As I tried to figure out what I would write about for Q, I ran through and mentally crossed-off a number of words.
Quercus alba, the mighty White Oak. Love that tree. Love the shape, the branching habit, the shade, the security and protection it provides. But what else?
What about Quaking Aspen? Another tree. I think of this as a fun tree. Quaking Aspens remind me of camping. I love how their leaves rustle in the wind because of their flat petioles. They make me smile. But not inspiring enough to write much about, at least not today.
Quince. Quince starts with Q. Don’t grow it. Wrong climate. Have never even eaten it. Note to self: Need to try quince. Move on.
What else could I write about? What other Q is there? I gaze out the window. I start to drift off, daydream. It’s overcast and in the upper 40s today, not exactly tropical, although they say those days are coming our way again next week. There’s something about cool days, particularly in the spring, that I find calming. There’s so much energy in the spring. So much activity in plants and trees, animals and people. Spring is the beginning of so many things. There’s so much going on that I sometimes find myself getting agitated from all of the energy. I feel like a circuit that gets overloaded. At some point it’s just too much and a fuse blows. But the weather today changed all of that. Something got unplugged, everything is calm. The cool, overcast weather slowed the energy, providing calm in the midst of a surge. This gray day is providing quiet. And sometimes quiet is the best gift we can receive.
Quiet. Tranquility. Peacefulness.
As I sit, at this moment, heat is blowing on my feet, my shoulders are wrapped in an afghan and a cup of tea warms my hands. And I hear nothing. A clock ticking, the furnace running, the house creaking. Small comforting sounds, but mostly I hear nothing, just quiet.
Out the window the branches of the trees gently sway in the breeze. Slow, peaceful movements. I’m relaxed.
I meditate on quiet. I close my eyes, and breathe. Slow, deep breaths. I’m warm. I’m comfortable. All of the tension and agitation float away. Everything is okay. I’m okay. I find peace… and quiet. And I’m blessed. Today I’ve been given the gift of quiet.
Kate
Walnuts n Pears 