Search This Blog

Thursday, April 19, 2012

THE ENCHANTED LIFE

Hello everyone!   Thank you so much to all that left or e-mailed get-well wishes.  Mere words cannot express how much it meant to me.   Well, for the most part I'm all better now, although my legs are still as shaky as a fawn, newly born.  Doesn't take much for a body to fall into disrepair does it?  Must say I was very economical in both time and money with being sick.  One little vial of pills costing less than five dollars cured three different illnesses in one week.  You know, I'm a foolish old woman, stubbornly holding onto the belief that if I can just ignore being sick it will go away.   Wasted five days of life, just lying  about alternating between chills and fever, expecting to get better.  It wasn't until Ran threatened to hog-tie me and drag me to the doctor that I agreed to go.  Once I got one of those little miracles called anti-biotics into my system it wasn't long until I felt better.  So if you are like me, and would rather be on a forced march to Burma than go to the doctors, I hope my little confession here helps you to see that doctors can be helpful.  Sometimes you have to humble yourself and ask for help.  And that's not just help from doctors either! If you catch my drift here, whilst I'm trying not to sound too preachy.

Anyhow, I am finally able to get outside and walk about a bit.   The apple orchard is in all of it's glory at the moment.  There's something so calming about an old orchard with bent and lichen-spotted trees.  A connection to the past.  Always reminds me of this quote:

We plant trees not for ourselves, but for future generations.
-- Caecilius Statius

Martin Luther said if he knew he had only one day left to live he would plant a tree.  Makes  my answer about eating cake seem pretty shallow!  But then, I could never hope to be as virtuous as Mr. Luther.

 While I was on my walk-about, a flock (?) of Monarch butterflies flew up as I passed.  They were feasting on the ground ivy which is blossoming at the moment.   I hesitated to write this, as it really does sound like something out of fairy tale.  Who has butterflies rising up to greet them?  Or deer sunbathing in their front yards?   Or snow geese flying overhead, daily?   Or a nesting robin tame enough to feed strawberries? Perhaps you think the next thing I will tell you is that little bluebirds help me dress each morning?  But the truth of the matter is anyone can live an enchanted life.   It's just a matter of really taking the time to notice the little things.  Something anyone can do anywhere.  For instance,  these long-legged tulips that grow on the side of my house are some old variety that have been blooming for many decades.  Because they are so long stemmed, the slightest  breeze will cause them to sway.  Every time  I pull into the driveway, it makes me smile because they look like they are waving "hello" to me.  How many people pass them without even noticing them?    While I was  abed, the moon was shining in my window.  It was so close, so large, so bright, that it seemed like it was near enough to touch if I were to reach through the window.  The enchanted life is out there like that big ole pumpkin moon.  We just need to reach out and grasp it!  Keep that child-like sense of wonderment even if we have very un-child-like burdens in life. 

26 comments:

  1. Hi Jane, I'm glad you are feeling better. I am also on the mend from some nasty flu like virus that left me all wibbly and weak. I find the outside world very healing and have been gently planting in my garden this week. I totally agree about leading an enchanted life. If we look at life through the eyes of a child we can't go far wrong. I try and take a lead from Little Son on this - how come children seem so much wiser than us? Hope you continue to feel better. Lily. xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Lily! Glad to hear you are the mend also! I just came in from planting a few primroses (Thanks for prompting me, Maria!) and being so close to all the beauty of the garden really is restorative. Yes, we often talk of the wisdom that comes from old age, but sometimes it is those innocent little children that have the most wisdom before life and the world jades them.

      Delete
  2. Dear Jane ~ It is good to hear that you are feeling much better. I've been reading about quite a few who have been struck with an awful flu lately. I do hope you will be feeling more normal and stronger with each new day.

    We let the trials and tribulations overwhelm us at times, even the daily grind can keep us from seeing the beauty and joy in each day. I'm reading a great book from the library called 'The Contented Soul'. A very good read.

    Love and hugs to you ~ FlowerLady

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Rainey! Much better, thanks! I love the title of that book. There is so much joy out there, even if the news is telling us otherwise. I know you live an enchanted life in your dear little secret garden!

      Delete
  3. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Dear Jane,

    I can just see you in your cloud of butterflies! Perfect for such an enchanted lady. :) I am so glad that you are better; the getting better seems to take much longer than the getting sick sometimes!

    Love,

    Marqueta

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It does indeed, Marqueta! And I'm sorry to say I'm not the most patient person when it comes to recuperating. I tell you, this ground ivy is magical! It really attracts the bees and butterflies.

      Delete
  5. Jane, so glad you are feeling better- you have been missed! One of my favorite quotes is from Einstein: "There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." I choose a miracle- who am I to argue with Einstein? Angela

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Isn't that a wonderful quote, Angela? I wouldn't argue with Einstein either!

      Delete
  6. Glad you are on the mend! I too can be quite stubborn about going to the doctor, and have to give in every once in awhile, and am usually glad that I do :) Your apple orchard is so beautiful as well as your tulips. Seeing a group of Monarchs would be amazing, we had them here all the time growing up flitting about all over the garden, now it is rare if I see one or two a year, luckily we still see beautiful swallowtails though. I love your sentiment about noticing all the beautiful little miracles all around, great way to live! Your garden sounds like such a beautiful place!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We usually have a dozen or so flitting about, April. But this is the first time I saw so many enmasse. Must have been on their migration flight path. It will be a memory to treasure forever.

      Delete
  7. How wonderful that you are feeling so much better Jane! When we disregard the blessing of modern medicine, sometimes we put ourselves at risk more than help ourselves. But I think it is because we think we can do it alone. Sometimes, herbs and rest do work...but then there are those times when they don't and we need the help send by Him, to get better.

    Thank you for your encouragement every time you stop by the cottage. It is always such a joy to see you :)

    m.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Maria! I'm pretty stubborn about going to the doctor because I see so many of my "past the half-century mark" friends always running to the doctors and seldom feeling well. I'm sure in time, I would have gotten better on my own, but it would have taken a long time. So much better to avail myself to the miracle of modern science. I have absolutely no patience for being sick. I enjoy reading about your journey in life. Your candor is remarkable. Personally, I see a lot of my own struggles in what you write.

      Delete
  8. I like your tulips! They are wonderful. And i like your style of writing!

    A little bit from your blog in Dutch:

    Terwijl ik in bed, werd de maan schijnt in mijn raam. Het was zo dichtbij, zo groot, zo helder, dat het leek alsof het was in de buurt genoeg om aan te raken als ik te bereiken door het raam.

    So beautiful ... about the moon! Thank you. I like it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It sounds much more romantic in Dutch, Jedidja! We have several friends that speak Dutch and it is a language that always fascinates me. German and French also. Of course those are all the languages of my forefathers so perhaps that is why. The moon has been especially beautiful this month, even the little crescents. And it's at such an angle that it truly does look like it is sitting on my window ledge. I'm really enjoying its companionship!

      Delete
  9. Hi Jane! I'm so sorry you were ill...but happy you feel better now! You must've really had a nasty germ...Thank God for antibiotics. I'm like you though....I won't go to the dr. My husband has used the threat that if I don't go, he will put on my gravestone "I told her to go to the dr.!" I guess that your husband did God's work to get you to go to the dr.

    Your yard sounds so beautiful at this time! You are lucky and wise to choose your home! I yearn for that constantly. (being out in the country more...but I do thank God for yards...and birds who grace every yard!)
    That is enchanting about the monarch butterflies!

    If I had one more day to live, right today, I would sit in my yard and stare at nature and listen to the birds. But, if it were winter, and nature was asleep...hmm....I guess I would sit in church! ha. Who knows what I would do. Most likely, I would be in pain from some illness and be stuck in bed suffering...so it might not be so idyllic!

    Enjoy this wonderful season!! Love,andrea

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Andrea! I miss you so! Did your son marry yet? Hopefully our last day will be spent doing something lovely, but however it ends I pray that I'm worthy enough to spend the next moment in Paradise! I'm sure there butterflies are always about and the moon is always bright and full!

      Delete
    2. Hi Jane! The wedding will be in June....we just attended a shower. First I have to travel to my son's coast guard graduation. Then, I plan on enjoying a boring summer, which I yearn for! Just enjoying the wonderful warmth of summer and the plants, trees, etc. Enjoy your new growth in your yard (and new life!) love,andrea

      Delete
    3. That's wonderful, Andrea. Looks like you have plenty of things to look forward to. A nice boring summer sounds wonderful. Should you achieve it, you'll have to let me in on the secret to accomplishing this! Each year, I say this is the year I'm going to go to the beach and stick my toes in, but it hasn't happened yet. And I only live a few blocks from the beach!

      Delete
  10. So glad you are feeling better! I am the same way .. I hate going to the doctors and will do practically anything to not go .. home remedies, etc. But, sometimes the magic medicine is all you need. Love the story of the butterflies -- I love butterflies, so gorgeous! Keep your childlike ways - it keeps us connected to who we are!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know! I could just kick myself for letting my sickness go on so long when all I really needed to do was get some modern medicine in me. That being said, I'll always go the natural route whenever I get sick first. Just afraid of building up a resistance to drugs, I guess. So far this has been a very good spring for interesting birds and butterflies to visit. Maybe it will be the year I finally spy a bluebird!

      Delete
  11. ♫♫°º
    Olá, amiga!
    Que bom que você está melhor!
    Bom fim de semana!
    Beijinhos.
    Brasil.
    °º✿
    º° ✿¸.•°❤

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi Jane! I am so happy to hear that you are feeling better and that you have treatment for your illness. My goodness, it sounds like it really hit you hard. A few years ago I had something like that turn scary all of sudden too. I am so glad that the medicine is helping and that you were able to get it before too many weeks went by. It is so good to hear that you are on the mend! It may feel like sick days are wasted days, but when you think about all the work your body is doing in healing itself, it is pretty amazing! I hope this week is full of sunshine and recuperation. It won't be long now and you will be back to your normal Spring pace and this will all be a memory. Until then, rest well my friend! With Love, Delisa :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Delisa! I was quite shocked at how quickly my body turned to mush. Can't wait to feel strong enough to dig in the garden and exercise again. But like you said, just because it feels like a colossal waste of time, taking time to recuperate is important. It's been too cold here to do any gardening anyhow. Soon though! Hope you are having fun working on your needlepoint. Can't wait to see the finished product. I know it will be beautiful!

      Delete
  13. Hi Jane! Just thought I would pop over and say hello this afternoon. I hope you are having a good day. It is sure chilly and windy this afternoon in my little neck of the woods. Its refreshing though after all the warm weather. I am enjoying a rest this afternoon after giving Barkley a bath. As usual I think I got more wet than he did! :) I am taking a little break before starting dinner. I am going to make spaghetti and garlic bread tonight. We had our front porch screened in yesterday. It is so wonderful being able to sit out there now without getting eaten alive by the mosquitos (The Georgia State Bird). :) I sure hope you are feeling better and getting your strength built back up. Have a lovely evening ahead. Delisa :)

    ReplyDelete