Attending last weekend’s reunion was a lot of fun, but this Friday I’m very grateful to end the week with a nice quiet date night.
Pizza and a movie with Ramesha — oh yeah!
Back to date night
A real vacation day
It was just the two of us today, so we took a little excursion on our own to Vico Morcote and Morcote.
These villages are only about thirty minutes from Lugano, but it felt like we were a world away in a magically quiet and peaceful place.
I’ll get my photos organized to share soon. In the meantime, suffice it to say that we both were able to really and truly relax there.
Quiet as a feather
I didn’t know what to write tonight, but then I happened upon this poem by Mary Oliver (thanks, Lisa!). It hit me like a ton of bricks.
Oh, how I crave this kind of “quiet as a feather” day off. One of these days…
TODAY
Today I’m flying low and I’m
not saying a word.
I’m letting all the voodoos of ambition sleep.
The world goes on as it must,
the bees in the garden rumbling a little,
the fish leaping, the gnats getting eaten.
And so forth.
But I’m taking the day off.
Quiet as a feather.
I hardly move though really I’m traveling
a terrific distance.
Stillness. One of the doors
into the temple.
― Mary Oliver
Light and easy
Here’s to feeling light and easy while enjoying a quiet, laid back evening.
A nice way to end an intense week…especially with a full weekend ahead, which will be followed by another big week.
It’s definitely that time of year!
Holding on to the peace
My seclusion has ended and I’m back in the flow of life’s busyness.
But I spent a good portion of a week in silence, by myself, meditating, seeing beauty around me on my walks, enjoying every quiet moment…and I’m going to do my best to carry that peace into my daily life.
For tonight, I’m just really grateful.
Enjoying the golden hour
It’s been a while since I sat outside and simply enjoyed the quiet.
Even better: this evening I also enjoyed the dinner time view — it went really well with pizza!
Doing nothing and loving it
Yesterday truly did me in.
But of course, I had to once again get up early and make it through a morning of singing for Sunday service. It was beautiful and inspiring, as usual, but it took some real work to keep my energy up.
But then…?
…aahhhh. Nothing. Niente. Nada.
Ramesha went off to the Buttes with a friend and I pretty much crashed…but in the nicest, most quiet and subtle way possible.
I read a silly novel. I napped a little. I caught up on a few emails (but nothing demanding). And read some more while drinking a cup of herbal tea.
I eventually worked up to folding laundry and doing dishes.
I didn’t go anywhere or talk to anyone. And it was just what I needed.
My latest fantasy
Lately I’ve been fantasizing about holing up for (at least) two to four days in a quiet, peaceful spot (near the ocean would be absolutely ideal) and reading books.
That used to be one of my favorite things to do as a child, as a teenager, and as a young adult. In fact, I can recall days when I would do nothing but read. It was very relaxing for me.
Now I sneak it in by reading while I’m doing something else. But it’s not the same. Not at all.
Sunday sunshine
I spent a good portion of this Sunday afternoon basking in the sunshine and the quiet.
It was so peaceful that I decided to take a short video to capture the stillness of the scene.
Only one problem — I was evidently so relaxed that I forgot to switch from photo to video mode! Hopefully some of the peace and quiet will come through the photo.
Evening light
I’ve always loved the beautiful view from our apartment, but there’s nothing like being away for a couple of months to raise my appreciation to a whole other level!
I sat in the last rays of the sun early this evening and marveled at the light and the quiet as the day drew to an end.
Moments of magic for which I am deeply grateful.