A Touchy Subject: Textures (WPC)

Posted on by Miriam

I’m a tree hugger, I’ll admit it. Actually I’m a hugger full stop. My sister always labeled me sensitive and touchy as a child. I guess it stuck.


I know I’ve posted a photo of this Ghost Gum before but this huge fella had the most amazing trunk I’ve ever seen.  It felt so alive.

How could I not hug it?


Then there were these Ironbark beauties in this forest in 1770, all rough around the edges yet holding a kind of fragility.

There’s nothing quite like immersing yourself  into the environment. That’s when all our senses came alive. 

And that’s what made the outback come alive for me.

A salt lake floor, so ethereal and pristine. Rocks that we walked on, through dry river beds, jagged and hard on our boots. 

So many different textures, so much spellbinding beauty.


Then there were the big skies.

Skies with textures and moods that intensified at sunset and sunrise. Hues of golden pinks and blues, orange and reds … it was like Mother Nature was playing with her pastels.


Then the iconic Australian monolith that is Uluru, the show stopping rock that puts on a free showcase of color every hour.

At a distance it’s breath taking.


Up close and walking around it, the crevices sometines felt like they were whispering to us.

Perhaps they were. 


Then there were textures created by the ocean.


When I gently held this sea creature I was taken by its smooth yet spiky outer surface. A little like the sides we all have in us.

Walking along sandy beaches the light and tides danced and changed the appearance.

Squishy sand beneath my feet immersed me into the moment

There’s no doubt the power of touch is priceless.

So if you can, go outside and feel the energy of the earth as you hug a tree, it’s a special feeling.

Or even better, go hug someone who needs it.  

It makes the world a better place.

Smooth, sharp, coarse, fine, we’re all like the most textured and precious plants that grow and thrive even under the harshest of conditions and climate.

Enjoy the small things in life, relish in the texture of the ordinary, for in reality they’re the big things.

Wishing you all love, peace and a mindful month as we reach out to each other and continue the journey into August. 

Sharing for The Daily Post Photo Challenge: Textures

Here’s a last big hug from me 😊

118 thoughts on “A Touchy Subject: Textures (WPC)”

  1. Oh Miriam these photographs are so beautiful. Just when I was having ‘a bit of a day’ I saw your post and it lifted my spirits. Too often I get insular and lost in my own little world and forget I’m part of something much bigger that can feed my soul if I just get out of my own way and re-connect with it. I’ve never hugged a tree but they do say we all vibrate with the same energy so I might go find me a nice big tree to throw my arms around and soak up some natural energy 😀 x

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    1. I’m so glad this was able to lift your spirits. I think we all sometimes get a little lost in our own insular world, that’s when blogging is so good. Helps us to reconnect with something bigger as you said. Hope you have a great day. And hope you find that tree to hug! xo 🙂

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  3. lol, great post you Big Hugger … a ‘touchy’ subject, like your play on words …. at first I thought it could be called tree texture lol … my favourites are your photos of the rock, spiritual majesty .. but what a great album of your travels, thanks Miriam 🙂
    I hugged some massive trees in NZ, took a group of huggers to get right around the trunk 🙂

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  6. Miriam. This is such a beautiful travel story, deeply spiritual too. Your description is absolutely stunning all the way through as are the many photos. Each one priceless.
    I am sure the Uluru mountain talks to you, it is whispering in your ear just now.

    I am a tree hugger too:)) ,truly. Never tried such huge ones as the Ghost Gum but Birches are hugged every morning as are Spruce and Pine. I have written several poems about trees.😉😊 , will save you for now.
    miriam

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    1. Seems we share more than just our name then Miriam. How wonderful that you’re also a tree hugger, there’s something so grounding about connecting to our roots, literally!
      Thanks for your lovely comment here and I’ll have to check out done of those poems you mentioned. 🙂

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  9. so many beautiful captures- I have never seen a ghost gum. That starfish was just beautiful- must have been amazing to hold it. I love all the textures, and the beautiful skies. Love the perspective of the plant with the road stretching ahead. I’m a huggy person – love giving them and getting them!

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  14. Wow Wow Wow! Gorgeous photos Miriam. I felt as if I were right there. I agree totally with everything you wrote. In fact I have been reading a little recently about Nature Deficit Disorder, and how beneficial and necessary are our experiences in and with nature. Treehugging seems a great way to avoid it!

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  16. I feel thoroughly hugged and loved after that, Miriam. Talk about embracing nature! 🙂 🙂 It’s obvious you had a fabulous time. That Uluru shot with the sky is just beautiful. Returning the hugs!

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  19. Miriam, this is definitely an inspiration to spend time immersed in nature. I liked your comparison of people to plants. “Smooth, sharp, coarse, fine, we’re all like the most textured and precious plants that grow and thrive even under the harshest of conditions and climate.” Have a beautiful week.

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  23. Pingback: Texture: Grass | What's (in) the picture?

  27. Wow.. seeing all those photos come together alongside those beautiful words is magical Miriam… You are so special in the way you capture the beauty and inspire such love.. thank you xx

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  29. Lovely post, Miriam! I think I was a teenager when I first actually hugged a tree. I was a little embarrassed to do it, but it was night and I figured no one could see me. And it felt so calming! No wonder people do it…
    I agree, there is nothing like being immersed in nature to force us to slow down, connect with our true selves and just plain appreciate the natural beauty of our world. Thanks for sharing the beauty of yours with the rest of us!
    PS: Thanks also for so faithfully reading, and commenting, on the posts I wrote while you were gone. I didn’t expect that, but very much appreciated it….such a sweet thing to do! And further proof of what a good and caring friend you are.

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    1. That’s so nice of you to say Ann! There’s still so much I haven’t read, and I’ll be honest I didn’t read much at all while I was away, but it’s been nice to catch up, at least a little.
      Thanks for your lovely comment. xo

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  41. You are so very special Miri, always remember that!!
    I love those Ghost Gum trees, they’re awesome. I love how you wrote Mother Nature playing with her pastels and that’s exactly what it looked like. Funny, that did look like a mouth on the side of Uluru and I think I heard it say Pssst. 😉 The salt bed pictures are so gorgeous, I can only imagine what they looked like in person. What wonderful new memories you now have tucked away to enrich your mind. Yes hugs all around!! Here’s a great big one from me to you!! xo 🙂

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    1. Love you Deb. Your descriptive comments on my posts always make me smile. Thank you so much lovely lady. Yes, I have many, many new wonderful memories. I hope you’re enjoying a relaxing weekend with your parents, or have they left now? Big hugs xo 🙂

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      1. You and your posts always make me smile too. Yes today’s their last day. We head to the airport at noontime. Boy it’s always hard the first few days after they leave, everything gets quiet again and I realize they are not in the next room. But it was wonderful spending so much time together!! Big hugs xo 🌷

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        1. I’m sure it was Deb. Now you have lots more special memories to tuck away. Wonderful. Enjoy your morning together and say hello and Bon voyage to them from me! 😎

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        2. I do and I will. My Dad loves to do crossword puzzles and so I had one for him every day from the newspaper. Well I kept one that he completed because it makes me smile and think of him and their stay here. I told them all about you and your wonderful singing and they love our songs!! They definitely think we should pursue it too. Yes I will relay your good wishes to them…they have landed and are driving home now. Big hugs my sweet friend xo

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        3. Glad to hear you had such a lovely time together. My dad used to love crosswords too!
          Funny cos I was thinking about our music this morning and how I’d love to do another song with you. Look forward to it happening. Keep smiling my lovely friend and we’ll talk real soon. xo

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        4. Huh, I wonder if it’s a guy thing!
          Oh we will definitely be doing more songs together, you can count on it!! I was just listening to them again today too!!
          Let’s both keep smiling, there’s so much to smile about, right?! Wishing you an inspirational day in all that you do…I’ll have you on my mind. xo

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        5. Thank you. You’ve been on my mind too Deb and your words have been a huge support to me today, from across the ocean. The power of words and virtual friendship, just love it! Big musical hugs to you xo 💕🙂

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        6. It makes me feel so wonderful to know that my words can be of some comfort to you. I love it and our friendship too!! Big musical hugs back!! xoxo 🙂

          Liked by 1 person

  44. I love this Miriam 🤗 I’m a tree ‘stroker’ 🖐🏻 I love placing my hands on trees and feeling their energy shift through me… My good friend Sal is a tree hugger – she swears by it! You and her are convincing me to give the next tree I see a great big squishy! 😍🌳🤗 xx

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  45. Miriam!
    I just love going places like this. Thanks for sharing.
    I had heard about tree hugging. Amazing to see the images.😃
    What is this tree hugging all about I do not understand.🤔
    Happy visiting you Miriam.
    Sending Best Wishes overseas.🌷
    Shiva

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      1. Oh Miriam I think once Deb had told me about this.
        Getting connected to the earth is something amazing. I think that is popular in the US I suppose . There might be other reasons too.
        Anyway I happy coming here. You have written so many interesting posts I would love to read them.
        I have written one poem on the tree lately, I shall post it one of these coming days.
        The title could likely be “Like tree…I too”.
        I would appreciate you to visit me and that your presence could be interesting.😃
        Shiva🎶

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