Sunday, August 31, 2008

September? September? September? Really?

We're entering September, and can anticipate the beginning
of one of the loveliest, showiest seasons!

Photos taken August 31, 2007
(American Pokeweed - Phytolacca americana)


This is something I found to Muse upon.
Hence, a Muse Day post.

"Simplicity in all things is the
secret of the
wilderness and one of its most
valuable lessons. It is
what we leave behind that is
important. I think the
matter of simplicity goes further
than just food,
equipment, and unnecessary
gadgets; it goes into
the matter of thoughts and
objectives as well.
When in the wilds, we must not
carry our problems
with us or the joy is lost."
---Sigurd Olson

Mark Twain was once asked if he wouldn't like to go off on holiday. He replied, "I'd be glad to, if only I didn't have to take that fella, Mark Twain, with me." Like Mark Twain, we often take "that fella" along with us when we go outdoors for recreation. our problems, worries, and other mental baggage usually tag along with us. Being so preoccupied with our internal world keeps us from feeling our unity with the natural world.

When you go out into nature, leave your everyday plans and concerns behind. Freeing yourself in this way will allow you to experience nature's cleansing and rejuvenating power.

the above was taken from Listening to Nature by Joseph Cornell

(Canada Thistle)

We are looking forward to a day with friends (tomorrow - Labor Day). I plan to take the above advice and not look ahead at the calendar until we return home. :-) For other Muse Day posts, visit Carolyn Gail at Sweet Home Chicago.

Have a fun day. Best regards. Shady G.

16 comments:

Gail said...

Wonderful sentiments and advice. Hope you had a great holiday visit with friends!

Gail

Linus said...

Hope you had a good Labor Day!

Cheryl

Iowa Victory Gardener said...

Hi Shady,
I was a bit aghast at seeing that pokeweed ... is it in your garden? We spent 3 years killing one of those that kept coming up in our front garden, but it's finally gone. We see it around in other yards, but so far, we've avoided a repeat...they are a neat looking plant, but not in our garden! We finally resorted to cutting it to a stump, putting salt on it and then sticking that big pot (the one with the castors you saw) on it, and that finally did the trick.

Excellent sentiments for a muse! It totally agree with your thoughts about losing oneself while outside, even if we are smack in the middle of town!

We had a great day yesterday and today was a bit on the hot side, but it was relaxing! Hope yours was a good one too!

Shady Gardener said...

Gail & Cheryl, We did have a fun time. These are friends that have a boat. It seems that this weekend, these past several years, we all pile in their boat and head for Rathbun Lake. It was a beautiful day... doing something atypical. ;-) (I'm not a swimmer, and have discovered that I'm just fine with a nice life vest and a long foam pole-thing. ha.

IVG, Oh! I should have mentioned that pokeweed is NOT in my yard! :-) It's out in the timber (a whole 'nuther piece of ground). Whew! It is beautiful, even so. Glad you've had some relaxing moments! You've been very busy lately.

Mr. McGregor's Daughter said...

Pokeweed is a very cool plant, if it's not in your yard. I like the poem, but it's not something I need to apply to myself. I get outside in the garden or at the forest preserve & I always forget about everything else, even things I need to do & think about. (Today's secret word is "bagvansa."

Shady Gardener said...

I know what you mean, but I thought it was good advice. There are times I need to take my own advice. ;-)

What is bagvansa? I'm probably missing something (often do)!

Anonymous said...

I tend to lose myself in the garden too although this is good advice if you don't. whatever is bothering me can be left behind as long as I'm doing something outdoors. Sounds like you had a fun weekend!

Shady Gardener said...

Hi Kathleen. Yep it was a fun weekend! Sometimes I wish I could be outdoors more often for longer stretches! I've got to quit scheduling my time!

Frances, said...

Hi Shady, the pokeweed says fall to me too. We have it around the edges of our property line and the birds love it. I just pull up any seedlings that sprout in the garden though it is a beautiful plant. I love all the Mark Twain quotes, they are timeless in their applications to all of us. And a happy bagvansa to you too!

Frances at Faire Garden

Sweet Home and Garden Carolina said...

Hi Shady,

Thanks for those words of wisdom and the lovely poem for GBMD. Hope you had a great Labor Day.

Anonymous said...

It is a good reminder to live in the moment! Thank you for that as sometimes, life gets so busy we forget.

Shady Gardener said...

Frances, I have to laugh! Oftentimes those verification letters one must type to leave a comment look like words! (Bagvansa was what MMD had to type the other day!) And I was worried I'd missed something. ha!

At least you can assure me that if I WERE to plant one, I could pull up the seedlings! (Don't think I'll do it, though). I enjoy Mark Twain's humor, too. :-)

Carolyn, You are so good to visit everyone who posts! I've enjoyed your recent photos of your gardens. :-)

Layanee, Thanks for stopping. I'm glad I'm not the only one who seems to get so busy. Have a great day!

Curmudgeon said...

I like the pokeweed! And the advice!
--Curmudgeon

Shady Gardener said...

WWW, Thanks for stopping by! The pokeweed really is beautiful... :-)

Anonymous said...

Food for thought! Losing oneself, while absorbed in all that nature has to offer, is a favorite pastime around these parts.

Beautiful pokeweed and thistle photos... both live adjacent to my gardens and are wonderful attractants to fruit eating birds and various pollinators. However, NIMBY! ...Deb

Shady Gardener said...

You're right, Deb. NIMBY! ;-)