Today I join my fellow bloggers in "serving up a slice"
to the Tuesday Slice of Life sponsored by Two Writing Teachers.
I'm one of those folks who struggles with never having enough time in the day, so I vacillate between doing the onerous task of grocery shopping first thing on Saturday morning or doing it later in the afternoon when I've run out of steam for other tasks. This past Saturday I attacked the papers to be graded early in the day, posted to Saturday celebrations, graded some more, and suddenly, it was time to squeeze in the weekly trip to the store before cooking dinner and taking care of preparations for Sunday. Knowing that I was running late and that dinner would be later than usual, I dash out of the house for a quick trip to the QFC.
As I pull onto the road, I glance to my left and spy a gorgeous red sunset. I manage to steal several quick glimpses through breaks in the trees before reaching the road where I usually turn right for the grocery store.
I decide to squeeze in a quick detour and continue up the road toward my friend Renae's house. Several years ago, my son showed me a lovely vantage point from her road for viewing the lake and the setting sun. I stop there, pull onto a side road, and snap a few pictures. It's at times like this that I wish I was a skilled photographer so that I could capture what my eye sees! Although my picture doesn't do justice to the gorgeous red of the setting sun, it can visually prompt me to recall this moment in time so I can revisit it often. I sigh with contentment and gratitude for this moment and head to the grocery store.
However, my car develops a mind of its own and makes a left turn toward the water. I find myself searching the side roads for a small, public pocket park. After several wrong turns into private drives, I find the spot I'm searching for, park my car, and amble down a rock path to the water. And there I'm treated to a few more moments with my serendipitous Saturday sunset. And that's when I settle on my OLW for 2014 from a list of several words that I have been considering. I'll write more about my OLW later, but for now, pause and SAVOR the view with me!
You were so right to detour to view the sunset. Beautiful. Great that you found your word. Maria Selke has also chosen SAVOR as her OLW http://www.mariaselke.com/2014/01/one-little-word-or-theme.html
ReplyDeleteBeautiful sunset! So glad you took this detour to SAVOR! I'm reading a book right now, ONE THOUSAND GIFTS, by Ann Voskamp, about keeping a gratitude journal, to teach myself to really savor all that I have been given. I am totally loving the book-- you might enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, Ramona. It was not serendipitous that your car made those unplanned turns! It was meant to be. Enjoy the moment. Be present n the hear and now. Looking forward to reading about your OLW.
ReplyDeleteBRAVO Ramona!!!!
ReplyDeleteI get the sense from reading your posts that this is a big issue for you, just making time for that red sunset without feeling guilty about what you are not doing. Even in retirement, when I have control over what I do, I still feel guilty in the moment, that I have other things to do.
So every time I see you race to post a slice just before time is up, know I'm going to read it, no matter what.
I'm so happy you made the choice to chase the sunset. Keep chasing and breathing in the moments. It's good for you :)
Picturing the sun setting over the "farthest reaches" of the lower 48 reminds me of the song we learned as children. Merry Sunshine had spent her day watching over the United States and now it was time for her to visit her little children of the East who were already awake and watching for her. Not me! No sir! I let the sun wake me up. But you, you over achiever, you've gotta get up before the sun to get everything accomplished! Bravo, for taking time to stop. I favor the savor!
ReplyDeleteWow Ramona! What a sunset to savor! This is a good word for you to embrace when life starts to pick up speed. Savor and share these moments.
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm so happy that you took that detour, Ramona. Thank you for the gorgeous view. There is nothing nicer than sunsets over water!
ReplyDeleteSavor...what a lovely word to guide you this year. The pictures are beautiful, maybe a hint of the beauty that is coming your way this year.
ReplyDeletePerfect view, perfect word. So glad that you paused to do this, Ramaona...and that you shared the views with us.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely breathtaking photos. I would savor this view any day! I believe that you have chosen well your word for the year. I look forward to reading more on how you savor this year.
ReplyDeleteRamona,
ReplyDeleteI love love love your word. It will make for a wonderful year. The nearby view is beautiful. I'm thinking it yells "writing spot." I had to smile when you said you wish you were a better photographer. I think that a million times a week although I usually blame my camera. It's just a little phone camera after all. LOL I feel that way about my words too. Sometimes when a picture can't capture the beauty I try to find the words, but they are never there either. Someday....
Savor,
Cathy
I don't how I missed this Tuesday. The pictures are gorgeous. I see how you were drawn the other way. And what a unique one little word. I can't wait to read about how you savor 2014.
ReplyDelete