Was it Beauregard??
So, what's the second resolution?
Heck. I can't remember.
As I was going through my photo files the other day (see previous post) I started pondering all the photos that I took here on my property. And I said (to myself, of course)
"How many other people have this much beauty in their own back yard?"
All I have to do is step out my door and I see amazing stuff.
Living here has been an extreme challenge for me.
The house is a dump compared to what I'm used to. The complications and inconveniences of rural living are profound (especially with my increasing health problems).
BUT - - -
every time I look outside and savor my surroundings, I'm glad that I'm here.
I have peace. I have privacy. Little by little I can try to conquer the problems. Difficult things can't be accomplished in a day. But there's hope.
Random glimpses of my private domain.
One of my favorite photos - evening clouds after a huge storm.
More clouds from the same storm
Rainbow after the storm
(but where's the pot of gold?)
(but where's the pot of gold?)
This is the cow pasture adjacent to my property. When I saw the rainbow, I grabbed my camera and ran.
The forest in my back yard in autumnal glory
Sunrise on misty morning
Winter sunset
Winter wonderland
Spring
Summer
a rather uninteresting time for photos -
greenery, weeds, and bugs
It's not easy to get a clear shot of the moon.
As much as I hate spiders, their webs are fascinating works of art.
My favorite picture is the winter sunset, but I love all the ones with the sun peeking through. I understand about the desire for privacy. We live in the suburbs and it's hard to find a house where you can't see into your neighbor's window. Took us about a year to find this house, which has a wooded lot between us and the neighbors in back.
ReplyDeleteAfter having a lifetime of living nearly on top of annoying neighbors, I vowed that when I moved to Tennessee I never wanted to be near neighbors again. Well....I got my wish. There are good and bad aspects to being in a rural area. I think I'll stay and make the best of it, before making another rash move.
DeleteWowza on that first photo! My favorites, however, are the two Winter Wonderland scenes. (I'd hate to imagine what Freud would say …)
ReplyDeleteI have to admit (reluctantly) you make excellent points for staying right where you are. Peace and quiet … invaluable.
I had lots of nice winter photos and was reluctant to only choose two. Someday I'll do an all snow post just for you.
DeleteDespite the many inconveniences of rural life, I do greatly value the peace and privacy. I'd rather deal with cows than people....
So, you really plan to sell and move? With all the house and health issues you've had that is not a bad idea at all. Less stress. There might be more noise from neighbors, traffic, or whatever--but still much less stress if you find a place closer to or in a town that is in decent shape. You'll miss the solitude of the country...but it is amazing how much solitude one can have even in an apartment in town. ;)
ReplyDeleteI initially planned to sell and return to "civilization", but then I had second thoughts. I already moved so many times in my life that I think another one would kill me. I'm going to stay put for awhile longer and see if I can overcome the "problems" in a logical way.
DeleteUnfortunately, nothing in life is easy....
Love all your pictures and what a beautiful sight to wake up to. I like things quite but not wanting to live that far back in the woods. It's not all that much noise here where I live its on a back road with a circle so mostly neighbors moving around. I live less than a mile from down town. My worry would be if I fell that no one would find me for days. We would lose our mind if we let these things worry us.(smile) Take care, Jean.
ReplyDeleteI have the same worry as you - - if something ever happened, no one would find me (possibly for months). It's a scary thought. You're fortunate to live only a mile from town. One of my biggest frustrations is having to drive so far to go shopping.
DeleteI'm a chronic worrier...and it doesn't help things.
I have to shake my head at how I botched my comment on your previous post. I forgot to delete the last sentence ... oh, well. It can be a difficult choice when it comes to where we want to live. Rural living does have has its advantages for you, while someplace closer to civilization may also be beneficial to you in other ways.
ReplyDeleteI've found that no place is perfect after way too many moves during my lifetime. I never bonded with any place long enough to feel at home. Not only that, but your spirit becomes restless. If you feel comfortable ( for the most part ) I'd recommend staying put. Like you said - over time you can conquer one problem after the other. That's a good approach ... positive attitude and hope.
These pictures are all beautiful from your private domain. Location, location.
Thanks for letting me know about Dylan. I left him a comment over the holidays not knowing if he'd get it or not. I miss him. He's got a place in my heart, as he does in yours I'm sure.
Helga, your previous comment seemed fine to me. I am notorious for making mistakes when I leave comments on blogs.
DeleteI can FULLY identify with what you said about moving. One of my biggest regrets in life is that I moved so many times. And when I was a child my parents moved frequently. I never bonded with any place, either - and never felt like I belonged....it's an empty feeling to be a wanderer.
After careful consideration, I think it's best to stay here for now and slowly work out the problems one at a time. I'd probably regret doing anything rash.
Dylan is a sweet and sensitive soul who seems to understand me and my quirks with uncanny accuracy. (that's a rare feat).
Admittedly, Jon, you are living in a place with so much natural beauty and these photos are simply amazing. And I can understand that the privacy and rural living are good things, but to a point. I too enjoy being alone and find that even living in a city, it's possible to find solitude yet be within reach of help when needed. Our last home was in a town of 500 people and we did have neighbors, but most people tended to themselves unless contacted. It's much the same in this mill apt, only we have many MORE neighbors. In fact, amazingly there's nearly many as in that entire VA town. What I am trying to say very badly is that living in total isolation is not a good thing if and when some help is needed. I liked your 1st resolution and who needs to remember the 2nd one after that one?
ReplyDeleteI have mixed feelings about living here - I never realized that rural life had so many "challenges". I'm not exactly ancient, but I think I would do much better here if I were 20 years younger. And I do have serious problems with my back, which makes it very difficult to get around. Being isolated at any age isn't exactly a good idea.
DeleteDespite the negatives, I think I'm going to stay here for awhile longer and see if I can slowly conquer the problems. I've moved so many previous times, that the thought of doing it again is daunting.
One of my biggest concerns right now is that I don't have a cell phone (but I do have a landline phone). I tried two new cell phones and neither one could pick up a signal out here. I'm going to try a more expensive one....perhaps the third will be the charm.
that rainbow photo gave me cause to pause today. breathtaking. you do indeed have a beautiful view of all things from your humble abode. it has to brighten your mood, just a little to be in the middle of nature like you are. something to hold onto as you struggle with all the ups and downs life keeps throwing in your way. i can remember feeling so bad because of my health woes that i was just so damn depressed i would never feel normal again... when i saw the most magnificant sunrise. it took my breath away. it changed my outlook completely. unfortunately i had to drive to see it. but look at you there with those awesome views surrounding you. a little bit of heaven on your doorstep. hang in there and relish these small moments. they are worth their weight in gold.
ReplyDeleteIt's no secret that I hate all the inconveniences and "challenges" of rural life - but the surrounding beauty of nature makes it all worth while. As you said, the beauty is worth its weight in gold.
DeleteNo matter what our problems may be, the glorious wonders of nature give us the strength to keep hanging on.
I'm thinking of that night when you saw the deer - remember that?
i do remember and always will. that deer was one of those special moments that come once in a lifetime. and is a game changer. that wonderful creature was on my own home turf and when we looked straight into the others eyes. we were sympatico. the sunrise was particularly beautiful as i watched it from a parked car. but in retrospect doesn't compare.
DeleteWhat a spectacular setting! Like all of us though, you have to weigh the plusses and minuses of living where you do, and figure out what's best for you(and your health). I know that my two story house will probably not fit me in a decade or so. (or sooner)
ReplyDeleteI've had a long-time dream of living in the wilderness, but my romanticized version never considered all the negatives. I wish I were younger, minus the health problems. I suppose I'll stay put for awhile and manage as best I can.
DeleteI'm sure that eventually the minuses will force me to leave.
"Beauregard?" My French is a little rusty but I know a compound word when I see one. Beau regard translates to Beautiful eyes, and I've learned from this and your other photos that you definitely have an eye for beauty --perhaps two.
ReplyDeleteBeauregard was the only name I could think of at the moment. I had no idea what it means. My two eyes are annoyingly myopic - but that has never stopped me from appreciating beauty. Thanks, Geo.
DeleteThat's what I love about living in the country: I can go to the north side of our trailer house and see not a sign of a human anywhere. I might see a deer, a groundhog, a raccoon or possum, but not one human. I can go for a walk with my dog and be in the woods in five minutes, a place I love to inhabit. It's inconvenient, but I have SPACE here, room to breath, a place where nobody but God can judge me. If I ever have to move to old folks' housing, I'll take the move gracefully... but my heart will be breaking.
ReplyDelete"A place where nobody but God can judge me"
DeleteI love that sentiment, Donna - it's so true.
I lived with annoying neighbors my entire life. In Texas I had to contend with drug dealers, prostitutes, and illegal aliens with 25 people in one house.
I vowed that, when I moved, I never wanted to live near people again. Despite the problems, I'll take a rural area any day...
Hi Jon,
ReplyDeleteI have tried many, many times to post a comment on your blog. I now see that I can comment anonymously so will try that!
Hi, I recently changed my blog settings to allow anonymous comments.
Delete