have is a "place" to be. A spot to retreat to in the cool of the afternoon, or the sunny shadows of morning. I can welcome the day from my place, or watch the stars appear, one by one.I've always known of the need we have to posess a 'place of one's own'. There is even a book by that title, about women, but called "A Room of One's Own". I subscribe to that idea, no matter how loving a relationship you are in. We enter the world alone(unless you are a twin I guess) and we will leave that same way, alone. In between, it's good, I think, to have and understand the value of solitude. A time and place where it is just you and your thoughts as the hours tick by. It doesn't have to preclude others, it just means "by invitation only".
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I lived alone here, before Ebby came. Almost 2 years. All of it is my space, and yet, I didn't have a 'place' that I recognized as such. I decided to create one for myself...a conscious effort to make what I wanted it to be, within the limitations of the space and place. My patio is small. Almost tiny, in fact. A mere 4 feet deep by 8 feet long. And within just half of it, I've made this space where I come with my morning coffee, or my sandwich at noon. With my stitching in the afternoon, or with just my thoughts in the late evening. I've added more plants this year, a humming birdfeeder and an old friend, my bell-tone wind chimes. At first I worried that the wind chime would disturb others. Then I realized most everyone out here wears hearing aids,
and rarely even hear the tornado sirens when they go off. So I hung the chimes. *VBS* I've missed them since I sold the house in 2002. I have pottery bowls of stones, I love stones. They follow me home, you know..*S* and last, but not least, I have Ebby. I worried so much at first, but being able to let her come outside with me. But I felt I would be so terrribly miserable if I COULDN'T be out in the fresh air and see what the world is up to, how could I do that to her? She's been wonderful about staying within eye sight of me, and if I come inside and she's out...she'll come in looking for me and meowing. I have everything I need, right here, in this little
corner. Recognition is the first step...*VBS*
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28 comments:
Everybody needs their "spot". My sister has a spot similar to yours. It's just a chair on the little concrete area leading to her front door. But she's planted her little flower bed and incorporated some of her angel sculptures in it and calls it her Angel Garden. And after a long day at work she'll sit there and just watch the world go by.
Now me while I don't have a fancy house (in fact I live in a mobile home) it is on a acreage in the country. And as soon as I evict the smoker from the back porch I'll be putting a bench it its place so I can sit and watch the cats play in the backyard as I sip my iced tea and read or sew a stitch or two. I figure life couldn't get much better than that. :-)
What a lovely post, Finn! And I agree, everyone needs their 'place'. Mine is usually on one of my two porches. The back porch is for watching the birds, the front porch is on the lake-side of the house and is where I'm at with my stitching and/or reading. It's my favorite place when the weather cools off and the lake people take their water (read noisy) toys and go home. :) Right now it's so hot here, and dry, and I'm trying to find 'my' spot here in the house. Yes, I do have a sewing room, but...well, I just can't seem to settle there to do handwork or read so I'm on a quest. :) Thank you for sharing your 'spot' in the world with us. :) Ebby really is just a precious addition to your life. :)
You have a wonderful place... and a loyal companion...
It is good to know what you need to make your spot "your's". I'm still struggling to figure out what needs to be in my space -- living with a teenage boy means much of the house is "mine", yet its shared space, and I simply live there....
This post made my day Finn :) Thanks! xoxo melzie
it's funny what you said about the wind chimes-I have a bunch around and always worried that they would bother folks-even though I'm fairly far from neighbors. I realized the reason that I don't mind the sound is that they remind me of the sound of the sailboats at our dock with lanyards and such hitting the masts in the wind. It's a great sound. I would miss it if I didn't live near the water. We bought some really big wind chimes in Amish country. Thay have to most beautiful sound-like music. Scratch that Ebby for me....and enjoy your lovely space. Sounds peaceful.
Beautiful post-and you have a wonderful spot and companion. Its the serenity, the alone-not-lonely quality that is so restorative.
Our little spot outside isn't much bigger but it's a great spot! Yours looks wonderful!
Thank you for your wonderful post today Finn...you always give us something to think about. You are so right...we all need our spot.
It's not the size of the spot but the joy you receive from being in it *s* I know I truly enjoy my little piece of the world - we don't have a big lot or huge square footage, but we fit in nice and comfortable. That allows us to use and enjoy every bit of it. Like Baby Bear's porridge - it's just right *s*
I couldn't agree more, its not about how much space you have, or how fancy it is...
What a lovely place, what more could you ask? Thanks for a thought provoking post. =)
now that i think about it, i dont have a space that is just mine..i am a wife and mom of four in a small house...ok maybe the bathroom if i lock the door...
i will have to sit and think of how i can create that kind of space for myself here.
hugs
Kate
http://homemakerkate2.blogspot.com
Thanks for visiting Finn! So we're neighbors so to speak! that is so cool! Thank goodness things have cooled down, have the temps gone down for you too?
you can reach me at
cottageartist@hotmail.com
if you'd like.
hugs
Kate
Aaaah, it's charming -- wish I could come over and set a spell with you!
How fun that Ebby's out exploring!
Jeanne :)
Wish I could share your space for just a little while,looks so peaceful and restful.With our kids gone (married), I have the whole house(well, DH and I ), sometime I would like a place of my own, to have my own thoughts. But I do still (after almost 50 years)enjoy sitting and talking to DH. We are best friends, but sometimes I think we all need our space!
Another lovely post Finn. I agree about a place for ones self, & even though married, I still value my precious 'alone' time. An animal to share it is ok, though!
Thanks for sharing your place Finn. And your thoughts about it. There's something so relaxing about patios, porches and verandahs (except for when your Golden Retriever is standing at the gate barking at the neighbour's cat which is sunning itself in their driveway on the other side of the road).
When DD leaves home and, more than likely, I shall be on my own, I plan to sell this huge pile of stones and buy something smaller and more manageable. Somewhere that I too can call my own. Until then I shamm just have to carry on sitting in my spot under the walnut tree with my sewing. Thanks for sharing your corner of the world.
Whoops that should be shall!
We each need a "space of our own" no matter the size. If everyone would take the time to stop and enjoy our space, and be grateful for it, I think this would be a more peaceful world. Thanks for sharing yours!!!
I like your place, Finn. Mine's a comfy couch where I spread out and more often than not eventually fall fast asleep.
Thank you for sharing about a space of your own. Interesting post - we moved in this house almost two years ago and I have yet to find a place to call my own. Yes, I have a sewing room but I need a "nest" and I don't have one in this house. We do have a beautiful screened in patio (aka Arizona room) but it's too hot to enjoy this time of year. And, I'm needing a "nest" inside my home. I've had every place else we've lived but not this one. When I think about it,it truly makes me sad so I try to make do. :-) Thanks for letting me share!
What a peaceful and wonderful spot you've created for yourself Finn. Oh my, I need one of those. A place for me, selfishly, completely mine. I love my family. I couldn't imagine my life without them, but I've been missing having someplace that is totally me. Thanks for reminding me to get off my duff and create it!
Love the pics of your corner of the world, Finn! And yes...we do have to create it for ourselves!
Ebby looks like she behaves like a lady should outdoors!
Ebby is just too darling. I know it's scary to let her out, so how wonderful that she is not going far afield.
Hi Finn!
I love reading your thoughts. Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home...
Oh, by the way, did you know that you rock! Read all about it on my blog today:
rockin'
Have a good one!
~susan
I loved this post. I read the book you referred to years ago. I understand the need for "a place". I am happily married for 40 years and sometimes "my place" is right in the same room as J with each of us doing our own thing.
Ebby looks a lot like my Smokey. He is declawed so the only way I'd let him out would be on a screened porch. I love wind chimes. You have all the elements needed. I hope you have a cushion and stool so you can put your feet up
Mama Bear
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