When I saw a picture of a pond like the one above, I loved it, I thought it was so beautiful and I longed to go there.

But it was missing something… no one was there to enjoy it. Not a bird, not a boat and no mermaids—believe it or not! Nothing at all to soak in all the serenity which is calmly waiting to be enjoyed. So in my version of the picture, I added some mallards and sent them off by two’s to have adventures together (the buddy system is still important!).

At the end of our street, there is a place called “Mermaid Pond”. Well, at least that is what we call it. Many years ago, our neighbors created the pond at the bottom of the hill in their yard. It is a pretty good size pond—big enough to act as a neighborhood ice skating rink. They also added ducks and geese to the pond, so it is a lot of fun to sit on the small bench and watch them play. Sometimes there is a spash with no obvious explanation so clearly, it is caused by mermaids being almost caught as they ducked back down under the waters surface!

There is a stretch of a wooded swampy area off to the right of the pond, and it is filled to capacity (or so it sounds) with bullfrogs, tree frogs and toads, and various other amphibious creatures. And ticks (and mosquitos), so I’ve never personally explored that mysterious and mucky area.

Walking on the side of the road by that stretch, with all those woodsy sounds and the occasional splash and quack, makes it seem like we’re entering a secret getaway spot.

The sounds of nature can transport you to another place, if you let it. They can take you away to savor the serenity, to soak in the creation, to observe the reflections in the pond, to watch the trees eagerly wave with the wind, and to capture each moment we have, each one a gift to marinate in the joys of Gods imagination and creativity!

Each minute can be celebrated because that minute is once-in-a-lifetime event! Each one is for us to have and enjoy to the fullest as it comes.

So why not take the time to use our gift of imagination to dream and ponder a peaceful, serene world where the mermaids joyfully splash just out of sight? Where trees conduct the chorus of the melodic voices belonging to frogs and ducks, geese and toads?

I wonder what the lyrics to their song would be?

I would love to hear from you! Please comment below, or by email (merri@artsandblessings.com) or for quicker interaction with me as well as with other readers, post your comment on my facebook page! I can’t wait to hear from you!