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 
These painted rocks are absolutely fantastic 😀
Fun to make, fun to leave and fun to find! I wish I was a painter.
A friend of mine paints stones to leave around. We have gone on 2 trips to the north shores of the Great Lakes to find smooth white stones for her to paint. Then we did one trip to leave some behind. I don’t know…that part seems hard. It was hard for me to leave HER stones behind…even knowing people would be happy when they discovered them. It felt like leaving puppies out in the weather as I walked away from each of them.
I would find it hard to leave them too, but how kind of her to do it.
I love these little messages put in places to find 🙂
My sweetheart has had a couple left in the corner of his garden. The joy one was put there.
Very thoughtful
This is sweet. Maybe I should paint rocks during the winter. I have many lovely round stones and lots of paint.
I vote that you should! I know you like to spread a little happiness.
Thank you for encouragement. I think it would be fun.
A nicely selected collection
I’ve never seen a knitted mailbox topper in town, and we are comparatively short of scarecrows, but we do well for pebbles. We’ll know we’ve been levelled up when we start to get the toppers/scarecrows.
These are wonderful, and you’ve found so many!
I’m always looking for flowers and they tend to be in the same places.
They are so nice to see, Susan! Someone is very talented, and you really hit the bonanza!
It would be nice for the schools to make them in art classes, then we could have a lot more!
Susan, You’ve found a very nice collection. Thanks for sharing this.
It’s lovely to be able to pass the joy along.
what a joyful walk
It’s funny what a difference little tokens can make.
That last one made me laugh out loud. I think his hand is supposed to be holding the flower or sparkler or whatever it is, but I prefer seeing it as a thumbs-up sign. It’s hilarious, but serious too. I would hate running into that Yellow Submarine rock because then I’d have the song stuck in my head — just like now. Thanks for taking us with you; it’s therapeutic to see the signs of community. We ARE in this life together even though sometimes it doesn’t feel like it.
He’s very special. The song is catchy – sorry about that. I won’t name it in the hope not to start it off again. In fact I’ll mention the chicken dance instead. That’ll drive the other from your head.