Yesterday morning I had been working on a project to the point where I needed to step away for a bit. It's deadline is in two weeks so I'm still within the timeframe but for some reason this particular job is stressing me out more than usual.
We had been cooped up in the house for too many days so I rifled through the wardrobe looking for outdoor gear. Got us suitably dressed, grabbed my other stuff we needed and got us out the door in record time - I needed a breather.
“A diamond is just a piece of coal that handled stress exceptionally well.”
Our little nature reserve down the road instantly gave my tense muscles permission to relax just a bit, my shoulders sank a little more with each step and within ten minutes I felt like I could breathe again.
LL ran ahead and I let her hide behind bushes to jump out as I approached shouting "Boo!". I laughed and chased her, her little high pitched squeals and giggles rang out and made many passing people smile. She chose which paths we took and delighted in greeting all the people and their doggies that were out walking too.
I let my mind get distracted looking at the winter flowers emerging - Crassula's, Eriocephalus, Senecios and Oxalis seemed to spread out around me everywhere in every direction. Don't ask me how I remember flower names when I can't remember what I ate for breakfast, priorities lol.
The whole area was humming with energy, life and colour. Birds were squawking in the lagoon and Painted Lady butterflies flitted around us. I bent down to take a flower photo and as I changed angles, found that little ladybird stone that had been secreted. Isn't she cute? LL and I aren't as fit as I would like us to be. Before we had even reached the half way point she was pleading for piggybacks. I decided that it was time for pizza instead of continuing the walk. Turning back towards the car we chatted about the textures of the bark on the massive gum trees; we collected feathers and the discarded bell shaped seedpods from the ground for her 'nature table' while she made up songs about soft grass and clouds. It wasn't a very long walk but it was exactly the break I needed to clear my head a bit and let LL just be a her wonderful silly self. Being out in the fresh air does wonders for focus and it was a technique I used to employ often to break up stressful days into more manageable chunks. I've had my head down the whole day today. They say a change is as good as a holiday, sometimes a change of scenery is too. Hoping that you also had a wonderful, sublime Sunday.
Ha! Weird, I was literally going to ask you the same question before I read those lines! I mean, th can a person instinctively identify a Eriocephalus! Lol.
Your daughter sounds very delightful. I must admit. Damn, the way you talk about her though, with such love, makes me envy you a little Iris :)
P.S: I'm gonna make that closing picture of yours a meme. Gets me everytime 😂
Hey Zeraton
Thanks for stopping by to read my post. Hahaha in conservation you need to know them and I memorized hundreds. I've lost many of them since and only the really common ones have stuck.
LL is such a well rounded person for her age. She has taught me so much, kids see the world so differently to adults, it's always refreshing when she reminds me to stop and smell the flowers.
Tee hee I'll be keen to see what you come up with meme with on that picture. Have an awesome day.
Amazing to discover that cute ladybug stone! Yes, nature is one of the best - and free healers - outt there and so is observing kids having fun :^)
Sending you a hug from rural Portugal!
Hello Vincent
The little ladybird was such a little treasure. I know that there is an initiative called Cape Town Rocks where people go and hide hand painted rocks in natural areas for people to find.
Absolutely agree, free therapy and medicine.
Hope you have a lovely day and thanks for the hug too 😊
I love these kind of 'feel good initiatives :<)
There's also a 'Hive Rocks' community on here ;<)
Have a great remainder of the day!
Sorry to break this too you but I don't think that is a REAL ladybug!!!
“A diamond is just a piece of coal that handled stress exceptionally well.” Love this quote! Sounds like you need more than an hours break but it is really wonderful and uplifting to view the world through the eyes of your child
Wait, what? She's not real?
Lol she's so cute, we brought her home even though we probably shouldn't have, LL became instantly attached.
Children have a cool concept of the world and everything is simpler don't you think?
Aw, the more you get out, the fitter you'll get. Gotta make time for the silly, and for the nature. I recall Jarrah hiding between thin trees and saying: 'can you see me?' as a joke, when obviously I could. I loved hanging out when he was little, they are SO much fun at that age! And yes their exuberance too. Loved reading this delightful play time with your lovely fizzy daughter.
Hello River
How are you today? Yes I need to get us out more for sure. Lol Jarrah sounds like he was a lot of fun as a kid. Lol hiding behind thin trees, I wouldn't be able to keep a straight face for long.
It's gonna be the blink of an eye and then she's going to be a tween so I'm appreciating this age while I can.
Have a great day River, your weekend post made it into The Scoop today 🌻
Hi @andrastia, I loved your #sublimesunday tagged post full of pictures and quality content. It has been upvoted and reblogged to show my appreciation. This #sublimesunday tag is supported and curated by witness c0ff33a