The drizzle outside my window this morning illuminated my houseplants. There was a gentle softness to everything. A foggy morning, bringing out the essential shapes of things...simplifying the landscape. I lingered for a long time, watching the rain fall so slightly it was almost invisible. And I would have been content to stay there even longer, next to my window... but I wanted to feel the rain. Smell the freshness of the mild coastal air.
So I went exploring.
I knew it was going to bring me gifts, this charming morning. As I drove toward my destination, the woman in the car in front of me, while waiting at a red light, made huge swooping movements with her arms as though she was conducting a symphony outside her windshield. I smiled at her through her rearview mirror...how could I not? She was not entertaining a child in the car, or laughing with another girlfriend....she was alone. Undoubtedly immersing herself in a piece of music that truly moved her.
I abandoned my car next to the ocean and walked up a street lined with beautiful character homes. Victoria is brimming with neighbourhoods like this. I like to walk and dream about my future life when I own a home like this. If it never becomes a reality, well, it's a beautiful dream for the here and now.
Garden flowers may be withering, heavy with Autumn rain, but seed pods are bulging with potential, waiting for their moment to burst open and bring new beginnings to spring pending.
And the ethereal lightness of others...like a warm breath on the dewy air.
Yet, there are still hints of colour. Blooms, not quite ready to call it a day.
Someone left their heart on a wooden pole. A bit worn and scratched, this heart has a story. Hopefully, the romantic soul who left it there hasn't abandoned love completely. They look like surface wounds. Nothing a little time and tenderness won't heal.
And now as the soft light evolves into darkness, I am grateful I stepped into the drizzle. There is a beauty in the greyness, a day most appreciated by a woman and her love of symphonic melodies... and a girl and her love of rainwater.
Such a beautiful post Jaime! And your photos ~ gorgeous as always.
ReplyDeleteI've never been to Victoria (only Vancouver) but would oh so love to go. It must be heavenly living somewhere that there is no snow, with mild temperatures all year long. Even with all the rain you get, I would take it over the snow.
It makes one wonder why they are choosing to live in the cold prairies. sigh... Perhaps when hubby and I retire we will take winter retreats to your lovely province. :)
Hope you are having a wonderful weekend friend!
xo Catherine
I feel so connected to your words. It's like you see inside my heart sometimes. I had the same kind of magic day. I was compelled to go to the beach. I cried all the way there, still trying to heal my broken heart. It was dark, the sky was ominous but as I walked out onto the sand bar, the sun spilled forth, terns wheeled around me, gulls walked along side me, a beautiful eagle soared overhead and then I looked down...sand dollars EVERYWHERE! I lifted my face to the sun and cried with happiness. It was THAT beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI'm so grateful for your blogs. Your spirit moves me. xo
Hope you are having a nice weekend, Jamie. I visited the beach just the other day. It always is such a great experience, even though the beach I visit is crowded (Mumbai is a crowded city). Yet, at the beach,no matter how crowded- we each have our own space and can converse with the universe, our own way!.
ReplyDeleteoh jamie....those last two photos are honestly, the best i have seen lately, anywhere.....
ReplyDeletethanks for filling my morning with beauty.
Jaime, you are such a talent. I'm so lucky to know you, blog friend.
ReplyDeleteCxx
Such lovely, evocative words! And I do hope you will get the home of your dreams someday!
ReplyDeleteBy the way, my captcha for this post is the Romanized form of "lotus root" in Japanese--thought you might find that interesting.
What a beautiful post. I love the woman in the car with her movements. It is times like that when I truly fall in love with people. We're all so perfectly quirky. I wish everyone (self included) felt forever free to express fully.
ReplyDeleteThe words you used to portray the worn heart are soul touching.
All the pictures are so lovely. What a wonderful day you have shared with us. Thank you for that.
Always something special about the softness of rain..the mist..the colors. And - what a great find. Love the sweet little heart. A message - for sure!
ReplyDeleteI want to visit Victoria someday. I've heard that Vancouver/Victoria are dog-friendly, so I keep thinking that maybe puppy and me can make a road trip.
ReplyDeleteA house with spring blossoms outside the window. Happiness.
I was driving to the library the other day and looked in my rearview mirror while I was at the stop light. There was an older gentleman in a small truck, bobbing his head to the music and occasionally singing along. It made me very happy.
How lovely and beautiful
ReplyDeleteHi :) I just wanted to tell you that I really love your photographs :D They are so light and bright, and very dreamy. Thank you for sharing them with us!
ReplyDeletewhat loveliness lay right outside your door. those almost-there colors - my very favorites, the ones you can't quite name. and that heart! oh. be still my own.
ReplyDeletexoxo
Debi
Oh, I love that woman. And the rainwater girl. I love the woman's exuberance. I love the girl's words, her open heart, and her images.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a beautiful post. I am so glad that my recent posts have resonated with you... This resonates with me today. Why is it that women seem to appreciate the beauty of the greyness?
ReplyDeleteYour photos bring me much happiness.
xoxo
Such a beautiful blog and surreal pictures! keep up the good work!
ReplyDeletesoftness is just what i needed this evening..such simple beauty!
ReplyDeletei loved this post. reading it this morning as the rain falls outside my window you helped me escape to a beautiful place. there is such a delicate softness in each of these images that I just love.
ReplyDeleteSo lovely, Jaime. =) I have a deep love of the rain that comes from my childhood in Texas--although it is a very different kind of rain, torrential and warm and full of thunder and lightning. But I would go outside and stand in my driveway for hours in those storms, and it was always magical. I love the magic you have uncovered here.
ReplyDelete