A Sit Spot is a place you choose to go and spend time in the natural world. The best place would be one that's close enough to where you live that you will go there frequently. And what do you do when you get there? You sit quietly and observe what's around you; you listen; you smell; you touch; you become acquainted with this place and what is there. People of any age can enjoy a sit spot. A child might like to find a spot in the backyard where they feel safe and can go on their own. Most adults like to walk a bit away from the house so they feel like they are putting aside the daily routine. It's best if it's close to home so you are more likely to go frequently.
My sit spot is on Beaty St. Pond. I like to walk quietly to get there and let go of things that are on my mind in the rest of my life. And then I may sit or I may stand but I spend 10 to 20 minutes just being there. Some days I listen to the birds. Or I may look at a particular plant and see if it's showing signs of the change of seasons. I take my journal with me and I write down the date, time and what the weather is like. Then, I may write a list of the birds I hear or see. Or maybe I see an interesting track in the mud. I might draw a sketch or something or maybe write a poem. Binoculars come in handy as well as a digital camera.
Today at my sit spot I saw two mallards and a kingfisher. I heard a lot of other birds that I never saw. I heard a blue jay, a wren, chickadees, tufted titmouse, and a downey woodpecker. I noticed that one side of the pond has ice on it and the other has melted.
It was good to see the sun after so many gray days. And it was warm enough that all the mud has thawed out and there were some animal tracks. Mostly dogs I think. I hope you'll think about having a sit spot. Maybe you'll write a comment here about yours.
