The Problem With Assumptions.

There is a saying about what happens when you assume something. Well, I feel like an ass. I was on a hike in a fantastic park. It was at Grand Mere State Park in Stevensville, Michigan. This park has a unique landscape. It is heavy woodland with many oak trees. Loads of fall color and grand twisting trees. But this “tree line” suddenly gives way to a sandy beach along Lake Michigan. The woods excited me, and I did not expect to find much on the beach. I prefer a rocky shoreline with tidal pools and water breaking over the rocks every which way. I was fully prepared to be underwhelmed by the lake's flat, featureless sand beach. I was wrong.

 I started marching along the beach, expecting that there would be little, if any “good” images to create. Now, it is true that no dramatic waves were crashing over large rocks on the shoreline dramatically. It was a long, calm beach stretching into the distance with the calming sound of gentle waves lapping at the shore. It was relaxing. As I slowed down and enjoyed my surroundings, I noticed more minor details. I saw one in particular. A smaller rock with gorgeous patterns, tiny grains of sand sprinkled on the top like stars in the sky. The waves had left the sand surrounding the rock looking like the tail of a comet. I imagined this little fella aspired to be a grown-up comet someday.  

I had walked down to this beach expecting nothing and found a cosmos in the form of one egg-sized rock. It is a nice reminder that one should not make assumptions.