The right way
At the center of my picture stands Jeff, surrounded by forces of nature beyond our control.
But I must admit, even the kudzu is beautiful. September 2014
“If you look the right way, you can see that the whole world is a garden.”
― Frances Hodgson Burnett
Recently on an early evening walk, I was basking in the new cool of September, and as I approached our Alexandria townhome I looked over the expanse behind it and felt almost as if I was seeing it for the first time. It’s a lovely view, and I’ve walked past it dozens (really maybe hundreds) of times, but something about the sublime weather combined with the verdant landscape to engage my full attention.
For perhaps the first time, I realized that I could barely see our own deck in the distance. I ran home for my camera, and convinced Jeff to step outside on the deck for a photo while I ran back outside to take the shot, as the last of the daylight faded rapidly. Jeff humored me, even waving as I snapped away. I wasn’t the only one enjoying the beautiful evening, because looking at the photos, I can see our neighbor on her deck, right behind Jeff.
Inexpensive cameras have great telephoto lenses nowadays!
This was taken from the same spot, a few seconds after I took the first one.
Life really is a garden, isn’t it? We all have to work the soil with no guarantees of what will spring up and thrive. Sometimes we are deluged with weeds. Sometimes the expensive perennial we bought gets choked out by the more invasive and less charming ground covers. But I love digging in the garden, trying new things and always hoping for favorable rains and sunshine to produce dazzling colors.
The whole world is open to us, available for our admiration and enjoyment. When things seem bleak, remember to look the right way and see the garden. It may not look like much right now, but just wait until the spring and summer are here!
One year ago today:
- Posted in: Uncategorized
- Tagged: beauty, close up, colors, distance, flowers, gardens, gratitude, joys, landscape, life, mindfulness, nature, perspective, sorrows, surroundings
Defeat Despair 
Good morning, Julia. Beautiful photo of your garden and Jeff. I like your choice of quote…
“…the whole world is a garden.” 🙂
Thank you Merry!
Kudzu is the evil weed migrating from Japan to the states. It’s everywhere in South Carolina. Invasive species can be really hard to stamp out, overpowering local plants and trees. Every state has its predatory plants and we must work hard to eradicate them.
It really is amazing how fast it took over the south. It’s everywhere. Here’s one story on it, which claims that Southern farmers in the 30’s and 40’s were paid eight dollars an hour (a lot of money then) to sow it into the topsoil: http://porterbriggs.com/the-vine-that-ate-the-south/ My question is: paid by whom? Was this another brilliant government program?
Good morning, my friend, and hopefully a better day (thinking of your comment yesterday). You often comment not only about Jeff’s strength and determination, but also about his good naturedness. I can “picture” you hustling to get your camera and subject, knowing the setting sun wasn’t waiting on you. I’ll bet those vines are beautiful in winter covered in snow! 🙂
Hi Sheila! Yes, Jeff is a pretty good sport about all my interests that are not quite as fascinating to him. I will have to make it a point to photograph that same view next time it snows, assuming we get any snow this year (as if NOT getting any is even a possibility). I bet it is pretty in the snow, but I don’t remember ever looking at it from that angle since I spend most snowy days indoors, admiring it with a hot cup of tea in hand!
Beautiful photos Julia, and what a wonderful way of admiring nature, man made or not. :o)
Thank you, Patricia. The camera helps me see things my eyes miss without it.
Geat, Julia!
-Alan
Thank you, Alan!