Today is Mother's Day. My mother is no longer with us so I felt a little melancholy this morning. We have had a lot of rain lately, but there is the promise of sunshine today. I was thinking about how beautiful the low lying fog in the mountains has been and remembered I had not downloaded a few pictures I took last week. The irises have faded quickly, but they were so pretty.
A smile crept across my face when I saw the photos of the fog. And that awesome tree.
I had a wonderful breakfast and enjoyed CBS Sunday Morning. The day was still quite young so I looked for a feel good thing to do. Something that would keep me in a happy place. Some weeks ago I purchased a couple of adult coloring books. I looked at the two coloring projects I had tried (the paper is white; don't know why it looks blue in these photos).
Still smiling, I chose my project for the day. The sky had cleared, the temperature was perfect and a soft breeze was all I needed to decide to take my project outside.
The Good Kitty decided to lay down on my project, but soon joined Bad Kitty in the chair they have adopted on the porch. With them settled, I quickly became engrossed in coloring with colored pencils.
The kitties belong to the people next door, but seem to spend most of their time on our porch. I am a dog lover and tolerate cats, but they do make me smile. I mean, seriously, look at that this kitty. They are constant reminders of how wonderful it is to be relaxed, so stress free.
I feed the birds. They make me smile. But the kitties have killed 4 birds lately. I use the plural because I don't know if Good Kitty or Bad Kitty is responsible. Lost in my project, I did look around occasionally to make sure the kitties remained in their slumber-state-of-mind. I knew some of the regulars were visiting the feeders. I relaxed and smiled at their beautiful and serene familiarity.
I have been putting out thistle for weeks in hopes of attracting yellow finches. Today they came! Happy, happy day.
I am always making sure Dolly is within site. Hounds like to roam and sometimes she gets loose from her 75 foot tether. Tracing that long tether, I found her against the wall of the front porch lying in the bed I weeded yesterday. She loves the mulch. Her happiness and calmness makes me feel content.
After a few hours, my project was finished. Melancholy stayed away and was completely replaced with contentment and serenity. I could not have asked for a better day. I even saw a butterfly today that seemed to be checking me out several times. Is that you, Mom? Happy Mother's Day.
I now realize why my mother could not watch the evening news anymore...or the morning news. What she saw troubled her. It shook her. She couldn't watch it anymore. I often feel that way. That is why owning a car is important. You need to be able to drive to something that feels good. My mom never owned a car. The only driving she did was a few times in that big old station wagon when Daddy would let her practice in the huge field down at the river bottom (many of you reading this will know what I am talking about). I was a small child and years away from driving, but it was clear from the backseat that my Mom would never get the hang of driving It troubled her just as the news would years later. Luckily I did learn to drive and I do own a car. When the news troubles me, I can drive to and through something that feels good like our back roads.
What Color Is Spring featured landscapes while this blog features other things I saw during my Spring back roads drives. These drives ease my troubled mind. Hop in. Take a drive with me. I hope this blog makes you feel good.
I always enjoy seeing barn quilts. That reminds me, I need to take a drive up to Highland County. A barn quilting tour would be fun. Gail? Donna?
Honey, turn the car around....
Some houses really peak my curiosity because you can't tell if anyone lives there or not. This house looked uninhabited while passing by, but when I download the picture I noticed a curtained window. Now I don't know what to think.
A foundation is really important and should stand the test of time.
You can't beat a country church.
Some things are reminders that life happens. I always feel a pang of concern that for the people involved.
I was grateful and comforted by the next thing I saw. This calms me.
You are likely to see a lot of yard art out in the country made from things once useful. Close your eyes. You might feel a hot summer breeze on your face, the sun on your back and the rocking motion of riding this old equipment.
Some things have to age before they become art. Some still useful, some waiting to be made useful again. They all have a history and stories to tell.
There are no leash laws in the country so it makes sense to me that you might need signs like this to post at the edge of your property. It made my car slow down! I could not help but imagine all the old dogs no longer among us gathering at the edge of this yard. Like Sam, a wonderful Golden that I used to dog sit with in her home. I loved her. She always made me feel good.
There are so many unexpected things to see on country roads, but nothing beats Mother Nature...
The next time you find yourself on a country road, slow down and look around. Don't hesitate to turn the car around for a second look. You might see something that will make you smile.
And take your camera.
