Dazzled by Mother Nature’s speckled flower gardens, welcoming pathways and fairy tale colors,
Sheila is gathering energy to walk about the stunning panoramas at her retirement realm. Communicating with nature offers profound effects on wellness and attitude.
“Take a chance on….” Join her in Post 12 as she ventures into Mother Nature’s vista.
Talk about an irrepressible spirit and a gung-ho designer who still has IT and she’s old…Mother Nature fits perfectly as a resident in my retirement realm with her offerings of inspiration and solace.
Her latest lingo….if we walk, she talks….to us….!
Normally I send accolades and offer standing ovations in regard to Mother Nature’s gardening/landscaping prowess, but I must mention about being a bit disheartened regarding her discombobulation of my three glorious Christmas Cactus plants….she really jumped the gun this year and showered gorgeous blooms on my porch around November 5th. Sooo wrong!
Oops, Surprise, Poof….She heard me. Mother Nature actually appeared and did not accept my teeny-tiny critique graciously….rising to her full 11′ height, (good thing we were on my porch or she would have hit her head on the 9′ ceiling in my apartment.) Her angry violet eyes, green lips, blue eyebrows and wavy yellow hair down to her ankles, (wow, pure technicolor), offered no beatific smile as she voiced centuries of frustration with our unfocused attitude on climate change, while she’s trying to stay on the forefront of investing/improving our ecosystems. (Probably in the future, I’ll keep my Christmas Cactus opinions to myself.)
I apologized prolifically and invited her for a stroll around my retirement realms lanes. I wanted to discuss an excellent article addressing climate change because the author, Michelle Norris, deftly presented a timely analysis challenging women to be her partners and advocates: “If artists were asked to imagine Mother Nature in seasons of unbridled water and heat, they would be more likely to sketch a character with a palm to her forehead or her hands on her hips. I see a woman scorned — a mother who doesn‘t care that she’s yelling loud enough for the whole neighborhood to hear because her selfish and self-centered charges left the freezer open, ignored recycling rules and dared to play with matches in the middle of a drought. But however old fashioned our notions, and accounting for the sensitivity around gender norms, the irony is that women in general and mothers in particular are uniquely positioned to lead the on-the-ground battle to deal with the growing climate crisis.”*
Mother Nature said to me, “It’s about time for women to be proactive….the lovely gardens, waterscapes and pathways here showcase my talents….take a chance on me, dearie….I’m worth it.” And then, a whiff and she wafted out of sight. Hmmm, I wanted to show her more….nope, my interlude was over.
So I decided to again walk the walk and listen to her talk….additionally, all’s well, if we of the high-mileage age group walk…. an imperative goal to increase out balance/stamina. Walking is a perfect cocktail!**
To begin, water has universal appeal and builders often use it as a primary amenity. Fortunately, we have a bona fide lake, plus a lovely, large waterfall giving my CCRC, (Continuing Care Retirement Community) realm a double whammy. Some residents think it makes an earsplitting sound, but no worries, a wonderful asset happens. It turns on and off! Since three apartment buildings surround it, the procedure is to turn it off at night at 9:00 pm and on every morning at 9:00 am.
One of Mother Nature’s very best friends, Frank Lloyd Wright said: “Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you.” He would have been endeared…..
with our gardeners and their skills. Without fail, walks provide greetings….chats happen and during one sweet occasion while wearing my favorite gaucho hat, necessary to modify our California sun….I met my friend C.M. We shared news and I mentioned an earlier surgery….upon my return home, my email was shrieking and blinking….actually dancing a wild jig….Read Me, Read Me!!!! From C.M:
When I started this blog , I wondered if my husband and I would fit into a retirement realm, actually like it, find friends in this realm where white hair rules….Yes….we encountered feelings of compassion, gratitude and joy….some rough moments, but in terms of “aging equity,” an absolute and positive investment!
Wishing my family and friends a Holiday Season of kindness, wellness and a future where we help protect
Mother Nature to ……………Be Strong and Stay:
MAGICAL!
SY’s Salient Points:
The gardens at my retirement realm are narcissistic/boastful, constantly clamoring for attention. During her surprise visit, Mother Nature, the Executive Director of garden colors told me, “my gardens evoke energy/ spirituality/nostalgia…. they set fresh moods….my bright colors are exciting, darks are dramatic and pales are gentle. I’m giving you my very best, Sheila. Get yourself out there, they’ll give you a lift.”
*From Washington Post: By Michele L. Norris Columnist July 30, 2021 Opinion: Mother Nature is ticked off. Can you blame her?
**From AARP, 4-1-2020: “…when it comes to walking, more is more for older adults,…But, what surprised researchers, low intensity strolls appeared to have the same benefits as higher-intensity power walks.” Walking increases endurance, flexibility, coordination, and agility.
Wishing You Holiday Cheer and Happiness, Blaire!