Apr 112010
This week's focus: looking up!
“This is my ‘depressed stance.’ When you’re depressed, it makes a lot of difference how you stand. The worst thing you can do is straighten up and hold your head high because then you’ll start to feel better. If you’re going to get any joy out of being depressed, you’ve got to stand like this.”
~Charlie Brown
Lately, I’ve been looking up again — both literally and metaphorically. Maybe the physical act of lifting one’s face to the sun, basking in its sweet golden warmth over and over again, inspires the mood to lift in concert. In any case, I could not resist the urge to look at the millions of new baby leaves, each one unfurling its bright fabric rapidly, as eager soak up the spring rays as me.
PDF 31 Responses to “focus: week fourteen”
Comments (31)
Lovely, lovely, lovely!
Sheila´s last blog ..Swaying Scabiosa
I couldn’t agree more, Sheila.
Nature – the best mood enhancer of all.
Lynn´s last blog ..The pollen, down came the rain and the long way
Which is why we’re all walking around grinning goofily at one another, I suppose, Lynn — either that or our allergy medications have drugged us into a contented stupor.
Beautiful leaves, and I’m particularly fond of maples. Although I must admit, if you hadn’t told me it was a spring photo, the colors are very reminiscent of fall.
Curbstone Valley Farm´s last blog ..Feathering In
The colors do echo their fall versions, CV. But that pale peachy tone with buff highlights and the almost candy-apple red don’t seem at all like fall to me.
Fall would be more orange/rust/gold. But who cares about these tiny differences? It’s spring!
Dear Meredith, With so much looking up to be done, you might find it very difficult to continue being depressed! This time of year is so joyous that one really cannot help but feel one’s spirits lifted and I do so hope that this is the same for you.
I do like your rather Alice in Wonderland images of feeling very small and gazing upwards to something soaring up above. The Acer is really wonderful but could,as CV says, be an autumnal view.
I hope that your week goes well.
Edith Hope´s last blog ..Partying the Spring Away
Oh, Edith, I hope I did not give the wrong impression. I’m hardly feeling depressed. I just liked the Charlie Brown quote and wondered if throwing my head straight back, as far as my neck will bend, might be affecting my outlook if, as Charlie suggests, merely standing up straight will have an effect.
I’m glad you felt a bit of Alice in the imagery lately. I’m a fan of those books (altho not of the recent movie, ugh!) and find much to resonate with in her wide-eyed wonder when confronted with the Beauty and oddity and even cruelty of nature.
If you ever feel down try Marmite – that’s my advice. Hmm..you may not be able to find it in Georgia, tho. BTW do feel free to follo my blog as it would be nice to get my figure up to the huge total of 15.
David Macaulay´s last blog ..An unhealthy addiction to Twiglets
LOL, David. You know, I’m not sure if you Blogger bloggers realize people do follow you via RSS feed sometimes, too. (That’s how I magically intuit that there’s a new, fabulously witty post afoot over there.) But I’ll click your follower button if the symbolism of the thing makes you feel reassured.
Meredith, your leaves are breathtaking! Great photo! I like CB too. : ) I’ve often noticed that my mood mirrors my attire. If I’m feeling down, the worst thing to wear is sweats…better to dress up…it works most of the time! But my blooms ALWAYS put a smile on my face and a warm glow in my heart.
kimberly´s last blog ..What’s Next Madonna?
I would say thank you, Kimberly, but I really don’t feel I can take credit for Mother Nature’s handiwork.
Clothing does probably affect mood sometimes — altho when I put on my rattiest old, torn, stained clothes I feel fantastic, because I know I’m headed out for some serious garden work.
hachoo! even with the yellow blankets nothing is more calming, focusing and anti charlie brown then sitting outside in the morning sunshine.
Jess´s last blog ..The Ever Blooming Garden – All At Once
Bless you, Jess. A little morning sun does wonders for the soul.
I love taking photos like this. There is something uplifting about trees and the sky! This reminds me I haven’t had my garden walk of the day yet. Must do that in a minute!
debsgarden´s last blog ..No Skeletons at This Party
Hope you got your garden walk in before sundown, Deb. This time of year it is a shame to miss a minute!
Ah, dear Charlie Brown.
I love the colors here; they do seem a bit like fall. Nature is the best mood-lifter of all.
elizabeth´s last blog ..ode to joy, volume 14
Well, there’s two votes for autumn in a spring picture. I’ll quit pointing out why it’s not so. Why shouldn’t the seasons mimic and echo one another anyway?
awww, love the Charlie Brown quote. Beautiful colors in this photograph!
All the dogwoods are in bloom and I keep thinking of you and your ability to look closely!
Wendy´s last blog ..Growing, Buying, Cooking: Water Chestnuts
I’m glad you liked it, Wendy. Gardening — and maybe life, not yet sure — seems to be all about observation sometimes.
Dear Charlie Brown was so wise even in his very Charlie Browness! I love to lie down in the garden and look up through the leaves at the sky…of course it gets even better in the fall! It’s hard to beat these maple leaves for coloring the world wonderful. gail
Gail´s last blog ..Container Hope
Gail, I’m hoping to do exactly that today. The ground is finally a bit dried out from our last rainstorm, and the pollen not *too* horrible. It’s time to lay around under the trees and let the grass tickle my neck.
It’s so lovely to see the leaves again! I’ve missed them. Only a few trees (mostly the willows) have unfurled here, but there’s a softening in the woods that foretells many many more to come. Poor Charlie Brown – he really knew how to enjoy a good depressed state. He’s right though – one glance up and his mood would definitely lift.
Our Japanese maple hasn’t opened yet, but hopefully the weather will even out and we’ll enjoy the burgundy color soon. I miss seeing the color wash in the living room when the sunshine beams on the leaves.
Talon´s last blog ..The Ghost in My House…
Oh, I know exactly that moment you speak of, Talon, where “there’s a softening in the woods.” We had it a few weeks back, and it seemed to go on forever, suspended at the barely-there stage — and then suddenly everything burst at once! I’m glad you have the wonders of a Japanese maple to look forward to. They are so lovely in spring.
So glad you’re putting your face back in the sun. It’s really hard some days, but glad you’re better <3
Oh, hon, the sun will come soon to Chicago, and spring must already be arriving there, if at a creeping pace. I hope it’s not so hard for much longer…
What a sweet quote from Charlie Brown! I will have to go back to your other posts to understand … lovely to think of the leaves enjoying soaking up the sun as much as we do. So true about standing tall and straight and looking up … that we might feel better. I hope you are happy in spring … sometimes all the fresh new life can be a bit hard to take if things are not as we might wish in our world and life. Beautiful light, color and movement in your photo! Thank you dear Meredith for your caring words over at Flower Hill. Carol
Carolflowerhillfarm´s last blog ..One Small Step Into Spring and Blogging Again!
Isn’t that quote adorable, Carol? I was just discussing Schultz’s biography with a friend who loves Peanuts on Friday night, how he seemed almost to revel in his depressed state sometimes, and then I stumbled across Charlie Brown’s thoughts and they seemed a perfect foil for the natural focus on “looking up” this week — although I fear I’ve given some folks the feeling that I’m depressed. Winter does get me a little down — but spring is right behind to rejuvenate my spirits!
I do hope you’re feeling rejuvenated physically after your long illness, Carol, and that the fresh new life is not distressing you. Flower Hill Farm is looking radiant and joyful lately.
It’s lovely to look up through those fresh spring leaves Meredith. I feel a bit like spring is like coming out of hibernation when it happens here, and we don’t have anything like your winters! I hope your spirits continue to lift with everything bursting into life around you
I can’t imagine no winters, Heidi, even though a friend from Canada once scoffed that we have no winter in the South, and F. tends to concur, most recently denigrating it as a “brown non-season.” Still, the bitter cold is gone, the birds are singing, the land is full of newborn wonders, and the sun is bright. That should cause any human being to rejoice.
Hi Meredith~~ Sorry I’ve been away from your blog so long.
I think among other things, it’s the vitamin D. At any rate, I’m glad you’re doing better. Me too. No more winter, yay!!!