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A Grateful Heart in the Heart of the Catskills A
By Greg Madden
s we transition from the season of multi-colored beauty in the Catskills and drift into colder and darker times, a time of reflection for all settles in. With Thanksgiving on the November calendar and horizon, a pure and family based celebration, we ponder and ask just what are we grateful and thankful for, as this year rounds to a close and we have repeated our bountiful harvest? I, for one, am beyond thankful to be here with a completely new career, group of amazing friends, clients and experiences. I am thankful for you all and the gifts and energy you share so effortlessly. I am thankful for those I work with and the exciting journey we have undertaken in these challenging last few years. It is a journey to help thousands here on the mountaintop and throughout the Catskill Region. The work is good and so are you neighbors. I am so very, very grateful for all of you. Those of us who are fortunate to live here full time find ourselves enjoying these different seasons nestled amidst rolling hills, majestic forests, and pristine lakes, the breathtaking landscape that has captured our hearts as well as the hearts of many over the years, including famous historical personalities like Washington Irving and Thomas Cole. These gentlemen are just two of millions of folks to understand and express their gratitude for the profound beauty of the Catskills, gratitude for the respite it offers, and gratitude for the role it plays in preserving our planet Earth. For generations, the Catskill Mountains have been a source of inspiration for artists and writers alike. One such luminary, Washington Irving, captured the essence of the Catskills when he wrote about the bounty in our waters, “There is certainly some74 • issuu.com/catskillmtnregionguide
thing in angling that tends to produce a serenity of the mind.” His words resonate deeply with those who have cast their lines into the serene, crisp and chilly waters of the Catskill lakes, ponds and roaring kills, immersing themselves in the soothing symphony of nature. To live in the Catskills is to be surrounded by the beauty and serenity that Irving so eloquently described. Thomas Cole, considered by many as the most significant, and also the father of, American landscape painting, was equally drawn to the Catskills. Cole, American born and influenced by great European artists and the founder of the Hudson River School art movement remarked, “Nature is the art of God.” He was mystified with the Catskill Mountains as they served as his muse, and he painted its lush forests and majestic peaks with unparalleled reverence. His paintings continue to inspire artists and visitors alike, reminding them of the profound connection between humanity and the natural world. Whether you live here or visit us often, just experiencing the Catskills is a daily reminder of the healthful and restorative power of our natural setting. As the sun rises over the elevated horizon, casting a warm glow upon our mountains and streams below, it is impossible not to be thankful for the simple yet profound beauty that surrounds us each moment. The lush greenery, the babbling brooks, creeks and kills, and the rustling of fallen leaves all serve as constant reminders of the wonder of nature that engulfs us. It is a place where one can truly appreciate the words of John Muir, who once said, “In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks.” It takes me back to a story on forest bathing we published here just recently.
