Monday, 9:06 p.m.
My workday is complete, dinner dishes are washed and I’m lounging in a hammock on the screened porch. My parents gave me this hammock, a long ago Fathers Day gift that my dad never used.
It was in their way but it now holds a prominent position on my back porch. I just set it up over the Independence Day weekend and it has quickly become my new favorite hangout. From here, I can see trees and a slice of sky. From here, the birds and crickets, katydids and frogs are my only companions during many hours of the day.
After work tonight, I braved the heat to relax and read a magazine until I drifted off to sleep. It was hot but something about this hammock relaxes me and alleviates muscle pain. A short nap was exactly what I needed on this very long Monday.
That break was necessary and nice but not nearly as pleasant as this midsummer evening.
The air has cooled and the humidity has dissipated, almost like magic. A light breeze causes the treetops to sway and produces a gentle sound amongst the leaves. The shorts and tank top that were appropriate just minutes ago suddenly seem inadequate.
At 9:15 pm on July 11, it’s still light out but not light enough to continue reading my book. I do have white twinkle lights hung along the ceiling but getting up to turn them on would ruin the mood. Besides, the lightning bugs are just gearing up for their evening show and I hate to detract from their efforts.
I sit now in near darkness, except of course, for the light of my phone. An opossum just silently scurried past the porch. He paid me no mind but I wished him well. They eat ticks, small rodents and even prey on snakes. They are so ugly they’re cute and I welcome this night shift worker into my yard to help maintain my peaceful little habitat.
The birds are mostly quiet now, replaced by the gentle hum of locusts and occasional call of a distant Great Horned Owl. In the darkness, I can better appreciate the aromas of pine and soil and some kind of decaying wood.
Yes. This is my happy place and I am grateful for it.
As long as I’m expressing gratitude, I am grateful that these simple pleasures are even more luxurious to me than a day at the spa. This, my friends, is self care at its finest.
It sounds like the perfect spot, Brandi! For me it’s the balcony off my bedroom. From there I can see the forrest and listen to thhe babble of the little river running by. Of course I love looking at tthe night sky as well! I always feel in my element there. …Cailín
Isn’t it wonderful finding that special place that feels all your own where the streams and creatures and wind speak their secret language?
Yes it is. Sometimes it’s exactly what I need! …Cailín
Same here!
I liked reading all the descriptions of your perfect place.😊 I have a little “living room” outside with some colored lights hung up. I don’t get out there in the evenings enough. The lizards apparently use the furniture constantly, though – lizard poop everywhere!
It’s nice of you to provide them with such a special place to relax!
That’s me – a lizard’s best friend!
Haha. Lizard lover!
And to follow up on my previous comment: I was brushing lizard mess off the cushions and looked up at the string of lights and saw a ball of something wrapped around the wiring. It was a hummingbird nest! Sadly vacant now. I had seen the mom hovering there (right outside my office window), but had just thought she was checking the lights, thinking they were flowers, as I’ve seen them do before. Bummed I missed the action!
Oh, no! That is a shame. What a treat it would have been to see her with her young!
It’s such a darling nest, but I don’t think I can take it down without destroying it.
Hmm. That’s sad, especially given how hard she worked to make it.