Emerald Aisle

Nature affords many glorious green visions (rolling hills, majestic cliffs, grassy meadows), but today in celebration of all things green we veer from the greens of Ireland and instead venture to the magical depths of a bamboo forest.

Bamboo forests can be found in many places throughout the world, but the above photo is from one in Japan - Arashiyama, west of Kyoto to be exact. Walking through a bamboo forest offers one of nature's great reminders that we are but a small part in the bigger picture. With reeds towering more than 100 feet in some cases, bamboo forests surround their visitors with every green in the spectrum. From a brilliant lime at the tops to an inky greenish black in the densest areas with interesting dappled light throughout, bamboo forests are a peaceful, pleasant way to get your greens.

I'll close with a blessing from the real Emerald Isle: May you have warm words on a cold evening, a full moon on a dark night, and the road downhill all the way to your door.