Dry Creek Bed, Blackhawk State Park 9/30/12, Jacqueline Perry
A tiny drop of fear can water the imagination. When I moved to the Quad Cities six years ago, someone with the best of intentions warned me not to go walking alone at Blackhawk State Park. A young woman’s remains had once been found there. The advice stuck in my mind and for six years I avoided walking the woodland trails.
Last Sunday afternoon, I had the best time walking the pathes at Blackhawk State Park. At times, the trails, made dusty from use, wrapped tightly along dry creek beds and steep ledges. The late afternoon sun filtered through golden leaves. Along the way, I met several generations laughing and enjoying the woods. The deep dry creek beds were the most interesting to me, full of rocks and leaves and not a drop of fear.
Amazing.
tobeamazed 
Yes, a small thing can change us. A small act of kindness can change a person’s whole day…even their whole life.
Thanks, Linda, for your thought. Today a friend sent me past news about the 2005 murder of Adrianne Reynolds, 16, who was killed by a classmate and her friends and later left at the park. Perhaps a small act of kindness to the new kid in school (Adrianne) from any of the three young people responsible would have changed them and the ugly course they chose.
Hi. I like the way your drawing captures the perspective. Also, the trees in the background are represented in a few deft strokes. I also like ‘not a drop of fear’. Jane
Thanks, Jane. Because the writing is newer for me than the drawing, the words that come out surprise me. I’m grateful for this medium (the blog) that invites me to put images and words together …its a new discipline for me.