In search of the hidden pond...

I grew up playing games like The Legend of Zelda and Hero's Quest. In these games, you walk up to a stranger in the town square, have a chat, and they give you a side quest. You can choose to pursue it or not. Often it's important in the game play because it leads to uncovering someplace or some item that will come in handy later on when approaching the main quest.

A few days ago, I ventured into the local artist's co-op and had a conversation with a woman from the town. She delivered me an irresistible side quest. She told me of a beautiful small pond that lie just down a small side street in the village. She said there was a little boardwalk that passed through. She, being a magical kind of person, made it sound so perfect and whimsical...I knew I would be searching it out. 

The next morning was a beautiful day. I strapped the baby on my back and like all good adventurers, we donned epic hats for sun protection and set off. Past the co-op, down the side street, around the corner. We looked and looked - and alas could not yet find the pond, it was not our time. 

We did however stumble right into a polinator garden. Not even a small one...a large one! Full of many different kinds of flowers, and a beautiful bright stand of sunflowers all pointing toward the sun. The garden was abuzz with insects - bees, grasshoppers, and butterflies. All summer, I had never known of this place, and now here I was at the height of the bloom, wandering amongst the flowers. 

We stayed a good long time, joyful at the newfound knowledge of this delightful spot. 

Sometimes I think I've seen all there is to see in this small town, and the surprises keep coming. 

Sometimes life offers opportunities to shake things up, to see something new, to wander into a place that makes all the difference.

Those opportunities may even come in the form of a side quest from a magical, artful shop clerk. 

Will you say yes? 

If you do, make sure to wear sun protection ;)