Monday, March 14, 2011

A Little Walk



Of course the devastation that has hit Japan has been on my mind  -  Japan, Haiti, Chile, New Zealand - the names are like a tolling bell, a reminder that, in an instant, everything one loves can be swept away. A reminder to cherish what one has.

So yesterday I took a cautious little walk. 

A week ago I slipped on the basement stairs and twisted my knee (already in rather poor shape) so that I've been hobbling about like an even older lady than I already am.

At last -- many ibuprofen later -- the knee is more flexible and the weather is warmer and the ground hardly squishes at all and it's time to take a little walk and be thankful for the undisturbed beauty all around.

Click on the picture below to biggify and to see the captions.
 
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25 comments:

Marilyn & Jeff said...

Wonderful photos and so interesting to see your home and surrounds. After such a hard winter you must be rejoicing in the arrival of spring. You live in a very lovely part of the world.
You are so right in that we must cherish what we have.
I do hope that you knee mends quickly for you.

Evalinn said...

Lovely pics, soon spring will be right on its way over here too.

Hope your knee feels better soon!

Unknown said...

Sorry to hear about your knee. My mantra at 67 is 'be mindful' lovely pics!

Martin said...

We went for a walk in the setting sun, last evening. Like you, we were reminded of how much there is to appreciate.

Twisted knees can be tricky. Having once spent six months on elbow crutches, the memories are with me some 18 years on. Wishing you a speedy return to full fitness. Take care.

Merisi said...

Signs of spring getting closer everywhere!

In Austria, the native helleborus niger blooms all along the Alpine range at the edge of deciduous woods. It goes by the name "Schneerose" - snow rose - because it blooms long before the snow melts. Discovering a wild Schneerose that has struggled through the snow, blooming in full glory, is one of the wonders of late winter here.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery from your knee injury,
Merisi

June said...

You have a FINAL daffodil? ...and my hosta is still buried under snow!

You can't go out your door without climbing a hill, can you? I feel that way sometimes here, but the hills are a little gentler.

Louise said...

Spring is really under way in your neck of the woods! I hope that your knee feels better quickly.

Suz said...

I enjoyed our walk around your place..thanks
hope the knee keeps healing

Mel said...

Thanks so much for taking us on your walk with you. The helleborus photo is sublime. Your caption final daffodil made me laugh, as my first haven't poked through the ground yet, but it should happen any day now. We're expecting a warm spell this week, so all sorts of magic should be happening soon.
Ouch about the twisted knee. I'm still not right from my shoulder injury from falling two years ago, and I am very, very careful trying to fall no more. I feel much older than my 51 years, and want to be able to enjoy long walks for years to come. The hills must be hard on your healing knee. Take care!
Your mountain home is a piece of heaven.

Desiree said...

Oh, Vicky...how very beautiful, and I loved having William along for the walk...what a cute little chap. My dog, Heathcliff, would relate well to him!

You're so right...it often takes a tragedy elsewhere to make us recognise how very lucky we are and to remind us of the fragility of life in general.

The magnitude of devastation and loss in Japan is truly incomprehensible! It makes the tiny things we find to gripe about so inconsequential! Thank you for the reminder.

I'm glad to hear your painful knee is on the mend - do continue to be careful, though.

Elora said...

Lovely, Vicki. Same here, in every way. Thoughts of others and thankfulness for what we have and where we live. Now, if only we could somehow put the brakes on fracking and drilling for "un"-natural gas and mountaintop removal, we could feel safe and sound in our glorious paradise. Nuclear power, anyone? (Sorry. I just couldn't resist...I should get my own blog, right!)

Elora

Jill said...

Beautiful photos! My jonquils are only about 5 inches tall at this point. So sorry about your knee. I hope you feel better soon!

Inger said...

What a lovely spring walk. Hope your knee gets much better soon.--Inger

Brian Miller said...

ugh. sorry you got hurt...as you know i tore a ligament in my foot so iam hobbling these days myself but have been up and about more...japan is certainly on my mind as well...

Folkways Note Book said...

Vicki -- a very nice walk around your homestead. William is a lovable looking dog. Bet he gets excited when you go for a walk with him. Your photos were delightful. Wonderful that your knee is better. I believe many of us have taken pause to realize how fortunate we are to be have shelter, food, and heat. How tragic for the people of Japan. -- barbara

Darla said...

Deep gratitude for inviting me along on your walk. Glorious!!!!!! I love the way you compose your photos--beautiful eye, Vicki.

BB said...

Well said Vicki. In the blink of an eye it can all be gone. Enjoy life.

Vicki Lane said...

Final daffodil -- as in the end of the walk. No, the daffs have just begun their show here.

Schneerose -- I like that!

Unknown said...

Vicki - I just read that ibuprofen has been found to reduce the chances of getting Parkinson's - so those of us who medicate our sore limbs with it may be better off! Thanks for taking us on the walk - next time I want to come!!

Tess Kincaid said...

My daffodils are finally a few inches out of the ground. Soon your spring will spread up here to us!

Victoria said...

Vicki, you live in paradise! I hope your knee mends soon.

Kath said...

WHile it's dark and rainy again, I can see the optimistic daffodils and the green halos in the trees. But I can feel spring coming for sure when I read your blog. Thank you.

Miss_Yves said...

I hope that you feel better!
Beautiful pictures!

Deanna said...

I'm sorry to hear you wrenched your knee. Hope your hobble soon becomes better.

Thank you for the walk and reminder of the beauty surrounding us all. It was refreshing. We got an unexpected six inches of snow in Missouri yesterday, so no walk in the woods for me! It is supposed to be in the 70's by the weekend. Crazy.

J_on_tour said...

Thanks for sharing your walk and thoughts. We don't seem to appreciate things that we take for granted until it's gone. Hope you recover from your accident soon.