American Idyll
Regarding back-to-school: A friend recently asked me, "Are you sad to see the idyllic days give way to school schedules?"
I thought about this for awhile.
Idyllic days.
I can't remember the last time I've indulged in an idyllic day. It certainly wasn't this summer.
Seriously.
And how sad is that?
So I decided I needed to put more idyll in my days.
Last night as the thunder crashed and the rain started to fall I took five minutes away from my putting-the-kids-to-bed-while-I'm-still-finishing-up-laundry-and-trying-to-work-on-a-long-neglected-quilt-project-routine and walked outside to breathe in deeply the damp earthy scent of rain-splashed cement and feel oft-longed-for raindrops on my face.
Five minutes of idyll in my day.
Today, for the first time all summer, I was lucky enough to get a lounge chair at Veterans so I dragged it over to the shade of an ancient tree and I actually lounged there with my hat down over my eyes and took a nap. Only half aware of the carefree sounds of splashing and laughter as the dwindling crowd celebrated one of the last hurrahs of summer.
Twenty minutes of idyll in my day.
I'm still pondering what idyllic moment I will happen upon tomorrow. I probably won't know until it arrives. But I do know I will be all the happier for having recognized it and seized upon it.
So, what do you do when you feel the need for idyll in your day?
I thought about this for awhile.
Idyllic days.
I can't remember the last time I've indulged in an idyllic day. It certainly wasn't this summer.
Seriously.
And how sad is that?
So I decided I needed to put more idyll in my days.
Last night as the thunder crashed and the rain started to fall I took five minutes away from my putting-the-kids-to-bed-while-I'm-still-finishing-up-laundry-and-trying-to-work-on-a-long-neglected-quilt-project-routine and walked outside to breathe in deeply the damp earthy scent of rain-splashed cement and feel oft-longed-for raindrops on my face.
Five minutes of idyll in my day.
Today, for the first time all summer, I was lucky enough to get a lounge chair at Veterans so I dragged it over to the shade of an ancient tree and I actually lounged there with my hat down over my eyes and took a nap. Only half aware of the carefree sounds of splashing and laughter as the dwindling crowd celebrated one of the last hurrahs of summer.
Twenty minutes of idyll in my day.
I'm still pondering what idyllic moment I will happen upon tomorrow. I probably won't know until it arrives. But I do know I will be all the happier for having recognized it and seized upon it.
So, what do you do when you feel the need for idyll in your day?
Comments
I miss thunder storms. That would be a perfect idyll moment.
And watching my babies sleep.
Awesome, awesome, awesome.
Naps. Breath of fresh air in the morning when I wake up...especially if it's crisp. Pulled to dance by my daughter. A decadent bit of chocolate. Getting my feet and legs rubbed by my hubby. Sometimes just sitting silently, in the dark with my legs up...
I worked on the moments today too. I indulged in a warm soak in the tub and used the time to pray about some things I want to resolve, and gained a little ground, I do believe. Walked to Home Depot with Rob instead of driving, and took pictures of the sky along the way. Started up a crochet project before bed while Rob read me a few chapters from the Moomintroll series.
At other times, I idyll by doing yoga, reading, dancing (sans audience), riding my bike along the river trail, writing, or knitting. Or eating French pastries.
That was a terrific post. I idyllize you.
There are other hobbies that I enjoy, but that does not mean I find them Idyllic.
P.S. Did I ever tell you about the motorcycle ride I took with Mike J. when I was fourteen but he thought I was sixteen. . .it rained . . .it was idyllic.
Those are some great ideas. I'm thinking good books and a deep bubble bath sound pretty heavenly right now.