest and that contemplative pure air! I love how this was so immediate! It sure makes you feel bad for people who can’t be bothered! 😀
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Beautifully done. What a peaceful, lovely scene. One would never know you used three separate prompts. Excellent. Thanks for sharing.
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good grief, lady, you hit this out of the park. Those prompts were crazy hard. I like how you created a world for “her”. There was a lot of depth in feeling and wonder here.
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You’ve written a lovely scene that embraces the calm of a walk in the woods. The prompts were worked in unobtrusively. Nicely done :)))
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