Birds, Flowers, summer

Five Minutes—or So—on the Patio

70 Comments

Recently, Ju-Lyn, of the excellent blog Touring My Backyard, wrote a post about spending five minutes with Fishing at Singapore River, a sweet sculpture of a boy and his dog. Ju-Lyn wrote, “When I encounter public art, I try to take about 5 minutes to explore it from several angles…” This idea came about from a challenge via a blogger who no longer blogs, and Ju-Lyn invited blogging friends to join her in this five-minute mindfulness exercise, which could include any subject or scene.

And where would I go? To my patio, of course, which is approaching peak loveliness.

Sitting at the table, I faced the garden, the bird feeders, and the woods. With my wee camera, I snapped a picture of a chickadee, Maine’s state bird. As my friend Barbara once observed, chickadees might be plentiful but they are never common. No, they are not.

Here’s a photo from another angle.

In a tree above the feeder, a male goldfinch waited. Leery of coming too close when I was on the patio, he was not quite as brave as the chickadee. The sun was shining directly on him, and unfortunately the yellow is a little blown out.

To another feeder came a little whizzing visitor, always a pleasure to see.

And finally, a bit of whimsy.

As I sat and took pictures, I heard the flutter of wings. The strident call of blue jays. The cheep, cheep, cheep of the goldfinches. From up the road, the sound of a lawn mower. A loud clunking as our next-door neighbor worked in his yard. Insects buzzing in my garden.

All around me was life—birds, insects, people.

When I looked at the time, I was a little surprised to find that seven minutes had passed. With so much to see, Time just whipped by.

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A very happy Fourth of July to those in the United States. Clif, Dee, and I will be heading to Augusta to watch the newest Indiana Jones movie. It will be the first movie I’ve seen at a cinema in three years, and I’m really looking forward to seeing Indy on the big screen. At eighty, Harrison Ford is having yet another moment, and he’s one of those actors who has managed to keep his mojo over the years.

After the movie, we’ll be coming home to a little feast of potato salad and, weather permitting, grilled plant-based sausages. If the rain continues, which it’s done for most of June, the sausages will pan-fried.

But no matter which way the weather goes, we’ll have a good time and a good meal.

 

 

70 thoughts on “Five Minutes—or So—on the Patio”

  2. Chickadees are such happy and brave little birds! I try to sit out on the deck once in awhile. Penny always wants to go and she’s not a sit quietly and contemplate kind of dog yet, so it’s hard to watch the birds.

  3. I like your mindfulness exercise, Laurie, and I suspect more of us should do more of it!! What are the yellow flowers in your final photo? They’re beautiful. Happy Fourth to you and yours — enjoy that movie and have some popcorn for me!!

    1. Those yellow flowers are evening primroses, and they really brighten up our yard at the edge of the woods. Looking forward to seeing Indy.

  4. Chickadees are your neighbor New Brunswick’s official bird as well! A lovely mindfulness exercise, just waiting for us every day. Happy 4th of July, Laurie.

  5. Beautiful moments in your garden and one of the things I absolutely love about summer is listening to the flutter of wings!🙂 Sounds like a fabulous day is planned for tomorrow and let me know if you loved the movie, Harrison Ford is a favorite!!🙂

  6. Life on your patio is such a good thing with nature all around you. I hope the movie is a good one. We certainly enjoyed watching Harrison Ford with Helen Mirren in 1923. He is still a good actor, and you can tell he is enjoying himself. Happy 4th, and I hope we both get a few dry days in between.

    1. Life on the patio is always a delight. Harrison Ford is still a good actor. Wonderful that at eighty he is still going strong. I just heard that with five inches of rain, this has been the rainiest June on record.

  11. Laurie, I love your mindfulness exercise. It’s nice to focus on the world around us, and I can think of nothing better than birds enjoying life in your garden. I wish you both a safe and sane 4th of July. We’ll be having Field Roast Sausages as well. I wonder if you’ve tried that brand? I adore your tiny village resting on a brick.

    1. Thank you, thank you! Always a treat to watch the birds. I have never tried Field Roast Sausages, but I will certainly be on the lookout for them. We will be eating Impossible sausages, which are very good.I was thinking of you when I featured my tiny village.

  12. I love how you were inspired by a fellow blogger (who had also been inspired by a fellow blogger) to spend five minutes on your patio, and observe the scenery around you from different angels. That was an excellent use of five…or more minutes!

  13. Being mindful and present in the moment for 5 (or more) minutes is so beneficial for our souls and your post is a good reminder.
    I hope your garden will provide you with many more joyful encounters this summer. And I hope you will enjoy your movie and menu tomorrow.
    Best,
    Tanja

  14. I hope you have good weather on the 4th, but however the weather, enjoy your celebrations. And the ‘take five minutes’ approach…well, of course! Well done.

  15. I like the idea of looking at something from different angles, thanks for the suggestion. It will be fun going to the movies again, I hope you have a big box of popcorn. We haven’t been for about three years either. Have fun with your family.

  18. Such a lovely idea! Such a lovely yard! I will try the five-minute test. When I first started learning about meditation, a year ago only (I was late to the party), I thought three minutes was an eternity. Eventually, I realized: “I can do this.”

  19. Happy 4th July – I hope your weather improves. In the U.K. we have, allegedly, had the hottest June since records begun although it seems to me they say that every year. Maybe I’m still not acclimatised after moving back from S.W. France but I still don’t find it overly hot. The garden could do with a bit of rain though.

  20. I loved this time on your patio with you! Those little birds are so fun to observe. And hummingbirds! I’ve been enjoying their visits lately.

    I hope you love the new Indy! I can’t wait to be able to watch it. I’m such a fan!

  21. Restful moments! When it is not raining, morning tea on the deck overlooking the yard provides a similar calm awakening to my day.
    Looking forward to your Indy review!

  23. I was surprised to learn that the chickadees are your state bird. They certainly deserve the honor; they’re quite common here, and at my feeders, and I never fial to be delighted by their antics. I finally consulted Wikipedia and learned about Indiana Jones; I knew the name, but nothing more. Obviously, it’s been a popular series, so I know you’ll enjoy this new offering — and the post film meal. Happy Independence Day!

  24. I love this idea of “five-minute mindfulness exercise”. And what would be better than your own garden when nature is so close 😊

  25. You have reminded me of how often I work in my garden and how rarely I just sit and really appreciate it. Thank you for the nudge. Enjoy your night out.

  27. What a beautiful 5 (or 7 minutes) of just being present and noticing the world around you, Laurie. So many gifts. I hope you had fun at the movies! And enjoy your weekend on the patio!

      1. We haven’t been to a movie theater in over 13 years, but we’ll catch that one when it comes out on Prime or Netflix. Thanks for the recommendation!

  28. I agree, that was a beautiful 7 minutes of taking in the world around you, Laurie. I will also look for that new Indiana Jones movie.

  29. I am tickled and thrilled that you joined in the fun – and had such a blast at it! Thank you for the lovely views of your bird friends.

    How was the Indy? I saw trailers and thought he still looks fine!

    1. I really, really liked the five-minute exercise of sitting and looking. And listening and smelling. All around, life.

      The Indy movie was fantastic. I will be writing about it today. Harrison Ford is a wonder, that’s what he is.

  30. Pingback: 5 mins with a fungi – Touring My Backyard

  32. I love the “five minute” idea. Can’t wait to try it.
    Glad you are back at the movies. Just this spring, I’ve finally gone back to (uncrowded) restaurants. It feels normal, but if you can say anything good about covid, it forced eateries to design all kinds of great take-out or patio possibilities. Lots of fun in the summer.

    1. Sitting for five minutes—or more—is a wonderful exercise in mindfulness. It was wonderful to be back at the cinema. Didn’t realize how much I missed it until I was in front of the big screen.

  33. I love your post’s marriage of photos and sound, visitors and watchers, busyness and peace. I’m soothed just reading it. And I’m delighted you returned to the big screen. It is magical!

  34. 5 (or 7) minutes is long and short. What a variety of birds came by! And all around was life, as you said. A wise blogging buddy recently called stones ‘soulless’ and I was surprised to feel miffed on their behalf. Not that I can argue against her, need I say?

    1. Those seven minutes just flew by as they always do when I’m watching birds. As for stones being soulless…I respectfully disagree. To me, they seem like ancient ones filled with Earth power.

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