Category: Nature Writing

This Year I Hope to Write Honestly My Disabilities and My Passions

On By corrinnebrumbyIn chronic illness, chronic pain, Ehlers' Danlos, fibromyalgia, Nature Writing, Thoughts About Life and Love, Writing Through the FogLeave a comment

My chronic pain is very much a part of me. It is me, it does define me, but it’s far from all of me. I often hear attempts at inspiration try to say things like don’t let your illness define you. But living in denial won’t help me either. I think, like many things, it’s a balancing act. So, I want to try that this year, writing and living honestly with my disabilities along with my passions like nature. Because it’s all part of me. 

I have hesitated to write because so much has changed since I began my writing journey. I am so much more disabled now. I find it hard to fight through brain fog and make sense of my thoughts. I have also found it hard to connect with nature since I often can’t hike or be outside for extended periods anymore. I have to relearn how I approach writing and nature. 

Writing this, my joints hurt. I’m wearing wrist braces (which makes it very difficult to type) because my wrists are hurting after spending some time at the arcade. I think I did overdo it after all, just when my physical therapist told me to, “have fun! But don’t overdo it.” That’s always a fine, faint line that is so difficult to gauge until I accidentally cross it and realize it too late that yeah, I overdid it… again… 

I want to give a snapshot of what life is like for someone with disabilities and chronic pain. These things are so often sugar-coated. Or we are reduced to medical research, diagnoses, and doctor appointments. However, there’s a much more human experience to chronic pain and disability, that whether disabled or not, we all should learn to acknowledge. 

In other words, I want to tell our story, to make it more than data, and show what it’s really like to live it, the good the bad, the painful, and the frustrating. Also, let’s make this an open space. If you want to tell your story of living with disabilities, you can comment or email me. I’d love to chat and hear your story too and share it if you wish. 

Now, more than ever, we need to protect one another

On By corrinnebrumbyIn mental health, Nature Writing, Neurodivergent, Thoughts About Life and LoveLeave a comment

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness,” Preamble to the Declaration of Independence.

I never thought I would fear the loss of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I never thought I would lose my rights here in this country, taking steps backward after so much progress had been made for so many marginalized people.

I fear the loss of my healthcare, and disability aid because of the significant cuts planned as well as disability rights and access due to cuts in the ADA. I fear the loss of my rights as a woman to have healthcare access for my body. I fear discrimination and loss of rights as part of the LGBTQ+ community. I fear the loss of democracy in our country.

I fear for those I love, for trans people losing their rights to healthcare, and choices for their bodies, and facing increased discrimination and hate. I fear for immigrants facing the threats of deportation, discrimination, and racism when so many of them were doing everything they could to seek a better, safer life. Even those who are here legally, I fear discrimination and racism based on assumptions and fears.

I fear for my black friends who are already experiencing increased racism from people who now feel empowered in their hate.

I fear for the environment, that reductions in the EPA will put so many threatened and endangered species at risk when their futures are put in the hands of the whims of corporations wanting to build where they wish without limitation.

The list goes on, veterans losing their rights, schools losing funding. History not being taught, christian ideals forced on non-christians. Books banned.

The protections, rights, and programs that protected us are threatened to be stripped away by those who were supposed to protect us.

I’m not the only one fearing their rights, safety, freedom, and future being taken away in the next few years.

Over the past week, I’ve heard so many different responses and thoughts on the results of the election. At this point, it all goes beyond political differences when people’s very lives are threatened.

We need to fight for our rights as much as we can. We must protect one another, and stand up for one another especially those who are different from us. We must not excuse hate, discrimination, racism, and fascism. We must fight for the nonhuman species who will lose government protection. So now, more than ever, we need to protect and look out for one another.

For those who haven’t realized how much we are threatened, project 2025 lays it all out. Read it, educate yourself, but please take care of your mental health as you do. Please feel free to reach out, I am a safe place if you feel threatened and need resources, I’m here. We need to support each other now more than ever.

The Nature of Healing

On By corrinnebrumbyIn mental health, nature, Nature Writing, NeurodivergentLeave a comment

“As I sit in the humid air, exposing my wounds, nature meets me, exposing her own wounds.”

An essay very personal and close to my heart had the honor of being published recently in the first issue of Mental Rhythm Magazine. They are a literary magazine that seeks to end the stigma around mental health, an issue I also care deeply about. So here is my very honest essay about some of my own experiences with depression and anxiety.

Issue One

The Anhinga’s Evening Routine

On By corrinnebrumbyIn Birds, Nature WritingLeave a comment

It sat in the shallow algae covered waters of the lake. Its long black neck snaked out of the water. With its knife-like beak, it flipped its catch in the air, turned it around, and swallowed the fish whole. In a flash, it was below the water again. Not even a ripple stirred on the water. It was completely submerged, searching for its next catch.

Anhinga fishing in the water Corrinne Brumby

These birds always amazed me with their masterful swimming and fishing skills. Most waterfowl like ducks, coots, and herons, all stay above the water. Ducks partially submerge sticking their beaks in the water, leaving their bottoms sticking in the air and their webbed feet kicking. But anhingas dive completely into the water.

In a quick motion, leading with their head, they go completely under coming up 30 seconds later with a fish that it swallows whole. Many other fishing birds don’t even dive for their fish. Herons, egrets, spoonbills, and storks all wade in the water and submerge only the end of their long beaks to catch their prey.

The anhinga is agile. I watched this one anhinga hunt. Within a few minutes it had caught more than four fish in the same manner, diving for no more than a minute at a time, and each time it came up with a fish and took a moment to wriggle it around in its beak and swallow it before diving back under the water.

It’s common to see anhingas perched on the water’s edge at any of the lakes in Florida. They sit there with their wings outstretched, drying their feathers, and soaking in the sun. But this time I got to see one in the water, fishing for its evening meal.

The anhinga continued to inch its way up the branch and shake its feathers vigorously. Droplets of water flew off in all directions. Then it spread its wings stretching them out and letting them dry in the setting sun. But just letting them sit there wasn’t enough.

The anhinga began beating its wings in a steady rhythm and moving its long neck. Unlike other birds, however, this bird’s dance wasn’t for show, it was more practical; it was the drying off dance. The dance seemed effective; its shiny black feathers fluffed on all sides. The anhinga had a successful evening eating its fill, and now it was winding down on its cozy tree as the sun set across the lake.

Originally published on https://www.theodysseyonline.com/anhinga-fishing

Sandpiper on Beach

Lone Sandpiper

On By corrinnebrumbyIn Birds, Nature Writing1 Comment

On most days, sandpipers, seagulls, pelicans, egrets, and other shorebirds line the shore. Dozens of sandpipers rummage the sand at the water’s edge, pecking for any food they can find. People are seen swimming, sunbathing, and walking up and down the beach, enjoying the warmth and sunshine.

Today, however, was different; it was pouring rain. It was one of our first days back in Florida, so my husband and I were not going to let a little rain stop us from going to the beach.

The little parking lot, that was normally packed, was empty. We left all our belongings in the car including our shoes. It was pouring so hard everything would be soaked in a few seconds. We got out of the car and ran barefoot across the pavement to the beach. I felt like a kid again, running in the rain in my swimsuit and getting soaked.

Normally Florida is hot in May, but the rain cooled everything down, and now I had an uncontrollable shiver as I walked across the wet sand. Allen jumped in as the rain splashed against the waves.

I hesitated, like I usually do, because I never know what sort of creatures might be hiding in the water. I waded in up to my knees and splashed the water with my hands. It was warmer than the air that was making me shiver. As cold as I was, the coolness was a relief since it had been hot all day in our house with broken air-conditioning.

I looked out at the Gulf of Mexico in front of me. It was strange seeing the clouds hanging so low above the ocean. They formed a dense gray fog. The waves moved up and down, pushed by the rain and gentle wind. It was almost frightening being so close to such a wild and untamed piece of nature.

My mind wandered to movies I had seen like “Castaway” and “Life of Pi” where people were stranded at sea, pushed mercilessly by the stormy waves. I shivered again and tried to not think of the miles and miles of open water in front of me.

I turned and looked around at the sand. There was not a person in sight. Usually, you could see dozens of people swimming and walking up and down Indian Rocks Beach.

I looked some more and noticed that the birds had all left too. It was eerie and quiet. It’s funny how rain can empty a beach that is normally filled with people. It was peaceful. I splashed around and savored the quiet for a moment. My head cleared and I relaxed from our long weekend of moving into our new home.

I looked at the sand on my left again; it was empty except for one lone sandpiper. The sandpiper was running around, pecking at the sand at the edge of the waves, and finding any bit of food he could. He didn’t seem bothered by the rain that was pouring on him; he was just busy going about his day as if nothing was happening.

“Allen, look at that sandpiper,” I said pointing at the sandpiper who continued pecking at the sand. I watched him run back and forth, scurrying along the beach. I was so used to seeing them in groups of dozens, but he was the only one on the beach. For a bird that is typically social, he seemed to be enjoying the solitude.

I felt like the lone sandpiper at that moment. He was the only bird at the beach, and my husband and I were the only humans there. We were all enjoying the beach like we normally do, despite the downpour and cold. The beach is enjoyable in any weather, and the sandpiper seemed to think so too.

He was probably happy to not have to worry about anyone else taking his food; he could eat in peace. Sometimes it’s nice to be alone. Maybe it’s a little eerie, but it’s also peaceful. The sandpiper continued running along the edge of the waves, pecking at the sand, and content to enjoy the beach alone.

Originally published on Odyssey

Stream Through the Woods

Spending Time With Nature Heals You

On By corrinnebrumbyIn Nature WritingLeave a comment

Four years ago, I woke up in a flurry of emotions; my mind weighed down by a cloud of anxiety and depression. Will he break up with me? What will happen? What should I do? I forced a bowl of cereal down and crawled back into bed. The sun shone through the window beckoning me outside. It looks so happy out there, so why am I sitting in here wallowing in my own pity? I got dressed, put my walking shoes on, stuffed a water bottle, my phone, and a journal in my purse, and went outside.

The summer sun embraced me. I walked, and every step I took the dense cloud on my mind evaporated a little more. I passed by a house with a massive tree that was covered now with bright green leaves. I stopped for a second to inhale and enjoy its beauty. More green trees, flowers, and soft grass beckoned me onward until I departed the subdivision. Across the street was a natural field. Beautiful purple and yellow wildflowers bloomed; their colors filled me with unexplainable happiness. It was hard to believe I was depressed just moments before.

I stopped and sat with the flowers, blue sky, sun, and gentle breeze. They carried away all my fear. Everything I had been anxious about seemed so silly. Nature is more than some nice, pretty scenery to look at; there is this energy about it that brings you back to reality, back to yourself. It restores. It heals. I started to take walks like this every day where I would spend an hour or two enjoying nature and letting nature heal me. Many times, it was the only thing that kept me sane.

In Florida, I would experience similar healing from the ocean. Stressful school assignments would be looming overhead, I would feel overwhelmed with all I had to do, but then we would go to the beach and as my toes touched the sand then the waves, I would forget all my stress and my mind was clear again. It wasn’t that I tried to forget my worries–it happened on its own. Nature healed me without me doing anything but stepping outside and enjoying it for a moment. Life is slower in nature. Nature knows how not to be busy, rest, and enjoy. That peace can’t help but rub off on you.

Nature not only restores us mentally but physically as well. The other day I had been lying in bed with stomach cramps and backaches all day. I was sure I couldn’t run, but I went with my husband to the park anyway. It was beautiful; all the trees were blooming; the grass was growing long and bright green. I tried running, and as I did I felt no pain, the movement felt good. Nature felt good. I managed to run the whole mile around the park, surprised at what my body could do. Movement and being in nature has this way of making you forget your pain, to enjoy and rest in the moment while all your other problems fade.

Originally published on Odyssey