Humor, Soul Homework

From Where I’m Sitting

Writer McWriterson

On the Fourth of July, I was walking around my backyard with Biscuits and I mentioned to Mike how lovely everything is in our yard this time of year. Last year, I was dealing with the end of my perimenopause, migraines, a pandemic, and a slew of other issues. I had only recently started taking my antidepressants, so I was exhausted physically from the modifications.

I hadn’t seen the good yet. I was mentally and physically weary after all I’d gone through. Not being able to see my family and friends regularly made me feel as though I were alone on a deserted island. It’s quite dark when you’re in that space. Light simply does not pass through. It’s like trying to keep the sun shining through curtains of black felt.

Last July, I was the black felt curtains.

This year, I look out at my yard and see the big trees we planted the first fall we moved into our house. They are now 16 years old and they provide shade and privacy in addition to being majestic and gorgeous. I can see the playhouse in the corner near the fence that my daughters constantly joke about getting rid of, but I know they want it there as a reminder of their childhood. I do too.

I notice the fire pit that my husband lovingly built last spring, before my migraines began to worsen. The area where he sat alone last summer, listening to music and drinking beers. I’m sure he wondered where his wife had gone and perhaps a few prayers were whispered.

But this year, I see a space that we are jointly creating. I proposed that we make it a native wildflower garden/fire pit, combining both of our interests. So that when we sit out here together, roasting marshmallows, drinking our elixirs, and planning our future, we can see what we constructed on a budget with love, together.

From where I’m sitting, I can hear hope. The birds who sing cheerful tunes, the cardinals who make me feel like a superstar with their presence, the dogs who yip their hellos to each other over the fences, the children who play and laugh in the neighbor’s pool. I hear people on their patios speaking a variety of languages and listen to foreign music. It’s hypnotic and captivating and right.

I glance at the stain on the fence panel that resembles an angel. I like to imagine her (or him) protecting our yard and maybe even our lives. From where I’m sitting, it makes me feel like everything will be okay. Maybe it’s a false sense of security, or maybe it’s optimism. Something I haven’t had in a long time from where I’m sitting.

Tell me about the view from where you’re seated. This is when I wish you could share pictures to my comment section. But tell me about your views.

45 thoughts on “From Where I’m Sitting”

  1. Yes, last year put us all through the wringer. It made me even more glad we live in a beautiful area with a few private acres to call our own. I’ve always found being close to nature soothing to the soul. Your yard looks lovely and quite inviting. Breathe deep… and enjoy.
    😊

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  2. We have no outdoor space and our apartment’s windows look out onto a car park. It was an active choice on our part as we both work long hours & don’t have the time (or an interest in gardening) to maintain one. Admittedly, we didn’t expect what was to come at the time 🙂 Instead I’ve put energy in to the view from my desk which is where I spend much of my time. Bright prints of the coast, some artwork by a talented friend, and my vision board 🙂 I’m very happy with it and don’t worry about the view outside the window, which I’m shielded from by a pretty embroidered curtain. You just got to work with what you got!

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    1. I love your willingness to make do with what you have! Surrounding yourself with a vision board of concepts you want to manifest in your life and enjoying artistry created by someone you care about. That is a beautiful view you have there, in my opinion. Thank you for taking the time to share it with me today. 🙂

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  3. I am at my desk, which is one of my favorite spots. I have some books and my planner on the shelf. I have an art calendar where I flip to a new work every day, and a quote calendar. I have postcards from museums I’ve visited, a diffuser with lemon oil, and a tea mug that broke but I love the quote so much I keep it on the desk. I have a best mom vase filled with dried lavender, some cat figurines I’ve found on vacation, pictures of my daughter, my pets and my best friends. Also…wireless headphones!!!!

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  4. Your yard is beautiful. I am sitting at a small round table in our casita against a widow with a view of our backyard and a wash behind it. I’m watching quail, woodpeckers and a bright red cardinal.

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  5. At this very moment. My view is an older 60 something coworker sitting on a couch in the breakroom eating doritos and checking his phone, in a recliner is a 20 something coworker listening to tunes on his phone, behind him the honor system snack shelves and an employee refrigerator. So great views lol

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  6. What a lovely yard!
    I went the opposite direction… the backyard was cleaned and nice last summer. This year I left it to it’s own devices to avoid scaring the kittens. It’s a disaster right now!!

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  7. This post makes me so happy for you. Finding hope at the end of a trial is a wonderful thing and doing so takes a quiet strength.

    My view is of a good sized meadow that runs to a dense line of woods. Everything is incredibly green. Many shades of green and so many textures – flat leaf, soft frond, shiny needle… There are a few wildflowers but not the usual riot of color. The weather has been both a trial and a blessing this year and we’re in a funny in between time for blooms. Earlier a couple deer moseyed past and the morning birds were busy during their shift but all is calm right now. Even the wind is still.

    I see this view, this meadow & woods every day and every day I’m grateful in a way I can’t describe. It’s like having a good friend. How did I ever get this lucky? 🙂

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words. It makes me very happy too, Maddie. That is the beauty of pain. Now that I am on the outside of it, I can appreciate not being on the inside. Everything appears more vibrant than before. 🙂

      I am in love with your view, and I can tell you are in love with it too. Maddie, you should be a writer. These views, I can see without ever leaving my house. That is excellent writing.

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      1. Aw Kari. I love your writing so much and what you write about gives me so much hope & inspiration. The other day I had a random thought about your book – that maybe it was a book about peri but also about not giving up and about hope. About keeping hope or maybe finding hope again. Like I said it was a random thought bubble that floated past. But then you wrote this lovely post about hope (sorta). *Dun dun dunnnnnnn!* 🙂

        Not gonna lie. I totally teared up when you complimented my writing. Your words meant a lot to me. Thank you. I do love my view. And I’m happy I could share it with you in some small way.

        I used to journal & write letters. There is something about putting pen to paper & just…. writing down the words you’re handed. That was a long time ago. But maybe someone is still handing me words. Thank you for the idea.

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      2. You basically nailed the book. My friends are coming over tomorrow to talk about publishing and illustration. This book is a labor of love brought to life by my two best friends. I can’t wait to share it with all of you.

        Continue writing your words. They matter. 🙂

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  8. Oh I think that is so cute that you still have the girl’s playhouse in the backyard. It looks like a beautiful little oasis back there.

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  9. I’m so happy that this year you are in a place where you can enjoy your beautiful yard!

    I’ve loved our backyard (despite some of the invasive plants I’ve been battling) from the beginning – but after spending the past year and a half looking at it and the house – I love them even more (despite the fact that this much time spent looking has shown there are many things to be done…)

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    1. Thank you so much! I’m so glad I’m able to enjoy it as well!

      I recall you discussing your invasive plant problem on your blog. I’m glad you’re finally able to enjoy your view as well. However, I can relate to the concept that the more you look at something, the more problems you discover! 🙂

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  10. Your yard looks so nice! Love the firepit area. My view right now is my living room…TV sitting atop the TV stand with books under it, Clementine to my left curled up on the “foyer” bench, and Monkey to my right curled up on the couch. Coffee table in front of me with a basket holding books, my phone and a candle.

    xoxo

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    1. I love your views! I was just telling Ally how much I enjoy seeing my friends’ views on Instagram, yours included. Your yard and garden are so lovely. It makes me feel at home. One of these days, I’m coming over to sit on your patio. Xoxo

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  11. When I sit outside I usually sit on our deck which is elevated about 9′ above the ground meaning that I look into trees, not at the trunks, but literally into the branches of the trees. I sometimes describe this as having a squirrel’s eye view of things. It’s quietly inspiring to watch the trees grow and change throughout the year.

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    1. I’ve seen pictures of your lovely view on Instagram. I wish more people would share their backyard/front yard/porch views on Instagram instead of their meals. Although, I do love food.
      The phrase, “squirrel’s eye view” is my new favorite. We have a backyard squirrel now and Buddy isn’t happy about it, but I love it because NATURE. 🙂

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  12. I love this so much; your optimism is contagious, so share away.
    I love your yard and the sweet memories you’ve made and continue to make. Wildflowers. YES! Think of the happy bees and butterflies you’ll lure to your lair.

    From my view right now: I’m in my office with two large windows on either side of me. Right now my sweet lawn guys are cutting the grass which if they don’t do it every seven days now, Lillie has a hard time walking in the grass. She’s a shortie! I’m thankful they show up every Tuesday in the summer and everything looks fresh when they’re done. I see butterflies flitting about, a family of wood peckers going back and forth from the front yard where the feeder is to the side yard where they have a nest. I also see a mama mocking bird gathering worms several times a day, but I haven’t figured out where her nest is that she’s bringing them back to. And those worms had better not be butterfly caterpillars! HA.
    Life is good and I’m ecstatic that you are seeing it now too.
    XO

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    1. For many years, I was terrified of bees, but after discovering how beneficial they are for the environment and the flowers, I find myself shooing them away less and less.

      Your views sound wonderful! I can picture it all.

      It is SO good, and I am so glad I can finally see it. Xoxo

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  13. I think you could set this post to the ‘I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW THE RAIN HAS CLEARED’ song . . . even though it isn’t rain that has cleared. Glad you are soaking in your surroundings. I think you’re right, things WILL be OK. It’s a good mentality to adopt, but understandably not always an easy one.

    I’m perched at my desktop – where I’ve been for countless hours for days. I’m working on a graduation video for Tank for his party in a few weeks. It’s a montage of photos and videos. I’ve gone a tad overboard in my search for cute clips. Lawdy, just wrap it up – my brain is saying, but I’m not listening. I think I’m in the home stretch. It’s therapeutic for me to look back at the good times and all the funny things they do before I send them off to college. *sniffle* I’ve come across some true gems and I have to figure out a way to share these clips on my blog. Be prepared. So funny.

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  15. I love your backyard. It looks like a really lovely place to be. I’m glad you are enjoying it again.

    I’m in my office which is a mess of bins and laundry baskets full of yarn and other craft/art supplies because V and I are making a room switch this week. We started the process last week but a room switch is a lot more work than I remember as a kid (either because I’m now the adult doing the work, or because we have more stuff, or probably both is a factor in this process.) I’m hoping it will be mostly complete by the end of this weekend.

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  16. I definitely got a better appreciation for my house and my space over the last year and a half. Every time I sit outside I am humbled by this life I have assembled around me. Your yard is beautiful and I love the way it has become a different space for you now that you have emerged from all that you were struggling with ❤

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    1. I agree. When we were forced to be in or around our homes during the pandemic, it made us look at our homes so much differently.

      On a different note, I’ve missed your comments. It’s so good to have you back again. 🙂

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  17. I’m sitting in an old recliner in the room that was my bedroom as a kid growing up. The view I have is out the window at the front of the house that used to be covered by my headboard. This is pretty symbolic of my life at the moment. I am once again comfortable and at peace with where my life is, after a long period of discomfort and chaos. Now most of the loose ends that were driving me crazy are tied up so I can sit with that for a while until some of them unravel and my life takes another turn.

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