No time for sunning lazily on a Lake Superior rock, watching the waves lap in and out, in and out. No time for enthusiastically snapping photos, attempting to capture ordinary every day objects at odd angles and views.
No. Because of this perceived lack of time, this qualifies as semi-cheating blog. Even though the outdoor commitment has been accomplished for today (walked a mile or two with my friend Lyn, picked spinach and lettuce in the garden, ate dinner outside on the deck tonight as the temperatures have unexpectedly soared back to the upper 70′s) there are no new photos to post from today’s activities.
Our cold and ripply Lake Superior
These pictures were taken a couple days ago, in Baraga, on the way to Cindy’s house. I parked the car next to the lake and sat along her shore feeling the cool wind blowing while simultaneously soaking up the warm sun.
It’s a peaceful feeling sitting by the lake, admiring the ancient stones.
Glistening rock
But sometimes we have no idle minutes to dangle our fingers into the cold lake. Sometimes we need to scurry from errand to appointment to visit to commitment. At times like this, when we think there’s too much to accomplish, we need to murmur to our energized thoughts, “Slow down. Don’t worry. We’ll get everything done. Everything that needs to get done will get done.”
The umbrella of a tree reaches out to almost touch the waves
So today has been a deep breathing type of day in between “doings”. Deep breathing was especially required when I backed up a little close to a parked SUV behind my car. The almost-hit happened because I was staring riveted at two perfectly matched sandals sitting in someone’s driveway. My mind was occupied trying to figure out why the sandals were positioned just so. There was a story behind those sandals. There had to be. Or at least a photo opportunity. My reverie was rudely interrupted upon noticing the SUV a foot from my tail lights.
But no time for any more reverie on this blog. A half dozen things still need to be done before the moon rises in the night sky. May all of you enjoy peaceful moments with nature in between the business of your days. May you practice deep breathing if things get too hectic. Breathe in your memory of that day of the lake; breathe out your feelings of too many things to check off your list.
7 comments
Comments feed for this article
July 10, 2009 at 6:35 am
flandrumhill
That is such a lovely photo of the tree leaning over towards the water. It looks like a willow. We would never have seen it if you’d not been so rushed yesterday.
July 10, 2009 at 6:59 am
centria
Oh what a lovely way to look at it! I think it was a willow tree. This morning feels so much more peaceful already. Just finished meditating and journaling. Ahhh…and now…out to the garden.
July 10, 2009 at 8:29 am
Reggie
I so laughed at your statement:
“The almost-hit happened because I was staring riveted at two perfectly matched sandals sitting in someone’s driveway. My mind was occupied trying to figure out why the sandals were positioned just so. There was a story behind those sandals. There had to be. Or at least a photo opportunity.”
Man, can I relate to that (though thankfully it hasn’t happened in the car).
I have often, while out walking, gone onto autopilot with my legs and feet, while my eyes are captured by something I’ve seen… and have had to duck overhanging branches, embrace tree trunks that suddenly step into my path, and sidestep lamp posts, street signs, and open gates… all because my mind’s gone off somewhere else, wondering ‘what the story is’!
Ahh, but the world is such a fascinating place if you take the time to look and see, like you’re doing in your blog.
I love reading about it…
July 10, 2009 at 9:22 am
centria
Reggie, now you have me laughing. It is kind of funny when that happens. And I know exactly your experience of getting whacked by over-hanging branches when you’re thinking of something like…writing your blog. I guess those are “opportunities” to bring us back to the present moment, right?
I am so excited to hear you’re living in South Africa. That must be an amazing outdoor world to explore!
July 11, 2009 at 11:24 am
Reggie
Yes, it is! I think we take it for granted far too much. So I’m really impressed with the title of your blog and your decision to ‘get out there every single day’! I had a look to see when you started your blog – it seems you ‘officially’ began with this project on 21 December 2008 – so you’re over halfway through.
“Starting next Sunday, as the Solstice arrives, I will begin writing a daily blog complete with daily photo about what’s-outside-the-front-door. The blog will insist upon it. It won’t allow bedtime to come without fulfillment.”
What a lovely intention. I would LOVE to make that kind of commitment too, but am too apprehensive of not being able to DO it.
So good on you for getting this far!
July 10, 2009 at 4:41 pm
Gerry
I become, um, “entranced” on a regular basis myself, and have taken to giving myself severe lectures. I expect it might go better if I just reminded myself that I’ll miss the wonders right in front of me if I’m daydreaming about the ones that are only in my mind’s eye–but the effort to remember all that becomes a distraction in itself . . . Nap.
July 13, 2009 at 10:13 am
centria
So now you guys know why I was so darn busy last week. I was trying to get everything ready to go to Duluth while simultaneously working on two part-time jobs, running errands, etc. Shouldn’t whine though. I have a pretty easy life.
Reggie, thanks for the review of what I actually wrote that very first blog. It seemed such a huge almost impossible undertaking back then. And there were many days at the beginning where it seemed way too challenging. Then suddenly it all just became pretty easy. Except for certain days like deluged rainstorms or moodiness or way below freezing. Writing the blog daily has sometimes been the bigger challenge than going outside.
Gerry, it’s probably OK we become entranced at times. That’s probably where we get some of our creative spunk, doncha think?