Beauty

I went for a walk earlier this evening/late afternoon – the first two are from just outside my garden wall –

I enjoyed my walk – I usually have to force myself to do this. My innate slothful tendencies are ever present. My younger son David who is visiting, and I went for a walk yesterday late afternoon. I said to him how I have to FORCE myself to walk sometimes. He said how it is that that which you least want to do is the very thing that must be done. That resistance to doing what needs to be done, is a very real something (most often unconscious), and can emphasise or bring to attention that which needs attention – and I have to ask myself what is my resistance and my avoidance really all about. The question of why I do not do what needs be done – reminds me of St. Paul’s letter to the Romans ..

This evening’s walk was also an attempt to keep up my daily walking average as recorded on my cell phone (an app on my phone my elder son showed me how to use when he was here recently, also visiting). I checked it when I thought I had done x amount of steps this evening, but I was still short, so I did some more walking and then walked around the complex where I live. It was now night-time. This yesterday today and tomorrow (Oxford & Cambridge) is on the other side close to my kitchen – there was a lamp in the garden shining on it so I took a photo, admired and sniffed its glorious scent.

Tonight’s moon is resting on her bottom in the night sky peeking and waxing between the branches of the jacaranda tree (soon to bloom) that leans over our garage –

We were in Plett last week  – I photographed this below picture of this very large log from many angles on my phone. I wonder where it came from? Washed up? Put there as a work of art? Land Art?

The below photo was while on a walk on the beach in Plett on a different day – it was rather mystical to see the mist pouring in …

I have a need on my side to put up a post now. The #WATWB post is due this coming Friday. We post on the last Friday of every month. I must go in search of a good news story in the next few days. But these photos I wanted to share in the meantime –

 

62 Comments on Beauty

  1. South Africa is so beautiful. Can’t wait until I have the opportunity to visit. I’m determined to get there someday.

    • That we do – always refreshing! Maybe with our own inner child as well to newly appreciate all that surrounds us – 🙂 Thank you for coming by!

  4. Beautiful photos, Susan, and an honest look at the part resistance plays in our lives Walking has been easy for me for many years. I walk out my back door to gentle trails that lead to the forest or branch off to take me downhill to the stream. Many years ago, Vic cut a trail from the lowest point on the land near the stream to the highest point on the hill. We used the trail 3 or 4 times a week, and I still use it at least that often, mixed with gentle walks with my camera. My dog encourages me, and I love having a joyful companion.

    Resistance shows up for me with food. I like to eat too much late at night, a craving that has come and gone in my life. It’s a small ordinary thing, but it makes me feel unloving toward myself when I keep eating when I’m already too full for comfort. It has a numbing effect which can be useful, but then comes the depression and discouragement. I’m saying no to that impulse because I vowed to do all I can to feel strong so I can live with the constant threat of vertigo and continued hearing loss. It’s an act of will every evening.

    • Thanks for your lovely comment Elaine and for your saying about resistance. I too like to munch something late at night – all horribly unconscious I’m afraid to say. It is only the next morning that I am very cross and disappointed in myself. I know from a psychological point of view why I do this … food is comforting, it stuffs down feelings and on it goes … I’ll try to think about utilising my WILL more consciously .. or rather the power of ‘no’.

      I read about your amazing ramblings in your beautiful part of the world, lovingly crafted and cared for by you and Vic. The camera and your dog are good companions. That’s our next aim is to find a dog … we’ve had in the past, and they are lovely companions.

  5. What lovely photos Susan, and good for you for walking despite the resistance. I’ve been thinking a lot about resistance lately myself, and made myself laugh imagining how wonderful it would be to simply have a button we could push whenever we met up with it that could project us into a different space.

    What a fabulous log – however it got there it is indeed a work of art. I “rescued” a root ball from a tree that had been cut down and dug up, and have kept it in my garden for years. It’s worn down with weathering and I’m utterly fascinated to see how it shifts and morphs, holding its essence and yet changing. So many lessons there.

    • I’m smiling Deborah! A button to push – exactly what I need! A MOVE button 🙂 🙂 I do not know what a root ball is … I imagine part of the tree that looked as if it was still alive and could be revived by replanting? And with love and care and fertiliser it took root? Indeed many life lessons there! Thank you so much for coming by!

  6. Dear Susan, Thank you for sharing your beautiful walks and inspiring creativity with us. On the theme of walking, I absolutely love it, yet have struggled to do so these past three months with my twice-broken ankle. Be that as it may, what I’ve recently learnt is that not being able to walk “above” holds its riches too as it has created in me a powerful desire to walk “below” … to go on another kind of “walkabout” and wander through the invisible cities of the Soul.

    Maybe like Elaine with her remarkable ability to hear “below” and not “above” your own stillness, at times, may not be as slothful as you think … perhaps you too are busy walking below! Oh how I treasure the wondrous moment I discovered I had not lost my ability to “walk” despite all “above” appearances. Blessings always, Deborah.

    • Thanks Deborah for coming by … I’ll message my sister (same name without the h) and suggest she re-look at this post and read your words. You may have seen her comment … she so seldom comes by but this time she did. She messed up her foot about two months ago and also loves walking – faster than I do – a battle to keep up with her. But for her to think about walking ‘below’ instead of above .. another kind of walkabout. I like that muchly! I remember when I bashed my toes and that put an end to walking or yoga or anything for several weeks – it FORCED me to slow down! (All this forcing going on – it’s enough already!) Blessings to you sweet and dear friend .. Susan

      • What a great idea! She may also enjoy my latest animus (Part Three in particular!) adventure. Hmm, “all this forcing” with the ego remaining ever clueless … that is, until we surrender and sit it out! Love and light to you.

  7. Lovely images, Susan. I know how hard it is to move an object at rest — me! But the rewards are worth it. Yesterday I logged almost five miles. Today, much less. But I have a true win-win situation. Strolling the baby is one of the best ways to entertain her/lull her to sleep. And the bonus is that I get exercise.

    One of our favorite places is a huge cemetery close to this busy street where the traffic dies down to nothing and deer and geese rule the roost.

    • I’m about to set off for a walk Shirley! No baby or dog, MAYBE my husband but I’m happy to walk on my own and give the ego a well deserved break! I had to smile at the ‘immovable object’ – I’d like to be such a one! Your environs sound so ideal – I like cemeteries – I once had my eye on a house at the sea overlooking a cemetery.

  9. I also struggle to get walking and steps in, Susan. My husband has a Fitbit and often walks around the garden in the evening to get his steps up. I have children’s homework and washing up to do so I just don’t worry about it [smile]. I love your gorgeous pictures.

    • Thanks for coming by Robbie! A woman’s job is never done … though in my case I reckon it’s bad time management. But the pleasure afterwards and sense of virtue of getting those steps in is worth the effort 🙂 plus letting my brain take a rest and just enjoy the sights and sounds …

  10. Susan, thanks for sharing your walks. Your question to your son is a good one. I motivate myself with two things when I walk: the good feeling at the end that I know will be there, perhaps after a bath or shower and a good cold drink. The other thing is hoping for something beautiful to see, smell, taste, touch, or hear. You have shared treasures here. Hope they are even more beautiful when you see their impact on others.

    • I’m just back from a walk with my son – thank HEAVENS he said he could do with one himself! It’s so true Shirley, that one (I) always feel better after a walk. Not so much the cool drink at the end of it on my side … but a bath later on at night and just soaking for a bit! David met Christina (I don’t know her African name) who was chatting to someone on the pavement … she’s a housekeeper at one of the houses. When I see her as I do occasionally we always stop and chat. She said she was so pleased to meet him ‘I can see he’s a nice man’ she said with the biggest smile. Thank you for coming by 🙂

  11. I enjoyed taking a walk with you and observing beauty of all sorts. One of my mottos: I cannot live without beauty.

    You mentioned having slothful tendencies. Maybe so, but maybe it’s inertia. As a writer, it’s hard to transition from one zone to another, but worth the effort. Thanks for another thoughtful post, Susan.

    • Hi Marian and thank you for coming by. I can’t imagine a world without beauty, it’s everywhere we look and often not visible as in a person’s heart and soul …

      Inertia – nice word, way better than slothfulness … a certain langour or lethargy – it’s there and I have take care to not let it take too deep a root … but maybe being a writer as you say doesn’t help the transitioning from one zone to the other. I’ll think some more on this – thank you for your empathy 🙂

  13. Someone did a study of how many steps people took all over the world, based on their phone information. That they can access that is scary enough, but their conclusions were so flawed

    • Thanks Beth so much. I read your comments on my timeline and responded. I plan to use my phone beneficially re number of steps taken, so that I have a baseline of minimum walking steps taken per day. It may be a fad for me for a bit … 🙂

  14. Nice! We have the yesterday today and tomorrow here too. It looks beautiful and has a delightful scent. Happy hunting for a good news story. I’m not sure if I’ll make it to #WATWB this month, but I’ll try. 🙂

  15. One thing done there’s always another. Can’t be helped. For me, the pressure has to accumulate, particularly with admin stuff. One task out of the way, I can feel proud, for a day 🙂 and take pleasure in just being.
    I wish I had a beach to walk on, barefoot.
    What an amazing driftwood root, if that’s what it is. One wonders about its journey.

    • Admin is my worst Ashen … but O the sense of accomplishment when it’s done and my desk is tidy and affairs in order! Am tackling it ‘just now’.

      I’m missing the beach and sea and mountains already – am thinking of making a road trip down, instead of flying, very soon – next week’s diary looks clear. It’s a long drive about 1200 km – but the idea has appeal –

      Thank you for coming by.

  16. Beautiful pics of your garden and the beach Sis. I can imagine the scents drifting from the gardens into your home. I’ve been putting off going to the nursery this morning to buy more bags of compost, some stepping blocks to put into the beds and more plants to plant later on – so here I am at the computer – I’m glad I came by your post.
    I miss walking daily – the injury to my ankle is holding me back, but the healing is happening.

    • I know how much you love walking Sis .. and especially with the dogs. This will happen but healing takes time … Patience is hard won. Thank you for coming by – 🙂 and happy planting and planning – I’ll see it all in early November!

  17. Hi susan, I am with you as far as wanting to walk and but have to FORCE self to do that which is needed for myself. I have not been walking for the last one week – only managing with yogic stretches:) glad to know you have an app to track…. loved your beautiful pics as usual the peeking and waxing moon amidst the branches are awesome and flowers look joyful… the last two pictures of the beach brings in calm and yes mystical too while observing closely..

    • Thanks for coming by Genevive! It’s a funny thing about how we (me) have to force ourselves to do certain things – this morning I was thinking about the value of self-care and how I often relegate this to the back door. This morning is a joyful bright warm one … Thank you for saying about your response to the pictures!

  18. Hi Susan – lovely flowers … the hibiscus, and I can almost smell the Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow … while the purple of the jacaranda – that glow they all give off. Sea washed art is incredible – and where has it been … lots of thoughts …

    Procrastination is such a nuisance! I should do more too – and I’ll remember David’s advice to you – to get up and go off … when we do it regularly it does become that habit – 21 days ahead!

    Spring approaching for you … Autumn mists and warmth here for us … it will change – cheers Hilary

    • Thanks for your lovely comment Hilary. All is bright and green and blue and white this bright morning. Jacarandas blooming, O&C a delight with their blue and white ..Is 21 the magic number when a ‘good’ habit becomes entrenched? That’s a goal …

      Enjoy your change of season – something so magical about it all .. Susan

  22. Thank you for inviting me to join you on a walk through your beautiful nature. I’d love to find a log like the one in Plett on my nearby beach. We once found drift wood all over our shores, and it’s all been gathered and made into home goods. Oh well.

    Lovely photos.

  23. So you forgot the punch line: How many steps? I hit 1.7 miles (4732 steps) with my son the other day and it almost killed me. Today was only .8 miles (1968 steps). I’m sure you went further. I’m a woose!

  24. Oh Susan, the water and nature calls my name and I can’t resist going out to praise God for providing such beautiful nature. I have always been addicted to walking along the waterfront, and now I do that in Poulsbo. My body cries when I don’t get my walk. In fact, in talking to my doctor today for my simple check-up, he recommended I find more activities away from the computer and home. So, now I have to see what mischief I can create.

    Heck, come to Washington State and walk the waterfront in Poulsbo with me. It is a wonderful opportunity to be social and get my exercise. I’m laughing. Maybe I should do it twice a day instead of once.

    The pictures you took of your garden and the beach are glorious. Looking at them is so relaxing! Lovely post!

    • Thanks for coming by dear Gwynn. I know you’ve always loved your waterfront walks, the dogs the gulls and people. When I’m out and about I find myself thanking God for everything-perhaps setting OFF with your attitude may be the way to go for me. Break the barrier –

  25. I love your photos. A jacaranda tree seems so exotic to me, and pics of the ocean make me long to be near one, if only for a few days. I’ve been working on my #WATWB today, too. Friday will be fun.

    • Thanks Ally Bean for coming by. The season can’t seem to make up its mind – it was chilly last night on my walk and some seriously cold spells down at the sea –

Comments are closed.