Let's face it, since I retired I'm really not into goal-setting, scheduling, achieving, etc. Especially during the summer, which is my vacation from childcare for the grandkids. But Monday, they come back to begin a new season, and I am not ready.
I've had two months to finish painting my office. I still have two doors to do after the dreaded painting fiasco, and they're not going to get done by Monday. I have boxes of papers and knickknacks that I brought home from my workplace last December. And other boxes of papers and knickknacks that have been packed up since the painting project and need sorting. I do NOT want to just throw all this stuff back where it was; I want to sort and toss and recycle.
But I keep being distracted. One, I get drawn to the computer to read blogs. And two, there's this garden just outside my window. It calls to me in many ways.
It seems to be a banner year for phlox, and I have four different varieties all blooming their heads off. They are sending out a powerful scent, almost overwhelming. It makes me want to, I dunno, dance or daydream or gaze out at the flowers. Anything but paperwork.
Second, for the last couple of weeks I've been visited by butterflies, especially monarchs and tiger swallowtails and the little white ones whose name I never remember. With the window open I often hear their wings flap before I even see them. Then I am compelled to watch, and to pick up a camera and see whether I can capture some photos that top the ones I've already taken.
There also seems to be increased bird activity all around us. Goldfinches have been coming to the black-eyed susans that have volunteered themselves from the back yard into this pink-and-purple spot outside my window. Other finches follow, and I hear cardinals and other birds just out of sight. I'm forever pressing my face against the screen and craning my neck trying to spot the source of a tsk or a call. But they elude me, and my camera. Just as well. I have paperwork to do.
13 comments:
Nature sure can draw our attention, can't it? The paperwork can wait. There are butterflies to watch and birds to listen to and that tops paperwork every time. Lovely photos.
The paperwork will always be there for you to sort and de-clutter and file away.
But those birds, those butterflies, those flowers. They're fleeting. Now is the moment to enjoy them. And you do know that so well because you are!
Dancing, daydreaming and gazing out at flowers and butterflies sounds like a wonderful way to spend your time.
What a nice post. Filled with gentle attention and lovely pictures. Thank you...
This morning I noticed the birds are back and singing. I really don't know that they were gone but this last month was so hot all you could hear were the crickets. It was a little cooler early this morning and thank god, I heard no crickets, but I did hear a wood pecker and some song birds. I didn't see them though. All you really see lately are the crows and hawks.
I'm looking forward to fall and the geese flying overhead here in Oklahoma.
My husband is on a retreat this week, so I've been the evening garden waterer. So much to see out there - bees, butterflies, little baby fruits, leaking hose nozzles. Love it!
So many grandparents tend their grandchildren. I don't know that I could do that. I still feel like I just got out of diapers even though it was 16 years ago. No desire to do it again. (And I don't have any grandchildren.)
I admire that you share yourself like this.
The paperwork can wait until winter. The butterflies and flowers won't. Enjoy them. The photos are wonderful. Thanks for being distracted.
Gardens are such a good place to be to feed your heart. Paperwork- well, I haven't looked at mine since I retired and it seemed very important at the time. I wondered how your grands could be involved in the remaining projects? Kids are such great helpers and can learn such amazing skills. But you, high on birds, butterflies and flowers, now that's a gift for the grands!
Hey Nancy! Lovely photos, as ever. I adore butterflies, and those look beautiful! Indigo
I keep my two grandsons also and your grandchildren will never notice your unpainted doors especially when you decorate them with their art work! And then fill in the shelves with framed butterfly/garden pictures because boxes can wait for cold, snowy weekends! So until then, hide the boxes!
I think I could have written this post. It's exactly the way I feel. Life is short. Commune with Mother Nature all you can for sure. And the butterflies have been wonderful. The most ever. :)
Lovely pictures! :)
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