BY LESLIE REGO
A year ago, when I wrote my first Sketchbook Hiking article for The Weekly Sun, I thought I might do a few articles during the summer and that would most likely be the extent of what I had to say. The summer flowed into the autumn and I still had lots of ideas and lots of sketches to do. I thought surely autumn would be the end and then I would take a break. But autumn stretched right into winter and here I am again in the spring, still sketching and writing!
The other night my husband, my son and I were witness to an unusual event suffered by a female mallard duck. She had some kind of trauma and was lying belly up on the ground outside our house. Her male partner was swimming in the pond nearby, confused, as the female quacked weakly from her prone position. We wondered if we should do something, but decided to give the duck a bit of time, as she seemed to be recovering.
The three of us checked on her every so often. Somehow she managed to turn over, and took a few hesitant steps. Then the duck came to a rest, sitting placidly in the grass, as her partner forlornly continued to paddle in the pond.
Eventually, the two reunited. The female mallard seemed to be able to paddle and swim without problem. The next day she was walking about, getting into and out of the pond with ease.
When I started the Sketchbook Hiking column, I was worried I would not be able to write something fresh every week. I thought I might go “belly up” sooner, rather than later. But time proved me wrong and, with hesitant step after hesitant step, I have come to be able to see an ever-expanding vision of the world.
I am in awe of the mundane detail as well as the vast vistas. My drawing has improved. I sit down and write more easily. Most importantly, I seem to always see something exciting to be able to share with my readers.
Leslie Rego is an Idaho Press Club award-winning columnist, artist and Blaine County resident. To view more of Rego’s art, visit www.leslierego.com.