Illumination

Evening Sun riding low in the sky rounds the corner of the building and abruptly streams into my room where seconds ago it was almost twilight. I am dazzled by the light and then by the realization that it is the rotation of this, our planet Earth, that caused this sudden illumination where moments before there was none.

"Every day is my best day; this is my life. I’m not going to have this moment again." - Bernie Siegel

Changing my Viewpoint

Another room, another window, another view. There is nothing but green as far as my eye can see - layer upon layer of green, rich with texture and changing hue. Not wanting to disturb the scene, a green woodpecker lands and eyes me warily as I adjust to my new lair.

"Pleasure is spread through the earth In stray gifts to be claimed by whoever shall find." - William Wordsworth

Sunlight and Butterflies

Dancing shadows play across the wall, sunlight glints on everything shiny. There are pools of light in dark corners. Outside, white butterflies flutter like floating flowers. Pinned like delicate brooches to the Buddleia blooms they collect the nectar that is their life. The thought crosses my mind, am I collecting nectar, or am I still fluttering around the bush looking for somewhere safe to land?

"Too often we visit the well of divine abundance with a teacup instead of a bucket".- Elinor MacDonald

Sheets of Water

From my window I can see the rain. Sheets of water flung from the grey, grey sky. The arching buddleia blooms, vacant of butterflies in this deluge, drip, as they bow to the weight of the downpour. New metal bird feeding station, stands Black and stoic, the only visitor a cautious Dove with liquid eyes.

"Everything that happens happens as it should, and if you observe carefully, you will find this to be so." - Marcus Aurelius

Pulling Back The Curtains

I have pulled back the curtains covering my window. My dawning realisation, that as well as stopping others seeing in, they were stopping me seeing out. White lacey froth now clipped up in flounces, no longer a screen but a frame for the view. I can see the flowers, the vast sky and the deep green leaves moving in the gentle breeze. The pay off for privacy was far too great.

"All the windows of my heart I open to the day"- John Greenleaf Whittier

With My Blessing

July brings extra blankets - stifling heat. Slow motion days with heavy air and ripe gooseberries. The blackbird feasts on redcurrants, golden beak devouring the shiny red jewels. He clears the bush in days, he can have them this year with my blessing, there is plenty for us all.

"I value my garden more for being full of blackbirds than of cherries, and very frankly give them fruit for their songs. "- Joseph Addison