The poem and artwork are attributed to Stephanie Laird
Here in California, it doesn’t look like Spring is tomorrow. It’s another drizzly day among weeks of dreariness.
But, during the one-half day of sun, the orange poppies unfurled to soak up the sunshine, and the daffodils pushed slender stalks through the coarse mulch to show off delicate petals.
A pair of white mourning doves visit the bare silk tree in the garden, bringing four baby grey-speckled fledglings. They know there’s water in the fountain and bird seed in the feeder.
They know they are safe from our two cats, who watch them inside the house atop their multi-tiered kitty condo.
A walk through the backyard garden finds another flower pushing through the damp, a blue spindle. Lupine must’ve blown into the yard from somewhere far away.
The scent of jasmine from a heavy bush bursting with star petals scent the yard and I’m reminded, through thick and thin, storms and dry seasons, that spring is coming.
I’ve been in the midst of digesting an editorial letter on a manuscript I sent in for editing. The information was a lot to process and there’s a ton of work in front of me. I’ve felt overwhelmed with the task of rewriting and revision.
Feeling overwhelmed happens to all of us. Sometimes it’s the kids, or bills, or relatives, or your job and sometimes it’s a combination of all of the above.
Whenever I feel my mind swamped, I need to step back, for my own sanity.
June is a good month to reinvigorate and revitalize.
Some people can’t take a costly vacation so Staycations are good ways to do something different as well as refresh yourself.
This month, I found a few ways to relax:
One Saturday was Global Wellness Day. The Bacara Resort and Spa in Santa Barbara offered free classes all day:
The Bacara Resort in Santa Barbara, CA
Meditation on the bluff, yoga, Tai Chi, and Brazilian Capoeira. Not that I did the Capoeira. A highlight of the day was also receiving a reduced price for the spa day pass to use the pool, sauna, jacuzzi, and serenity room filled with teas, fruit, nuts, and cushy sofas.
Meditation by the beach, Santa Barbara, CA
A walk on the beach helped me to further relax.
Matilija Poppies, Santa Barbara, CA
Another day, I used a Christmas gift coupon I hadn’t made time for. This is the Salt Caves in Santa Barbara.
Himalayan Salt Caves, Santa Barbara, CA
The caves are made from 45 tons of 250 million-year-old pure Himalayan salt. We took off our shoes, entered the darkened cave and reclined on comfortable chairs. Meditation music is piped in for forty-five minutes. The salt is said to stimulate wellness and healing. Blissful.
The next week, I retired to my backyard and took in the colors of the garden, the sounds of birds, smelled the roses and felt reflective. I jotted down a poem.
Reading in the Garden
Hover of beating wings flit between blossoms
Flutters of orange dance above purple sage
Bumblebees disappear into white throats of lilies
Gardens, never silent, ever hopeful
Butterfly Dance in the Garden.
Mariposa poppies
After these mini-retreats I feel uplifted and ready to tackle the edit letter and line edits. My mind is refreshed and I’m “ever hopeful.”
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