I found this anonymous quote in the National Association of women Writer's Newsletter this morning and loved it. Thought I'd share.

I'm putting it in this forum because just being outside helps my mental health.

"An hour outdoors can be worth ten in the therapist's office. Make the most of nature's blessings: fresh air, sunshine, trees, grass, the ocean. This time of year, the best things in life are free."

Yeah chatty, I was worrying aboaut you when you had the wasps on your porch. I thought you may never get outside again!

I have a big swing right outside my back door, across from my carport, and in the shade. Some days early, early, in the morning, or even sometimes when I get home from work, I'll take a cup of coffee and go and sit in the swing. I don't have an agenda. If it is early, I greet the sun, if it is evening, I kiss it goodnight.

You wouldn't believe the stress and/or problems that are left behind on that swing.

JJ

If my hammock could talk!

I have two decks in the backyard. One near the pool and one higher up the cliff with a table on it. It overlooks the woods and a creek. We eat there a lot.
Last week, we watched a bunch of bluejays diving at a tree. We got the binaculars and saw that they were after a hawk that had captured a rabbit. The hawk finally got away and flew with the rabbit in his claws to his nest in a big tree near the creek. I guess he was taking home dinner to his babies.
A deer comes to the deer lick I put near the creek and my grandsons love to catch turtles and lizards in the mud along the creek. We enjoy the creek almost as much as the pool and it is much less work.
It seems to be so energizing to be outside (Unless it's miserably hot or freezing cold that is).
smile

Working in the garden is therapy. Deadheading the flowers I leave a lot behind. Picking whatever my husband has planted takes a while and yes the wildlife there is wonderful. I do think two birds were chewing me out for picking their strawberries. I told them there would be plenty left for them and there was.
Must head out there soon. Didn't get to the raspberries yesterday.
Maggie

I used to like pottering in the garden but these days it is just another CHORE - and we are in drought with water restrictions and can't water the garden anyway. It is a dust bowl and we need to have some tree lopping and other major maintenance done. Like everything else it just seems to weigh on me at present. But I did pot up some geraniums yesterday so maybe I can manage to keep them alive in pots?

(If this mood persists I'm going to change my login name to Eyore)

Julie, the mood will change. Not to worry. Nothing ever stays the same. Thank God.

Please find some time to do a few things for yourself. I wish I lived closer. We could walk the beach and talk about all the books we've read.

My wishes for you:

-take a walk all alone

-soak in a hot bath with bubbles and then lather yourself with lotions and potions

-read a funny book

-watch a funny show

-read scripture

-meditate and pray

-call a friend

Give yourself the break you need. We boomer women are cheering for you to tend to yourself.

Dots I'm working through your list (although it will take some time!) and feeling better already.

If you get an overseas phone call...don't be surprised...