I used to take my Jack Russell with me always but my two dogs now only travel in the canoe. I will be buying property in AK to put a cabin and when they are up there then they will go with me and my Honeybunny to the Island get aways. But now I do it when I need a break from work in AK so that is what I was thinking.
When I am home the mountains is where I go, like you Julie. This spot is only 20 minutes from my driveway and I can go to it without getting on pavement.
I live in the city and in the country - so in a way I may have the best and worst combination. I don't travel anymore, I just don't want to - life is still complicated enough without adding in another place. I also struggle with relax, I went out to sit and read yesterday and just about broke my DH up: I arrived with two novels, a biography, my notebook, a weighty tome on 18th C gardens, one of John Locke's trestise, a pack of pencils and two bottles of water. I was in for the siege - "HAVE TO GET THROUGH.....". Fortunately the computer doesn't work well that far from the house. I decided on a day off today, so I went and did a 20 mile walk.
I'm going to work on this concept of relax/recharge Portland, now if I recharge I could go twice as fast....... okay, wrong concept, let me try that one again.
Beautiful spot, Steve. LOL on the visual of reading all those books at one sitting, Laurie. Also on the visual of the 'energizer bunny' recharging itself to go even faster and longer.
Two places we recharge - camping in the Adirondacks of NY or visiting friends at their lake house in Michigan. Jeff grew up camping in NY, so we started taking our boys there as well. A small state place on a lake w/o motors. It had an island with awesome rocks to jump off into the water. Canoing and fishing were fun! No showers and pit toilets ( they have upgraded to flushable ones now) :) It was a fantastic place. When our boys were given a chance to change places, they refused. We have already been back with grandkids, but we probably need to wait another year before we try that again. :)
The house in Michigan allowed us to recharge with people that we love like parents. Very relaxing, but still let Jeff keep busy with projects they had that needed doing.
Defintily not a shopper here. ICK!!!
Also not a shopper. The Internet was the worst thing ever for me, because rather than socking my money away I could buy umpteens of things without stepping in a store or talking to a person.
I recharge ANYWHERE. I love to travel. In the U.S., mainly ski resorts & big cities, but ANYWHERE in Europe, South America, Asia, Africa, whatever. I'm like a dog who hears the truck running if there is an airplane involved. My favorite place on the planet is that sweet spot in the South of France that meets up with the Spanish border. It's just magic to me, as if I'm returning to the womb.
It breaks my heart that my freewheeling days are over, no longer being half of a well-paid DINK with lots of vacation time, plus now I have a dog, and I miss her terribly if she's left behind. Of course, I think about the time ahead when I'll be more free to gallivant about, and can't bear the thought of such freedom either. She's the only dog I've ever had.
The whole motorcycle-quad-snowmobile thing sounds like a special recharge in hell to me, isn't that funny. I do NOT like noise.
I grew up in a big city, but not the West Coast kind built for cars. I actually love visiting my old neighborhood where you can walk anywhere you need to go, take a bus or elevated train to interesting places farther from home, and be surrounded by people of many cultures. The Quaker meeting house where my parents were married and where there is a tree planted for my dad in the back yard is a place of recharge for me there when the crowds get overwhelming. It is still home in a way even though I've lived out West for 30 years, but I don't think I could be happy living there without my garden with my plants to take care of and the ravens and pheasants for company. Also, at my current home I love going out at night and being able to see the stars. If I could do like Laurie and have a home in both places that would be ideal, but I would want to live in the country and just visit the city sometimes.
I guess I am a person of conundrums. I can be recharged by travel, but I hate leaving home. I can recharge at home out in my garden with lots of puttering here and there or curled up for hours inside in a comfy chair with a good book. Just need all of it in balance.
Hate shopping......except for plants.
I used to love loud rock music, etc. but the older I get, the more I enjoy the sound of silence. I never turn the tv on "for company or background noise". But I DO LOVE the loud deep throaty sound of a good set of pipes on a bike, and nothing turns me on more than listening to the purring of an old muscle car. Well yeah, I still like my "oldies music", but not as loud anymore - except when I am doing housework, I do a much better job vacuuming while rocking out to AC/DC. I must be getting old, I am now rambling .
I have to second Summerkid to the lack of motor noise - there is nothing I like better than the absence of it coupled to the outdoors. I also really like people who don't talk all the time and are comfortable with that. I often find that is the case with long distance walkers. My mother was a yatterer, my father is brainlessly narcissistic - to be in good conversational company, where the lulls are welcome and reflective - that is a lovely relax/recharge time. That is a nod to this thread, and DG in general. Thank you Portland, and all who contribute.
NOW, gotta dash, the sun is shining the weeds are growing.
Yes, the sound of a golf cart pretty much puts me at my noise limit, though I've been told that riding a motorcyle is a very rhythmic, zoney feeling like I get when rollerblading.
One of these days, Laurie, you will come to a roundup & after Lynn & Sofer & their ilk have gone VROOOOOM off on their fancy-schmancy noisy-makers, you will explain to us stump-along bipeds how your mother & father commenced to find each other, be with each other AND then produce a non-nattering-narcissist. Must be as much a miracle as breaking the cycle of alcoholic parents.
Sometimes that nonstop nattering exhibits itself online too ... I'm thinking of one very smart individual who posts here compulsively. One of my friends thought the Compulsive One was stalking her into every forum my friend visited ... until it became clear that the CO posted pretty much everywhere, relevance be danged. Fortunately for us, she lives on the East Coast & hasn't found reason to boss around the West Coast yet ...
My mother was quite a dish, my father also. My mother probably thought he was fascinated by what she had to say, my father probably thought she was just dying for his attention. Love is full of fantasy. (And I hope that was meant to read a non-nattering-non-narcissist, but then that would be imposing MY view of MYself on you - how narcissistic is that?!!!) Oh, and look at that, I've managed to stop the CO from bossing the West Coast by getting there first! Ya' know, it is really easy to get into this idea of narcissism - its all about MMMMMEEEEEEEE. this is fun.
Oh, Pix, are you feeling left out - we could certainly find something to reference you with - how grows the garden, are you ready for the visit of others? I just want to give you one reassuring piece of advice: try to remember when viewing the garden, that garden visitors are always always always impressed and delighted. Garden owners are always always always disappointed and replanning.
I am 100% (with bells on) envious of those about to arrive at your gates.
Me, too, but I console myself with knowing that there will be pictures.
We will all take lots of pictures. You will be so inundated with pictures that you will feel you have seen every nook and cranny of every garden we visit.
Pixydish- I am really looking forward to seeing your garden! Lordy knows, I can really use some fresh ideas.
I am anxiously waiting to see your lovely garden, too!
YIPPEE!!
I am also quite envious of those of you who will be at the RU. I leave for San Francisco on Thursday but I will have my laptop with me so please post lots of pics! The grandchildren may have me tied to a chair while they run amok.
LOL, Judi. I can see it now. Have a great trip!
No worry you will be going crosseyed by the time you are done with them all. LOL Like Holly said.
Thank goddness I have the rest of the week off after the RU. To do the pics and plant the plants. Happy Happy
I'm with you all on the no noise - coming home after work in the city is Heaven to me. No iPod for me in the garden. I can just feel my blood pressure going down after a day at work/commute. I even hate it when I have to get out the lawn mower or the edger - I save those for my "must-get-these-chores done" times that are interspersed with my "dig-over-here", "weed-over-there", "let's-plant-a-new combo" general gardening style.
Oh tills, enjoy your time off - and please don't tell the kids/grandchildren/nieces and nephews until you only have 2 more days. Yours seem to alight ASAP. Make this break your's and DH time (plus the round up). Portland enjoy the tying-up. I think (I have this picture of you completely bound with a pencil in your mouth using the touch screen) Hi Katie. And enjoy the round up all of you. Awaiting happy snaps.
Portland, the image of you and the grand kids makes me think of this amazingly funny show from the BBC - Outnumbered. I pity the poor adult actors because the kids just trounce them - especially the youngest. Watch a couple of the clips, the little girl is just amazing especially in dialogue with the dolls.
http://video.google.co.uk/videosearch?hl=en&source=hp&q=outnumbered+bbc&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=hluVSq_nHajbjQf8nLHnDQ&sa=X&oi=video_result_group&ct=title&resnum=4#
This message was edited Aug 26, 2009 4:15 PM
Funny clips. That little girl is very eloquent.
Cute. Very much prefer your shows to ours.
Love the "mouse Killer" she is good
Thank you Laurie, I have not said a word. LOL No ones knows.....
And plan on enjoying it.
This message was edited Aug 26, 2009 7:25 PM
I love those clips! Especially the Mouse Killer. Thank you Laurie. I'm going to see if I can rent the series from Netflix. My favorite for years is 'As Time Goes By' and this one may prove to be equally great.
I agree with the noise thing. I love living in the city with people around and all the cultural things available. But when it's time to get away to recharge and relax, I need quiet. Blessed quiet.
This is where I found quiet last week! With my daughter's puppy and my dog Koka.
A beautiful day on the Oregon coast!
All of you going to the RU and visiting the gardens of others, you have an assignment. See what you can learn about the person from their garden. Could be interesting.
Oh Gad! Please do not learn anything about me from my garden! That could absolutely destroy my persona if people begin analyzing too closely. Gad! The thought! I have determined that since the garden has seen no gardening action in close to 3 weeks, I will simply tidy it up and deadhead a bit and then let the chips fall. Rachel is coming to help me do the tidying, and cut back all the stuff that the spidermites killed while I was on vacation. (note to self: never do a garden opening again if a vacation is planned. Since a vacation is always going to be planned, garden opens are well out.)
Still, if you stand back and look at the overall effect, it looks good. All eyeglasses must be turned in at the gate. They will be returned to you upon your departure. This is for your own safety. Really.
Oh, I wasn't feeling left out. I was just feeling narcissistic! I figured if you were talking, it MUST be about me! LOL!
Beautiful photos, Portland! I do love a sunny beach! Here is one from the Gulf Islands of BC.
Pix, relax! I did not say analyze closely. What I meant to imply was just get a feel for the 'vibes' the garden sends out. Quick first thoughts as you enter the area. The overall effect - it can say so much.
What a serene photo - lovely. I have never been to the Gulf Islands of BC. So many places to go!
Does Judi always assign homework?
Think of them as self enlightening projects.
Pix, I knew what you meant, I just didn't want to give up the space.
Did you get to go (what is the opposite of on-board, off-board?) ahh, ashore when you go sailing? Did you actually get to go and lie on that rock? It looks a fine lying on rock.
Summerkid - no I don't always assign homework. Just suggestions for topics for this philosophy thread that I started. I enjoy hearing (reading) the thoughts of others and often that allows me to see things in a different light, so to speak. One thing that amazes me is people of dissimilar backgrounds coming together to share the love of one common thing. In our case, gardening. We all have varied lives, jobs, education, families, and histories - how cool is that? I enjoy the exchange of thoughts and information, and the occasional insights into other people's lives. For instance, Tills and her boots. Loved that.
I spent lots of time facilitating brainstorming and awareness sessions with clients when I was working, and I learned that solutions and ideas often come from unexpected sources. I think people need to really LISTEN to others.
Of course assignments are never ever mandatory!!! And Summer, following the story of your move to Oregon was so very interesting. Thank you for that!
Yes those rocks look like fine 'rock lying' territory. Were they cold? Slippery? Warm from the sun? I like big warm rocks.
That is so cool, Judi
Its and big world out there, and we all have are little piece of it. Past and present,
and to share is the best part. I am not the best at putting words together like most of you, sometimes I amaze my self, and thank goodness for spell check LOL
Joining DG was the best thing I ever did, I can say true to my heart.
Of all the wonderful people I have met (In person) and the ones I have yet to meet (one of these days) But we are a family of sorts. We all share a speical bond. Gardening and the love of each other.
I'm a non-philosophical heathen these days. After a lifetime of pondering, analyzing, refracting & didacting, it's best if I just drive down the road thinking nothing more than "oh, trees, pretty ... look! a duck! ... water ... shiny ..."
"Free and Easy Down the Road I Go."
LOL
Judi, I like the assignment (although I am in the same boat as Pixy...I would love to present my garden the way I dream of it being rather than the way that it is today) The good thing about the love of gardening is that we can look past the weeds and deadheading and spider mites and rust to see the overall world that someone has created. I am still trying to reclaim mine after a full year of neglect, and there are so many things that I wanted to get done before people visited that I have now resigned myself to realizing that "it is what it is" and there are lots of imperfections. The funnest thing in my estimate about visiting gardens of others is enjoying the very different gardening styles of others. Some are formal, some whimsical and free form, some focused on flowers, some on foilage and texture....and every mix in between. It is glorious to see what type of beauty people choose to surround themselves with.
All right, here's a question for y'all: Was there EVER a moment in your life when it all came together just the way you hoped & imagined? You were at the proper weight with killer fashion, witty as all get out, put out a feast that showcased your culinary skills AND the scent of lavender & roses wafted through the garden as dusk fell?
Or whatever. You get my drift.
Not this old kid, born in the city and hate it, spended my summers on a ranch. Give me a sweatty horse and slip in his poop and I am happy. In my younger days I would match any guy and even now I'm still strong, but age is wearing on me. Born and bread a tom boy, and don't care about dress codes never have.
I;m a ex bartender in a truck stop, and drove truck for 2 years. And I have never been so happy as I am now, It does come together, at some time. It maybe next week or 5 years down the road. We all carry a load of the past, but we have to get past it and move on. To bigger and better things, life is grand.
So if we all came into your garden tomorrow, you would feel peaceable & pleased? Rather than thinking, "Oh, it's not ready, I'm not worthy, bl-bl-bl-blah-ta-DA!"?
Nope, never a moment when things came together as I hoped or imagined, but have always been very content with the way things are. That's not to say, though, that I never stress about people coming over or anything like that, but it is fleeting, cuz I think that nobody is perfect, so just enjoy the situation. I was not an english major, can you tell?
If people showed up, I'd have a feeling of not being 'ready', but then would have fun.
