“All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring;
Renewed shall be blade that was broken,
The crownless again shall be king.”
~ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring
When my Nana was alive and I would visit her, she invariably wanted me to drive her somewhere. Nana never ever got her driver’s license and though she was very independent, walking and catching public transport everywhere, she just loved being driven someplace new, or to a favourite haunt or happening.
Not being able to drive myself right now and leaving the house far less often, I finally understand the appeal of an ‘outing’. To simply sit in the car and watch the world roll by out my window is very satisfying. There is so much going on that I usually take for granted.
And being able to break my usual routine with some new scenery or company (when I am up for it) is deeply satisfying.
Yesterday the monthly Markets were on. I’ve missed them since well before Christmas due to illness. I decided to delay taking my meds for a few hours so we could make a short visit. My husband Ben dropped me right outside the gates of the Bangalow Show Grounds where I waited while he parked the car. A friend joined us and we slowly walked, one of them supporting each of my arms, to our regular coffee stand.
I sat down in the shade while they fetched organic donuts and coffee. Neither are on my current diet, but I had a little of Ben’s and they were wonderful! I stayed sitting while they wandered around, content to people watch.
On my slow walk back through the stalls I picked up a bag full of just-picked lychees.
My dear friend and neighbour Richard was selling his pottery at one of the stalls. How wonderful to see him and give him a hug. He kindly gifted me a jar of his delicious organic home-made Davidsons Plum jam. Happy happy!
I also bought some hand-made soaps as our supply at home has completely run out. I much prefer to use chemical-free and local produce rather than mass-manufactured stuff. And this batch smells heavenly. 🙂
I met lots of friends, had plenty of hugs and love-ups and came home exhausted but content, and with a bag full of treasures. I then took my drugs and slept the rest of the day away.
If you have any elderly friends or family, or know anyone suffering a chronic illness, never underestimate the simple act of a drive in the country, a trip to the shops or a coffee in a local cafe as a morale booster and highlight in their week.
As your week unfolds before you, I also encourage you to take a little time for YOU – for an outing, a coffee, a wander through a bookstore or a library, or a catch-up with friends. We all benefit from nourishing our souls.
Bless xoxo
What a lovely morning you had …so good to see you out and about . I am seeing a friend on Wed for coffee . She is very down at the moment having recently lost her lovely Dad . I have known my friend practically all my life, but unfortunately have social phobic problems, so even to see her is hard , but I just want to make her smile maybe about the old days . I know we will both come home feeling so much better for the experience …so, like you, I urge everyone to do something nice for someone …or for themselves .
Cherry x
Reblogged this on Spirit In Action and commented:
Thank you for posting this! So glad you were
able to get out and have
such beautiful experiences. Being shut
in is like being invisible a
bit where you miss
everyone and all the
colour and life that exist
out there where the
people are. Being aspie
I’ve never been very good
at social stuff.
Consequently now that
I’m shut-in there aren’t
really visitors or outings
unless I am strong
enough to drive myself.
But today I was able to
see the garden and chat
with some adorable
neighborhood children
who were wrangling their
wayward cat. So I am sharing your joy from a distance:-) There is something so luscious about local hand made soap! Your picture reminded me of that lovely smell. We have a local market here on Saturday except in summer when its too hot to be outside for long. Its the best thing in the city, so many people come out every week it blocks the traffic downtown. The last time I went 2 years ago I bought fresh vegetables from the best salesman I’ve ever met. He was 11 or 12 years old and so full of charm and enthusiasm. With lines like”that eggplant is so beautiful like your eyes!” It was no wonder he was selling so much food:-)
Those dolls are super cute
While I was reading the first paragraph – I thought it was something I had written about MY Nana. She couldn’t drive either! Your Sunday market looks fantastic and I really would like to come over and visit it with you sometime!
Such a valid point about the value of an outing; especially for the house-bound. Hugs to you and your likely close companion Bert XXX
Like the look of that market!
What a fun outing!! We are anticipating spring here so that the farmer’s markets will be in full swing again. Lovely pics. So glad you were able to get out today. ♥ (p.s. I only use hand-made soaps. Patchouli and sandlewood are my faves) Rest now ~