Peaceful Visions

I read somewhere that some people find it calming to think of place and time where they felt safe, secure and at peace.  I am hopeful that everyone has some memory or experience that can help them remember these feelings.  Failing that, I can hope that those who have tumultuous lives can use their imagination effectively and create that place and time for themselves.

It shouldn't be a surprise that I often visualize scenes in the natural world even though I am fully aware that nature is not always gentle - as recent storms remind us.  Still, I dug out some pictures and thought I would share in hope that others might find something good in either the images or the words. 

Snow Muffler

The camera comes out in the winter months nearly every time we have a hoarfrost or rhyme ice.  This is especially true if we have also just had a recent snow.  

One such event happened several years ago.  We had a snow that covered things with a six-inch deep blanket of soft flakes.  There was no wind and the night brought about the hoarfrost.  The next morning was gray, with leaden, heavy skies.  No wind stirred the new snow and the hoarfrost clung to every surface it could find.

It was cold, but I really didn't feel it.  The sound of my footsteps were muffled - yet they were the loudest thing my ears detected.  It was almost as if all of nature was holding its breath.

Perhaps it was stunned to see how good it looked in this new garment.

Close Up

Bleeding Hearts were probably one of my first introductions to a perennial flower.  A very large, nice example resided on the north side of our house in Newton, Iowa.  

These plants can be very attractive plants for a good part of the season if they are placed in the right location.  When they bloom, they can certainly add a nice splash of early color to the landscape.  But, you are missing something if you don't take a moment to get up close and personal when they are in bloom.

Sometimes, I would go sit next to the plant and just observe the shape and texture of the flowers.  Each flower was incredibly soft, yet quite sturdy.  The fine details of each bloom were captivating - encouraging my mind to be at peace with the world.  If my Mom ever wondered where I went sometimes, now she knows.

Wonder

I am not sure a picture of a kitten is entirely peaceful.  And, yet, this picture of Bree as a kitten reminds me both of how small she was then and how much wonder there is in the world.  There is so much in this world to see and explore... even in your own home.  Sometimes it takes the exploration of the young to remind us how to find things that ignite curiosity and wonder.

Bree is an older cat now and is less prone to the foibles of a kitten.  Yet she can still be persuaded to imagine that the hand under the blanket is a mysterious and wondrous occurrence.  If she can be persuaded, then so can I.

Washing Away Worry

Tammy and I are both attracted to waterfalls.  Obviously, the natural beauty is part of what leads us to find and observe them.  

Waterfalls are made of constant motion and sound.  But, the consistency of that motion and sound becomes soothing if you take the time to allow it to work its magic.  Sometimes, I can imagine that water cleaning out the rubbish left by worries in my mind and crushing it at the base of the falls.  The remains are then carried downstream - banished for a time from my memories.

The Value of an Individual

I am sure anyone who knows me will not be surprised to see yet another flower here.  In this case, it is a columbine.  The flowers for these plants are wonderfully complex in their form, holding two different sets of petals that have surprisingly different shapes.  Columbines are covered by a solid flush of blooms for about ten days on our farm.  Then, they rapidly fade.

I am reminded of the beauty of the community of flowers on each plant at peak bloom, but I am also reminded of the beauty of each individual flower when I allow myself to enjoy them.

And those are some of the peaceful visions that came to me as I selected these pictures.  I hope one or more of these also speak to you.  And, if they don't, it is my wish that you are able to find your own image, your own music, and your own story that works for you.

Thank you for visiting the blog.  Have a good remainder of your day.