Walking on your own is an acquired skill for many of us. I can’t claim to enjoy walking for exercise, though I do it. I’m more motivated by the things I might see. A kestrel is way up on my hoped-for list. Right now, in our damp climate, it’s fun to look for miniature forests of mushrooms that spring up seemingly out of nothing and have vanished without trace next time you pass.
The habit of looking helps me notice small, human interventions. While I can’t claim to go out hoping to find a painted pebble, each kindly placed treasure helps my spirit rise.
Having seen out millions of years, stones seem willing to bear timeless human messages knowing, perhaps, that time will flake them off.
Many designs give more than a nod to community. During lockdown, rainbows were set out to signal support for the work done in our sorely-tested, barely-holding but beloved National Health Service.
Stone poppies in token of remembrance were set out by Hoddlesden’s cenotaph. Red Flanders poppies germinated so readily on disturbed soil that they came to be associated with sacrifice and peace.
Word stones are often part of children’s gardens.
A worry doll village appeared in local woods during the pandemic as a place where children could play creatively in the open air and retain some feeling of community. I loved the doll’s house with the ladder or path depending how you look at it.
Community shines from pebble angels set out in a Clitheroe churchyard, too.
But it’s the quirky, solitary ones I enjoy finding the most, such as this face wedged into a hole in a tree along a reservoir walk. I had thought he had rouged cheeks, but looking again, they’re ears.
I never take any of the ones I see so the next person can share the joy, but I do regret leaving the yellow submarine. I don’t suppose Ringo could have left it?
Finally, a sweetie with a flower, heart cap, honey bees and a hive: a summer Santa, were there such a thing, and almost guaranteed to raise a smile.
If you are leaving decorated pebbles in gardens or along the wayside, thanks for taking the time to leave a piece of your heart for us to find. It’s appreciated.
Shared for WalkingSquares.
Susan Rushton 
The kids in our neighborhood left them in the woods during the pandemic. Everyone was out walking instead of going to the gym, so it was nice to see so many positive messages.
I hope a few more people got into a life-long habit of woodland walking, even if they have other options now.
What a wonderful way to start the day. This post sure made me smile. A worry doll village? I have never heard of the concept but what a great idea. My favorite pebble is the summer Santa.
That’s one of my favourites too. The worry doll village is largely dismantled now – just the doors are left, but I got a few pictures of it in its prime.
What a wonderful idea… Never seen anything like this where we live.
Perhaps you could seed a few. Others seem to quickly get the idea and join in.
That’s a good idea…mind you there are some kids around here that would just destroy them
It’s hard to destroy rock. I’ve seen a few surrounded by messages saying ‘please don’t take’, especially in private gardens, but mostly they’re just left to whatever might happen.
Very true .. I’ll keep my eyes out for them
Thank you for such a lovely post and the pictures of humanised pebbles.
Joanna
My pleasure! The ladybirds’ smiles make me smile. I read the other day that even reading the word ‘smile’ primes us to smile.
I used to find a few, but none in the last few years.
Perhaps the person who used to make them near you has moved away.
My wife would be delighted to see so many painted rocks. Her greatest joy is painting them and placing them in our yard or using them as gifts
She’s a sweet soul, Peter, but you don’t need me to tell you that!
I leant to love walking on my own during Lockdown. It’s my favourite way to walk now. And you’re right. Painted pebbles, which can turn up in the oddest places, can bring a moment of joy.
One good thing about lockdown was that so many people were walking alone, it seemed quite sociable in a weird way as everyone you passed either said ‘hello’ or looked sympathetic.
Sympathetic? That’s a new one!
You can get a lot from a glance. We had a popular walk nearby (now turned into a building site) and many people you passed were expressing ‘This is rubbish, isn’t it?’ ‘Are you alright?’ ‘I’m only giving you a wide birth out of politeness’ ‘I get it – thanks!’ etc in their looks and brief comments. It’s not a wealthy area and that might be part of it.
Gosh yes. I remember lockdown exchanges as being quite merry and neighbourly, even with complete strangers.
Wonderfully cheering. That guy with the pink ears is Mr. Potatohead, a popular children’s toy from our childhood that made a comeback through the Toy Story films. 🙂
Oh! I hadn’t made the association, but you’re right.
Fab collection! I shall keep looking…
We decorate the odd pebble, you decorate whole houses!
🤣💗
My wish for you is that you DO see that kestrel. We have a peregrine that I’ve seen in the backyard during the spring and it’s like spotting your precious fairies. Fleeting. Magical. Uplifting.
The painted pebbles are just like that too. So special and unexpected. Hope you bump into Ringo as well!
🧡💛🌻😊🍁💛🧡
We can often see kestrels on the moor, but I never get tired of watching them. A peregrine in the backyard must be something else! We have a sculpture of one in town, but it has no tail, so looks oven-ready. Ringo used to come to the Chelsea Flower Show so I’ve seen him a couple of times, striding along very busily in the middle of a group of minders.