Sunday, June 10, 2012

Serene Sunday

I was going to say I hope you have a serene Sunday planned. But that's presumptuous of me, isn't it? Maybe that's not what you want. Maybe you're heading out to the NASCAR races or off to fly a jet. Perhaps you're participating in a rodeo today or you'll be entering your first boxing match, and serenity is the last thing you need.

Have at it, I say. I'll be sitting it out.

Please do come back tomorrow, if you survive. To commemorate Zen Monday #200, there will be prizes. For whatever.

30 comments:

Dina said...

Wishing you all the serenity you need and deserve, Petrea. I'm all for serenity.

I always feel left out when bloggers wish each other a happy weekend. Here in Israel Sunday is just the beginning of the work week.

Shell Sherree said...

Lying on that grass would be the ultimate in serenity. {If it's luxury-pile astro turf, please don't burst my bubble... ignorance can be bliss, which extrapolates out to further serenity.} I hope your Sunday is as serene or daring as you wish, Petrea.

BaysideLife said...

Oh my. That red door, the wicker chair. I just need a good book and glass of lemonade. I just love this photo. My Sunday will be spent looking out the window at more rain after yesterday's 13 inch deluge. Serene may not be the word I'd use, but there will be a good book and probably coffee instead of lemonade.

Kalei's Best Friend said...

Is this your home? Remember what I had said about the red door? Lots of good energy flowing into that house.

dive said...

A serene Sunday would be wonderful, Petrea. I hope yours is more serene than mine has been (mowing lawns, cooking, chores, repairing the bedroom window the storm broke, removing the detritus of tree limbs and roof tiles from around the place, etc.) …
That wicker chair look so inviting.

Adele said...

I think all of those things could be considered serene, to the right person. I'm hoping for your kind of serene for myself, and for you as well!

Vanda said...

Oh, I love that read door.

Katie said...

Such a pretty porch. I can imagine spending a whole serene Sunday here, moving easily from morning coffee to afternoon iced tea to evening wine. I won't be porch-sitting, but my plans on this sunny Sunday include a long walk, a movie, and a slice of pizza.

Petrea Burchard said...

It looks like people have all different activities planned for their Sundays, which are almost over in some parts of the world.

I do believe serenity is not in the activity (or lack thereof) but in the mind, so I hope you find it in your work day, or your storm, or your chores or even your day off. I am trying to be mindful of serenity; I think it's good for my health.

No, KBF, this isn't my house. But I think it's a charmer.

Susan Campisi said...

That porch is the epitome of serenity. The house really is a charmer. I'm with you today, Petrea. My hope is to not have to leave the house, although I doubt the pitties will let me get away with that.

Anonymous said...

Simple charm -- the best kind.

Petrea Burchard said...

I get to write today. Shower, breakfast, keyboard. Ah.

Latino Heritage said...

Serenity. Your definition is a fine one and one that fist my bill. Love your catching the plants and the door balancing each other.

TheChieftess said...

This is my first serene day in about 3 weeks...so I'd like to join you on the porch, or in my case, the back deck...
I think I'll start with a cup of coffee...

TheChief just got the stereo up and running...I've had a few serene moments on the deck with Eva Cassidy in the background...and the stream...and the bugs and birds...with any luck, maybe we'll have a deer or two today!!!

Happy Sunday all!!! And Dina...hope you week gets off to a good start!!!

Petrea Burchard said...

LH, I'm really having to put it into practice. We have an extra dog in the yard today.

Chieftess, I hope the deer like music.

Rath Savinders said...

I've been quite serene today. The rodeo will have to wait.

Jean Spitzer said...

The house is charming. It looks like it is being crowded by the structure to its left. Makes me a little uneasy.

Petrea Burchard said...

Hello, Rath. I hope your Monday will be as serene.

Jean, I think it's only a lean-to next door, with some chairs underneath. But that fence is awfully close.

Bellis said...

The colors of the house and flowers are so pretty. I've never had any luck with petunias.

I drove to the JPL Open Day this morning and thought I was arriving early at 9:15 am. But even 15 minutes after opening, there were lines of cars backing up along the feeder roads and I was directed to the furthest car park across the Arroyo. If I'd known the east gate was open, I'd have just hiked down from Altadena. But it was worth the wait to park - the excitement among the visitors, and especially the kids, rubbed off on me. Space travel and exploration IS exciting, and there's invaluable work being done to monitor our planet as well.
And all of this is right on our doorstep!!

So who's the second dog in the garden?

Bellis said...

Going to rise early tomorrow with my Zen hat on. I'm very competitive.

Petrea Burchard said...

Bellis, all your space exploration has got you seeing things. What dogs? I don't see dogs. Perhaps you're preparing early for Zen Monday.

Please do come and compete. I'm thinking of adding another prize if the competition's stiff enough. A surprise prize.

Bellis said...

No dog? So I misunderstood what you replied to LH: "We have an extra dog in the yard today."? Jet lag.

Ms M said...

That's a lovely front porch. Looks so inviting. I hope you had a good day writing, a serene Sunday.

Petrea Burchard said...

I'm sorry, Bellis, I thought you meant in the picture. The dog who visited today is Goldie. She came with an associate of John's. We hosted meetings in the house all day for We Make Movies.

Thank you, Ms. M. I closed my door and let the movie guys hash things out in the living room, though I did join them for lunch. It's been a serene/productive day.

LONDONLULU said...

It probably wasn't the most serene weekend of traveling all over creation, but now all is calm & I can sigh in these lovely pops of colour (and I loved the comment on sidewalks you left on my blog - LOL! :)

Dina said...

I like how you explain your serenity up here in the comments. It reminds me of the 17th C Brother Lawrence. "He had a reputation for experiencing profound peace and visitors came to seek spiritual guidance from him. The wisdom he passed on to them, in conversations and in letters, would later become the basis for the book, The Practice of the Presence of God." (Wiki)
He did the hard work in the kitchen of a Carmelite monastery but he found a way to experience the presence of God in a real and meaningful way, all day long, every day, even while washing dishes.

Petrea Burchard said...

A weekend of traveling sounds like fun, Lulu, serene or not.

Dina, I think that's how we've got to do it, no matter what we call it. And it's not easy! But we've got to try. Life throws so much pressure at us and our best defense is peace within ourselves.

-K- said...

Yes, a really a serene scene.

Brenda's Arizona said...

Lovely, serene. Sounds perfect. My Sundays always include working - the morning shift at the graduate school library. Even the students are sleepy...

Petrea Burchard said...

That sounds like a serene job, Brenda.