Autumn Cottage on a Wet Wednesday - Choosing Joy!

They call it synchronicity, don't they? those extraordinary coincidences that sometimes happen so often that they become almost ordinary, but still give one pause (and a reason to muse that - perhaps - nothing is accidental). And so it happened this morning; while pondering what to write about and how I could make my blog post 'more interesting', I gazed out of the window, through the vase of white carnations …and through the raindrops.

Yes, it was raining, again, as it had been raining for days, and days, and days. I felt more than a little negative at another day of the same, and frankly quite depressed. I wondered how I could pull 'The Rabbit of Inspiration' out of the hat? - then realised that, in fact, inspiration was staring me in the face. Creative writing sages all encourage one to 'write about what you know' - and what did I know? - right here, right now? Mother Nature was not handing me lemons…but raindrops - and since my reality - what I REALLY knew was that it was raining, I decided that I would do a little 're-framing' and try to find inspiration and pleasure in that rain.

So I donned my Mac and hat, grabbed my camera and took off for a wander round the garden; the photographs that you see here are the result of that jaunt. It's true - if you look through a different lens, there really is some form of beauty to be found everywhere.

Variegated bamboo (Pleioblastus variegatus) by the pond

The 'synchronicity bit' comes from the fact that - having chosen to pull something positive out of my feelings of negativity, I switched on my computer and was presented on Facebook with an invitation to join one of (Buddhist priests & therapists) Satya Robin & Kaspalita Thompson's online month-long writing groups…and the title of this one? 'Joyful August - 31 days of Joy'. How about that for synchronicity!? ( I for one can certainly use more encouragement in that area - especially if it keeps on raining!!)

I've taken their courses before - so very easy going, so encouraging. So generous in spirit. So kind. They come in the form of daily email inspirations and a booklet of more quotes, links and essays for more extensive reading. Very, very inexpensive (just a few UK pounds)  and usually with a concurrent online community where one can gain even more support and friendliness.

I've no affiliation to their work other than just feeling that their 'putting it out there with love' has been a force for good in my life for several years now…and especially in these troubled times, I reckon we can all do with a bit more of that.

If you want, you can find out more about Satya & Kaspa's work here 

(You will probably read more about rainy England in August right here, from the Autumn Cottage Diarist!)

Acer leaves in the rain

The statue of 'Summertime' in the bottom bed - Ha!

The 'Umbrella Plant' Peltiphyllum peltatum down by the pond - watched over by St. Francis

The old sun lounger - with its ever more luxuriant blanket of Stags Horn lichen

Aforementioned luxuriant lichen!

A raindrop about to escape Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle'

The compost bin and Comfrey - the powerhouse of the garden - beautiful to me

Rosa 'Queen of England' - beautiful at all stages

Choosing joy - the gorgeous colours of the Day Lily - Hemerocallis 'Sammy Russell' (I think!)

 

 

 

Comments

[WOL]

An English garden polished by the rain. . . .

[Weaversjournal]

Lovely pictures of the garden help us see the beautify in the rain. Thank you Roz. It is sometimes hard to feel cheerful in the gloom, but joy is different and can be found with a bit of attention. I can vouch for Satya's 31 days of joy, I subscribed to it some time ago, and received a month of inspirational emails. Cilla x

[Pat O'Brien Pavetto]

What beautiful pictures. Here where the sun is hot and rain is seldom, these pictures are such a wonder!
I have not always lived where it is so dry. Rain actually is a comfort to me. It slows things down. I want to read or do something inside. Many moons ago when I was a teacher I found rainy days had a calming affect in my students. Now I wonder if I was calmer and it rippled out like a puddle. I just know playing quiet indoor games like Doggy, Doggy where's your bone or reading a story for fun on a rainy day. Appreciate your blog and look forward to more. Pat Pavetto

[FDM]

Bonjour,
Cela fait une éternité que je n'ai pris le temps de venir vous rendre visite. Je vous remercie encore de ces magnifiques photos. Le jardin après la pluie est toujours un bonheur, les odeurs, les couleurs, la silence et cette fraicheur qui vous envahie. Comme j'aimerais que cela arrive chez moi. Le soleil a tout brulé et les plantes peinent à pousser et se déployer. Un désastre. Bonne journée à vous et promis je viendrais plus souvent pour prendre du bonheur plein les yeux.

[Patricia]

Lovely photos of your rain drenched garden. Soothing and serene!