Most of the time when you really need to, you cannot get away. Take the last couple of days for instance: with the worsening situation in Gaza, the horrific take-down of a plane over the Ukraine, and any number of small pieces of bad news piled on top, we are inundated with things we are helpless to change.
I have only to go a few steps away to see gorgeous flowers, bees buzzing nearby. How lucky.
You should drink in relief where you can find it. It might not be far away, and it might be solitary. Sometimes it's best to take fortification in the simplest things.
My friends at the Friday Shoot-Out suggest "Vacations" as the theme this week. You can go there to see what that looks like in other parts of the world. Meanwhile I'm just gonna stare at the pond.
Yes, this world is way too much with us. As retirees we watch the news way too much every day and get so frustrated that we cannot do anything about it! A walk around the yard, yesterday I stalked the hummingbird, is exactly what was needed.
ReplyDeleteStalking a hummingbird sounds therapeutic; I better come by & see if you took some good pics.
DeleteI send a huge AMEN to this post, Kerry, and to Tabor's comment. I'm very swept up into the situation in Israel/Palestine, having visited there a year ago. But I have no neighbor with a spa in the backyard, and 2 trips with 2 in their 90's coming up, which will be no vacation (!), my only rest and relaxation this summer is to take a break from all the horrible news coming from the Middle East - and now from the Ukraine. Or, I can just sit and breathe deeply as I look at these gorgeous pics from Kerry!
ReplyDeleteBreathe deeply! And i hope the work & worry of chaperoning folks to your 2 upcoming events is surpassed by the pleasure of their company and the fun of the weddings themselves. But you may need a little vacation by the end of August. :)
DeleteMay I make your pond my screen saver? I would like to stare at it also rather than view the world events.
ReplyDeleteI would be honored if the pond went onto your screen. :-)
DeleteSometimes I think the best vacations are taken in our own backyards, or in this case in our neighbors.
ReplyDeleteIndeed it is so. Most of the time I don't need to go far at all.
DeleteTHANK YOU
ReplyDeleteYou are so welcome.
Deletetruly a beautiful getaway. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd all to myself for 2 weeks.
DeleteOne of the most beautiful and least costly vacations. We should all enjoy the simple things as much.
ReplyDeleteJust so, Hilary. I bet you feel that way where you live now, too. That lake, those sunsets.
DeleteThe daisies are stunning and that pond so refreshing. Yes, take the peaceful moments whenever possible and savor them.
ReplyDeleteGail, you spend a lot of time in nature areas, watching and photographing birds, so I know you already are skilled at escaping into the big backyard of where you live.
DeleteI have to, at times, stop listening to the news, stop reading FB posts, and tun my attention to the beauty in the world.
ReplyDeletePerfectly stated, Ellen.
DeleteLike Ellen, I was just thinking this evening I need to quit watching the news for awhile. It just seems every which way I turn lately there is some new terrible news and always the sad ongoing prejudices of the world that demand attention.
ReplyDeleteAs far as backyards go, I've been discovering Portland bit by bit lately. There is so much to see here.
The news is particularly disturbing right now. Although I don't want to ignore it, there is a real need for some relief.
DeletePortland is a wonderful place to see gardens, both public and private: I always notice that when I visit. Haven't been to the Japanese garden yet.
The Malaysian Airline crash is horrible.
ReplyDeleteYes, and so vividly reported.
DeleteBeautiful collection :)
ReplyDeleteIf we didn’t search out the beautiful things life might well be unbearable.
ReplyDeleteIf one takes a vacation to recharge the physical and spiritual batteries, you are fortunate to have that beautiful garden so close by in which to do that. Your garden photos are lovely.
ReplyDeleteInstead of pushing a big button for a missile, let's press a much smaller button for a picture.
ReplyDelete