Saturday morning: While I'm waxing poetic about my lovely, peaceful and small life, I haven't forgotten the important things. If you get a chance, give this a listen. It's a new video for one of my favorite songs ~ done very well!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOWrqR_QFfg
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Today, I spent a lot of time in the garden. The next few days will bring an opportunity to do even more trimming and planting. The crepe myrtle is blooming early this year and it's really beautiful! The tree in the back yard will do its job this summer by shading the window into the sun room. That is one of the greatest weaknesses in this house. It gets really hot in
the back, so we planted two crepe myrtle trees a few years ago.
The roses in the front are also starting to climb along the side of the hou
se. Yes, that is a particular breed of rose.
This is how many of my weekends pass, quietly, involved with nature and nurturing these little plant beings that bring V, D, M and me so much pleasure. It's amazing sometimes how seeing a blooming rose can bring everything into perspective.
And then, of course, there are the ever present books. At times, I wish V and D liked to read. It would be nice to share books with them and compare notes after reading. But they prefer movies and TV.
This is my current stack of books, certain to keep me busy for the next few weeks. There never seems to be enough time or energy to read all the books I'd like to read.
So, yes, my life is a small one. It isn't filled with activity and social interaction. My phone doesn't ring every ten minutes with someone requesting the pleasure of my company. I can't regale anyone with stories of my oh, so, busy and peopled life.
But I can certain
ly share the pleasure of a blooming rose .. or a good book. I can share how it feels to step out in the morning and see a back yard that is filled with some of the most beautiful greenery I've ever been able to create in one place. I can tell you what it feels like to do yoga on the patch of lawn that is surrounded by morning glories.
And I can tell you how I never, ever, believed I would experience that kind of peace or know that kind of contentment when I believed I had to be "more than" I am.
Thanks so much to those of you who came around to let me know that while my life is small, filled with these things so often perceived as insignificant, it is okay to talk about it.. and okay to live it without the shame. It is what I have to offer ~ and I offer it with an open heart and palms together... to all of you.
Peace,
~Chani
Friday, June 29, 2007
Smallish things...
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20 comments:
I love your world and the way you offer it, with your open heart and your beautiful spirit.
I loved that Amy Tan Saving Fish From Drowning book. I might have to drag that out for another read. I'm in the middle of Jane Fonda's My Life So Far and I think you should read that one, too. ;)
TV and movies can be great too, as long as it's not the be-all and end-all. I'm up to episode 3 of season 6 of the West Wing and very grateful such excellent television was created. It has taught me a lot about American Politics and that's saying plenty for someone in Australia, I think.
This would be a fantastic weekend for me -- books, a garden of beautiful flowers, and no interruptions.
Truly.
Like me, you're just a cat in a dog's world. I just posted something to that effect, and I think maybe it fits you too -- at least partly.
My life is also filled with....not much. And i am happier than i have ever been.
Thank you for sharing this window of smallish bliss. I too find a peace in the garden. I wish I had time for the stack of books.
I have missed some days in the blogging world, and on your blog that means a lot. You have had much to say while I have been recovering from a scare. All thought provoking, as usual.
A world of flowers and books sounds like heaven...and me on my porch.
I love your garden, I love Amy Tan and I love the way you write and for simply being you..
Thank you for allowing to see your world and to see the world through your eyes.
Have a good weekend, be safe!
M? You had V & D, now you got M? Where did M come from? Vey iz mir!
Chani, I have to say that what you describe: quiet, lush gardens, and time for just myself to read, do yoga, etc sounds so ideal.
I love tending the garden that rests in my children, but I long for the days when I can move at my own pace. Without social obligations and family obligations.
I think, and I feel bad about not commenting your way the past day or so, that it sounds like you have the life that suits you. And that is a success to accomplish that. So many people run the race looking for it and never, ever find it.
And what you have to offer is very significant. I think I speak for many of us who comment here when I say that your heart and mind is a bright edition to their day.
And I find myself often thinking of you.
For example, when listening to the iPod (which was on shuffle) when cleaning my bedroom Shakira's "Hips Don't Lie" came on.
I instantly thought of you.
And wished that I could look at you, you look at me and have a fit of giggles and laughter and hip-shaking fever :)
That thought is something.
I think
I'd go stark raving nutters if my phone rang every ten minutes.
That garden is lovely. Oh I'd sit and read every nice day there if I could.
I'm happy to hear about it and live vicariously. :)
I'd love a hydrangea...
Flutter, thanks. :) It's good to feel that way again. When I hit a pothole, it seems to be a pretty deep one.
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Snos, Jane Fonda is on the list. I knew she'd written a new book and was looking forward to the time when it would be cheaper. That's true now. It can be found for a reasonable price.
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SM, it is very nice. I know I'm out of balance in the respect that I should have some interaction. I've gotten lazy because V. and D. are always here so I don't have to seek it out.
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Anvil, meow :)
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Meno, 99.9% of the time, I seem to be plenty satisfied with the way things are.
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CM, the books are great! There's something about a book...
I wish you had the time for it, too.
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Pam, I'm glad the word "recovering" is in that sentence. :) I'd wondered where you'd gone.
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Mitzh, thank you. There will be a post on this upcoming. I think I have a handle on this now.
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Cecilieaux, M. is D's other son. He is around here quite a bit, too. Just recently, he actually commented about the garden. Rather begrudgingly, he admitted that it's "pretty". LOL
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Tabba, I love tending the garden that rests in my children .. Love that line! :) It's almost Rumi-esque :)
I can see what you're saying. Unfortunately, I got caught up in thinking that I somehow had to be like 30-something mothers who are raising children.. and, you know, it can't be. It simply can't! I was never a 30-something mother. I don't understand the issues, have no life experience in that area... so I will have to simply continue offering what I can in the only way I know how. Somehow, I've come to peace with that. It's the best I can do.
That Shakira song is such good exercise! My fat old ass gets a good workout. LOL
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Julie, it is nice.. in so many ways. I am a bit young to be quite so sedate.. but it works for me in the overall sense.
If my phone rang every ten minutes, I'd disconnect the freaking thing! LOL
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Peace,
~Chani
Your garden looks so peaceful and serene.
That garden and those books and I think I would be in my own little piece of heaven.
Your garden is beautiful, and just as I'd have imagine it.
Hi Chani,
I enjoyed the music because it has great meaning.
You have your glorious garden and this is the first time I've seen it. It's your paradise!
No one rings my phone every ten minutes wanting the pleasure of my company. I live a small life, too. You are not alone. The smallest pleasures are more meaningful...nature, books (I wish I had time to read books).
Cheers to you!
it sounds divine. it sounds like you live in the moment and appreciate the present. and that sounds like a gift that many of us want to have.
Roz, some things are just meant to be a taste of heaven on this earth. :)
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Mary, I wish you had time, too. I'm firmly in the "When I have money, I buy books. If there's anything left over for food, that's good, too" mindset when it comes to them.
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Jen, I do my best. What else do we have?
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Peace,
~Ch
CHani - what a beautiful retreat you have. It is lovely, and obviously brings you much joy.
Gorgeous flowers- what a peaceful, lovely environment. Very befitting.
I am always rushing my kids someplace or another. A few weeks ago, my son, who is almost 3, stopped his scooter because he wanted to smell a rose. Put things into perspective...
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