Do you ever feel that your core, your inner reserves, your oomph needs a charge? I just needed an hour or two to reboot; to be in nature.
Already halfway there, with a pocket of daylight before me, I steered the car westward to one of my places of renewal – the Morton Arboretum. The volunteer attendant cheerfully checked my membership card and we chatted ever-so-briefly; just enough to put a smile on both of our faces, before I rounded the bend into the grounds and veered toward the east side of the grounds.
I was looking for, and I found, strength.
I have written about this bench before. It has become somewhat a totem to me that I reach for in every season. I’m glad I don’t need to wear it around my neck, for the bench is really quite large. There is something about it that makes me smile and fills me with joy.
Catching the bench at its best through my open car window, something caught my eye, high above, casting a shadow, dancing the dance of nature.
I turned the car off, crossed over the lane and stepped onto the frosty grass. I stopped and stared as this hawk overlooked his kingdom. What did he see? How far did his powerful vision telescope? What unsuspecting rabbit or vole was his prey? He was stolid and still, master of his dominion. Then, suddenly, he swooped and circled again and again before he drifted away on the waves of air until I could see him no more.
These moments are such rewarding gifts.They remind me of how small I am and how much I have yet to learn.
I did not stay long in this outdoor stadium of strength. Back in the car, I finished the loop, then I stopped at the Visitor Center where I checked out some displays. As I walked out the door, I looked, as I always do, for my favorite tree, the Copper Beech, and remembered one of you asked to see in it winter.
I drove around the west side, then headed home, my oomph once more charged.
How do you regain your core, your strength, your groove?
Such a beautiful oasis of peace and renewal, Penny! You are so wise to take an hour or two to fill up your strength reserves. Walking in nature on a sunny day always makes my heart sing. I’m delighted that a dear friend gifted me with a Morton Arboretum membership for my birthday!! Can’t wait to begin exploring this amazing place!! What fun it would be to visit some of your favorite places there. Enjoy this lovely mild weekend in January. What a gift! ♡
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What a wonderful birthday gift! I am sure you will enjoy it, Dawn. I always justify the membership by promising to go at least once in each season. Ha! I’m there all the time. A trip to the Arb was just what I needed the other day.
I hope you enjoy this weekend as well.
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There is nothing better than a walk to get the oomph back. I have to do it quite often. Thank you for this beautiful post Penny, have a great weekend.
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Right you are, Gerlinde. This little diversion was just what I needed.
You are most welcome, Gerlinde. We have mild weather here today, so, good for getting outdoors. You too.
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I agree! A walk, especially in nature – even a busy city street – rejuvenates me. Or dancing. Glad you have your place of ‘strength’ to always lean on, and that it always delivers.
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Dancing most certainly does work out that “oomph”, Jennifer. I forget how I enjoy dancing. Thank you.
I think a walk on a busy city street can be invigorating as well. Let’s take a city walk soon.
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I go to the water and listen to the waves. The water hitting the shores never ceases to relax and rejuvenate me.
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Water has such a way of refreshing and rejuvenating, doesn’t it? Just imagining it as I read your comment is up-lifting. Thank you so much for stopping by and commenting.
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A lovely post, Penny. So glad you were recharged. I need to get out and stare at the trees too. That devotional you gave me has helped tremendously. It’s so whimsical. I love it!
So glad to see you and Andra the other day. What a treat!
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You know what, L. Marie. Let’s meet up sometime soon, I know a good spot where you can leave your car, and we can go to the Arboretum together. My card allows for guests, and we can drive or walk or both and it can be a devotional in itself. I’m so happy to know that the devotional is helping you. So happy.
Me too. We have Andra to thank for bringing us together. 🙂
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Like you, the Arboretum has been my go-to battery recharger and mood lifter many times over the years. Aren’t we so lucky to have it nearby? What a treasure. And by the way, *note to Penny’s daughters, I think a great Mother’s Day gift would be a tattoo, duplicating the word “STRENGTH” from her favorite bench! 😉
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I know it has, Janet, and yes, we most certainly are lucky to have it close by. The Arb never lets me down.
Ha! Where would I put the tattoo?
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Oh Penny! I completely understand the need to charge your oomph! I often experience that same feeling, and walking in my favorite garden spaces does the same for me–recharge! I love the Copper Beech in winter. It’s very special to see its beautiful bones. For the first time this week I went to the Huntington very late in the day. I have never done that. I had such a wonderful time–a short time–but the sun was lower and the gardens took on entirely different tones. And yes, I came away with my oomph on full! Isn’t it wonderful that we can recharge by way of lovely gardens! I think we get our money’s worth in our memberships. 🙂
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Hey, Debra. Did you sense Andra and I talking about you, wishing you were here? We were. I do.
I appreciate winter for letting us see the “bones” of plants, especially the trees, the vacated nests awaiting the next tenant, those crisp leaves that hang on through it all . . .
It’s fun to visit our favorite haunts at different times of day. Glad the Huntington filled up your oomph well. Thank goodness for these benefactors of gardens and grounds. I think we definitely get our money’s worth, ESPECIALLY you and I, my friend.
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Penny, being in nature does it for me every time! that’s where I am now, restoring my oomph, being with my favourite trees and this evening eating my picnic dinner on the rocks at the beach. I loved visiting STRENGTH with you again, and enjoyed reading about the hawk (Have you read H is for Hawk? It’s a great book).
The shape of the copper beech is so graceful and winter shows it off beautifully.
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I am sure it does, Juliet, and your nature posts always inspire me. Right now, though our weather has been mild, I do envy you that dinner on the beach.
I haven’t read H is for Hawk. I need to correct that. Thank you. I do have a lovely book on owls that was a Christmas gift sitting, waiting for my perusal, though.
Off I go to get a few things done so I can then take another little walk, if only down our road.
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Oh, wow! That beech is glorious, Penny. I consider myself very fortunate in that I live surrounded by nature wherever I am. Just going outside into the garden and really looking at my surroundings is often enough for me to recharge.
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I think so, as well, Perpetua. I look for it whenever I am at the Morton Arboretum, but, need to get a bit closer in winter when it has shed the coppery leaves. Your views are all so wondrous in your houses – and you most definitely appreciate them. We are lucky for these “rechargers”.
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I am enjoying your “bench of strength” and your magnificent tree. A walk is always a wonderful way to rejuvenate your mind, body and spirit. Sometimes when there is no time or not enough energy for a walk, I enjoy stepping onto our deck to look at the stars, the moon, or the clouds that cover them. I take time to listen to the quiet. I don’t mind if the silence is interrupted by the neighboring owl or the coyotes down the hill. A few deep breaths of some fresh air and I am “good to go” as they say.
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I’m so glad. I would enjoy your deck as well. You have such an uninterrupted view of all that is around you. We are lucky to be here, but, we have a few too many interruptions of the manmade kind, especially noise pollution.
Then, there is your pond. 🙂 Before you know, the peepers will be singing.
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That tree is the perfect spot for the STRENGTH bench. It won’t be long until there will be an entirely different view but am so glad you saw the hawk. I wonder what he was looking at? We have them here and they compete with our cats for furry snacks on the ground. I was thrilled when 4 doe came into the back from our lots last week! When we see them there is always one leader and in a few minutes the others come along one by one. That restores my “oomph”! Are you having time to see War and Peace? My Vicar from Grantchester is a man character. Be still my heart!
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It is the perfect spot for the bench, Marilyn. There was obviously a good deal of thought to the placement of the bench and I love it in every season. I imagine the hawk was looking for lunch, though I’ve seen some circling in pairs recently. I love to watch them soaring together. Aren’t they wonderful to observe and they keep the small critter population at bay. I hope the hawks leave enough for the cats.
I am sorry to say that War and Peace has escaped my viewing. I love Grantchester and the vicar is definitely both a man and a main character worth watching. 🙂 (saw you second comment). Take care, Marilyn.
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Oops– main character!
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My Facebook profile picture is me standing on that Strength bench! I agree, the Arboretum is my first choice of places to recharge. I’m getting worried as they seem to be getting more crowded, especially on weekends. Luckily, I have the opportunity to go on weekdays.
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That’s great, Susan. Perfect photo op. I love this bench and what it expresses every season.
It is much more crowded at the Arboretum. I’ve noticed as well. Like you, I have the opportunity to go on weekdays, and take it whenever I can, and have my spots of solitude. Are you running there again?
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Penny, yes, when the weather is good I go there once or twice a week to run. We do mostly interval running, which in this case is one-minute running, 30-seconds walking, and keep repeating. Less chance of injury. I also go there and walk sometimes–again, I’m on the trails when they’re in good condition.
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A wise woman you are to do this when the trails are good, Susan. It can be a challenge this time of year. I admire your ‘stick-to-itiveness” .
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Morton Arboretum is a lovely place and if we were ever to be lucky enough to visit it, I feel like I’d know my way around it from enjoying your posts. (I’m glad the weather allowed you to get outside). The Copper Beech is wonderful in all seasons. Being out in nature is my place for renewal and peace — you describe it so much better than I can.
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That is nice of you to say, Sallie. I think you would like the Morton Arboretum and yes, the weather was good. We’ve had a fairly mild winter, though it is raining something fierce today, with thunder and lightening. Unusual for this time of year.
Thank you, however, you put your words so expertly and beautifully in your photos. I”m always amazed at what I see.
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I think the difference is that you create amazing word images of your original thoughts and reflections and use your photos to illustrate them. I, on the other hand, take pictures and then struggle to find a few adequate words to describe them.
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