“If the sight of the blue skies fills you with joy, if a blade of grass springing up in the fields has power to move
you, if the simple things of nature have a message that you understand, rejoice, for your soul is alive.”
- Eleonora Duse -
What a day I had yesterday. I stepped outside at 8 in the morning and worked in the garden till 4 in the afternoon. Talk about extreme gardening. I wonder if there’s a reality show for that. There seems to be one for just about everything these days.
Anyhow...
The sights. The sounds. The smells. I tell you, there’s nothing quite like being outdoors hanging around with Mother Nature. Nothing quite like witnessing all the simple but sensational little miracles surrounding us. Like beautiful flowers...
...and spectacular shades of green...
...and sweet feathery friends...
While working outside, I thought about my life. About how run of the mill it may seem to some people. Maybe even boring. But to me, it’s anything but. With all its simple but joyous offerings, it’s an extraordinary ordinary life.
Have a beautiful Tuesday, everyone.
Martha I love your quote "extraordinary ordinary" - I think that's a beautiful sentiment! And there should definitely be a reality show called Extreme Gardening :) I hope Beate and I have a garden someday. I think it would be so wonderful to have one. You garden is beautiful and your hard work is paying off :)
ReplyDeleteI hope you and Beate have everything your hearts desire :) Yes, a garden is a wonderful thing to have if you enjoy it. It's your own mini botanical gardens.
DeleteYou are the sweetest, Martha! :) I would love having a garden with Keith. We might come back for gardening tips though ;) Your garden is so beautiful! I love the quote, that's exactly how being out in nature makes me feel. That's where I can think, relax, enjoy and just be :) And it's so wonderful that you're happy. That's all that matters and we can feel it in your posts. They make me happy and they make me smile. I love your happy and inspiring posts so much!
DeleteHave a wonderful rest of the week :)
Thank you, Beate, for this lovely message. There is nothing quite like being connected to nature. I think when you reach that point in your life, happiness comes easily. No material items can do that for you.
DeleteOh very beautiful pics!
ReplyDeletexx
www.sakuranko.com
Thank you, Sakuranko :)
DeleteI assure you Martha I find you and what you do and share with us quite extraordinary! and I'm so very happy to know you :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lorraine! You are very sweet. And my number one fan!
DeleteI'm with you on what's extraordinary. I just love the way we live, and I don't care if it's boring to others. Plus, we have two of the best hubby's, in the history of ever.
ReplyDeleteJust finished my post, headed to the Lemon Tart Room to rest my sorry little leg but it's all good because I have a stack of coupons to entertain my brain, whilst my leg rests.
Have a great great day. Cheers and boogie boogie.
Hahaha...yes, in the history of ever! These hubbies are good ones, indeed. It's nice having a partner whose company you enjoy, and one who is in sync with you. Nothing quite like it.
DeleteI hope you had a great day yesterday! I had another garden marathon type of day today. I should have all the outdoor chores done this month. Then I can just relax and enjoy it.
It only seems ordinary because you are used to it. Gardening is outside the reality of many folk. The dog and I were up at dawn this morning. Bird calls and the fragrance after a bit of rain were incredible..
ReplyDeleteA friend called me from the beach yesterday, said she'd been traveling for 4 weeks and wished I could come down there. I said travel would probably kill me. On the other hand, the gardening I do would probably kill her.
We all have different interests. Gardening is definitely not for everyone. You have to enjoy it to want to spend a lot of time nurturing it.
DeleteThat was so lovely. What is that flower at the top??? It is a blessing to be ordinary I think.
ReplyDeleteIt is the Aquilegia vulgaris 'Origami Red & White'; one of many columbines. I love these plants; they put out the most beautiful flowers!
DeleteWhat a wonderful post, Martha. Ordinary is good. In fact it is extraordinary as you say. In this world of ours it is so easy to complicate our lives with superfluous things that are of no real value. You are on the right track that will, and is, bringing you untold happiness.
ReplyDeleteLove that first flower and Ron just told me it is a Columbine......very nice!
I think you understand this very well because you and Ron live similar lives. Simple yet beautiful. And yes, Ron is right; that is a columbine. I have a few in my garden, and I adore them!
Deletecute bird on the birdbath
ReplyDeleteOne of my favourite backyard visitors!
DeleteSo love the shots
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your extraordinary ordinary life , I love the simple ordinary things of every day that bring so much joy, I was just out in my back yard listening to the birds singing and i was so completely full of joy!
Great post!
Smiles
I've always enjoyed the simple things in life, and I believe that it's a HUGE reason why I'm a generally happy person. I get the same feeling about you, Margie. That you are someone who enjoys simple things, and someone who is happy.
DeleteOh sounds like a perfect day to me , my kind of day ! I love my simple country valley life , my gardens and the nature we have it is all a blessing ! Lovely photos ! Have a good week !
ReplyDeleteIt sure is a perfect day! But you certainly understand that because you also enjoy the simple things :)
DeleteYou got some great pics! Love that robin. It went from nasty/cold here to hot & humid. I got out early and mowed, so now it can rain if it wants to. I've got to get out early if I'm going out...love it!
ReplyDeleteI love when the robins are here. They are such sweet birds, and the camera loves them. It's pretty depressing when they leave in the fall. It's just not the same without them here.
DeleteYou captured that robin in vivid detail. Very nice, Martha!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Robyn! And thanks for stopping by.
Deleteloving your garden photos, stunning shots!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Christine. It's certainly nice to have you back in blogland!
DeleteSometimes the best things in life can be found right in your own backyard.
ReplyDeleteYou bet, Linda! We just need to 'see' them.
Deleteyou are anything but ordinary Martha...
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ana. That is very kind!
DeleteSo along with work always have a camera. You get your money's worth while you work.
ReplyDeleteYou got it, Red! Always keep a camera close to you!
DeleteI thoroughly enjoyed your day in your garden....
ReplyDeleteLovely shots....vivid colours....fantastic!
Your life is extraordinarily awesome!
Must spend a day like yours...here at my home...
Cheers!
Linda :o)
Thanks, Linda. A day in the garden is always a good day :)
DeleteWhat a lovely day you must have had, I think it's the ordinary things in our life that makes us special.
ReplyDeleteIt was a terrific day. This time of year is always my favourite!
DeleteBeautiful, Martha! I love your description .... extraordinary ordinary ... if everyone could enjoy the ordinary without having to believe they have to have extraordinary to thrive.... you're one of the lucky ones ...
ReplyDeleteGood morning ;)
Ordinary is boring to a lot of people. But to me these simple things bring a type of joy that you'll never find anywhere else. I feel in touch with the world around me, and the energy that Mother Earth generates fuels my happiness.
DeleteGood evening, Carolyn! :)
If someone witnesses a flower being unfurled and can't feel the intense happiness then I think, that soul is most ordinary! Enjoying, realizing and sinking oneself in nature and its phenomenon is indeed extraordinary Martha! I loved the red flower...colors are so vivid. This is an extraordinary post!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Chirasree! Nature and its phenomenon speaks to my very soul. So many miracles are around us. We just need to slow down and 'see' them.
Delete