As you say too much to do .. but one thing at a time .. don’t worry – a good trim will see the main brush of growth disappear in a trice .. and perhaps cajoling the kids to do a bit of weeding will help – one afternoon with everyone helping and the promise of a good cream tea, or cream cake afterwards .. or fireworks if it’s done by November?!

Glad you’re back and glad I’ve found your blog ..
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

The picture at the beginning was perfect, as if telling the reader that they were about to embark down that lush path, right there with you.

When you mentioned being transfixed as you washed dishes, I smiled. I too, stand at my kitchen window, looking at the birds outside in the trees. My kitchen window sits where most homes have a second floor, so I peek right into the tops of the trees. I don’t even mind that this new home doesn’t have a dishwasher because of the view I am afforded.

I loved this part: ” Depression loomed, heavy as a leaden sky, when I thought of all the autumn gardening jobs waiting to be done.” I get that way at autumn tasks too, so I can imagine how daunting the job seems coming out of a month of illness. Autumn gardening is so different from spring gardening. Spring gardening has purpose, has hope, and speaks of the newness to burst forth. Autumn gardening seems so much like cleaning up after the party is over.

And then you captured the essence of fall for me: “A gust of wind in the branches, and suddenly, I caught the scent of it all; moist, rich soil, a fresh green breeze, raindrops on leaves and the beautiful mossy breath of trees.” Although fall can never be spring, this sentence tells me that it doesn’t have t be, that we can delight in the beauty and richness of fall and appreciate it for what it is.

Your ending sentence was perfect: ” All I can do is try to spread the seeds of the moments that stun me into silent wonder and hope they grow.” You are planting some beautiful, yes even some EXQUISITE seeds for us, Janice. Through you, our thoughts and sense of wonder does grow. Although I sound like a broken record, I must say beautiful post, Janice, and stunning photos.

P.S. Could you please tell the site owner that I love the choice of lavender and mint green for “The Calm Space?” It is very calming.

I felt that I was in the garden right with you. You are so right, so much can be found in the little details that may get overlooked. That is how I choose to see happiness….it is in the details and usually nature is a great teacher.

Right in front of our place, there is a pond and there are always ducks or cranes or geese around. I often sit by the window and watch them. They just do what they have to do and none of them ever look worried or scared. We humans could learn a lot from nature.

By the way, I am having my first giveaway on my blog if you’re interested!

http://www.mooreminutes.com/2009/09/pleated-poppy-giveaway.html

@Evita,
How I love that gravatar when I see it on the blogs we visit. If its your own eye, there’s an amazing amount of soul there!

It’s so easy to get bogged down and stop appreciating the details; I’ve been guilty of that a lot recently, but oh the surge of pleasure I get when they leap out at me. Did you notice the fly on the laurel berries? I got right up close to take that photo, but never even noticed it. I uploaded the photo and still didn’t. It was only when I sent it over to Karen that I did. I’m not a fan of bugs, but even they’re all part of the picture. I get loads of birds in my garden because the bugs love my neglect.

@Hayden,
You’re such a sweetheart; you know “exquisite” is one of my favourite words! There are some words that explode in the mind with richness and sensations, and that’s one of them. Thank you! (Just so you know, it makes me think of baby’s breath and birdsong, black chocolate and red wine, intricate mosaics and stained glass, patchwork quilts and carved wood, the insides of seashells and vibrant watercolours of flowers…and a gazillion other things!)