On this day – the day of International Peace – I want to share with you a peaceful afternoon from earlier in the week. I’ll not lecture about getting along, about peace among all men, I will simply show you my very precious late afternoon deck time.
The Cotoneaster bush has sprouted robins! How delightful, how fun to watch as they dart about on and under the bush, feasting on
the berries. Earlier in the summer, the robins like the berries on the ornamental strawberries that I planted in one fairly small area – which the birds have assisted in transplanting to wherever there was a bit of dirt available in the yard. In the beginning, I tried to keep the strawberry plants in their place, to confine their roaming. Futility. I now have decided to let them roam, to live with them in harmony, wherever it is they might spring up.
On the way down to take a picture of the berries, I found the Lily lolling about in the cool grass. Just stretching, enjoying herself.
And doing a bit of grooming. Lily loves the outdoors, and spends most of her day roaming, but I think she doesn’t venture far from our five acres. She often shows up when the big girls and I are outside to honor us with her company.
Returning to the deck, I noted that Shasta was not with me – she had followed me down, so I turned to see where she had gone. Hmmm. It appears that she likes the Cotoneaster berries too.
Not so for the Bailey girl – in her older years, she prefers to let the younger kids check things out while she rests. They will let her know if it requires her attention. Conservation of energy – that’s her theme.
Our peaceful time. The time that I look forward to each day, the time that soothes whatever might be chewing at me. I hope you have lots of times like this, peaceful times, time to just breathe deeply, relax and let life flow around you.
Wanderings of an Elusive Mind 
Yesterday afternoon Jim & I just sat outside our rig and enjoyed being here in the pines. Our days are numbered, so we are taking advantage of as many “peaceful times” as we can crowd in each day. Too soon we will be back to the busyness of our “regular” retired life.
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As September progresses from summer to fall, I am enjoying the change in the weather. Cooler temperatures are enough to make me feel a little more peaceful. My two sheepdogs seem to be more at peace with the change of seasons, too.
Thanks again for the camera help 🙂
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Like you, I’m so grateful for our animal companions. They add such a rich flavor to life.
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Love your peaceful place. Such beauty in the simplest things, even the lounging pups and kitty. I can’t believe how many beautiful robins you have. 🙂
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Never mind about coming North Carol. i will be there ASAP. Oh My gosh what a sanctuary you have. The birds must love that!
It was a lovely post my dear friend, thanks so much for sharing ~ BB
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My word, you have a most utterly marvelous garden! No wonder you find peace there. Love the robins and think “lolling Lily” is just to gorgeous for words. Love them all, in fact! 🙂
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I love my late afternoon deck time too – although the days are dwindling that I’ll be able to enjoy it. Thanks for sharing yours!
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I did not know about the International Day of Peace, Carol, before reading some of these posts. You did a great job illustrating it. I wish every day was a day of peace…maybe it is, but we add all those conflicting thoughts and they overwhelm the peace which exists just below them.
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Oh I do enjoy my walks around your garden, with you and your pets Carol. It is so peaceful every time, just as it should be. 🙂
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I can’t describe the feeling my garden gives to me but it certainly has to do with an inner peace and happiness – I just came in from planting fall tulips and my Cooper came up behind me, stuck his head between my legs and offered me his ball. How can one not laugh at that?
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