Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Special Delivery


On my daily walks around the village's periphery, I am constantly 
inspired by the pretty patchwork that blankets the countryside
which surrounds me, and I appreciate how lucky I am to enjoy it.


I don't know about you, but aside from the obvious benefits
of walking, this easiest of aerobic exercises, also seems to strengthen
my heart in so many other ways, in addition to the physical cardiovascular ones.


For instance,
how fitting that my little excursions be 1500 feet above sea level! 
I tell you, there are times when I literally feel
 like I am walking in the clouds! 
 Greek in origin, aero- "air" (combining form) + bios "life", 
further adds to the 'living in the air' essence!


That fresh autumn breeze, now cooler and crisper, chills and tingles 
my cheekbones, refreshing and re-energizing my senses, 


helping to clear my mind, to make space for thoughts
 that may have been 'blown away', misplaced or forgotten,


and to organize the clutter that also tends to collect inside us,


creating new nooks and crannies
 for creative inspiration to spontaneously settle in.


Yesterday, the wind was particularly sharp,
and as it sped by me, its driving force
 whistled a wonderful idea into my mind.


 The tinted leaves and sun dried fruit, barely clutching on to 
half naked boughs, seemed to be hanging on just long enough
for my arrival, when I plucked them from their plight,


and carefully carried them home, clutching them closely together, 
as some were weak and withered from their exposure to the elements.


In the garden, I scattered them on the roof of the wood oven,
and arranged them according to the wind's specifications,
careful not to exclude those less fortunate in foliage.


Once inside, they were safe and sound,


and enjoyed the airy openness of the great room,


under a cozy lamp, in the living room,


or covered in the midday afternoon sun, on the dining room buffet.


But, their intended spot, 
 (remembering the wind's final words,
just before it whisked itself away), was:


"Somewhere in the open air,
not in a vase, or a constricted place.
...You'll know where''.


So, dear friends in cyberspace
please accept this little fall bouquet,
in appreciation for your
sweet words the other day.
I know I'm far away,
but I have a friend,
who's willing to
whiz it by your way.

 Thanks for visiting!
xo
Poppy

Sharing at: 
Through My Lens

50 comments:

  1. So lovely, like how you arranged all of your gatherings for your home, such vibrant and happy colors!

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  2. You have such beautiful countryside to enjoy! It truly looks like a patchwork quilt.
    Brenda

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  3. What a delight visiting your blog. I have enjoyed virtually walking with you on one of your walks and totally agree with you that out walking is exhilarating. I always feel so much better after a good walk. What beautiful views indeed well appreciated! Keep well. Amanda. xx

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  4. What a spectacular place to take a walk, Poppy! Don and I have been going on a walk every day for the past 3 weeks and I must say I feel so much better after the walk! It clears my head of worries and stress.
    Love, love your bouquet.

    xo
    Claudia

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  5. I love walking too. It's free, it doesn't give you injuries and you get fresh air. Beautiful pics again. What a wonderful place to live. x

    Louisa @ My Family & Abruzzo

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  6. Walking even vitually with you becomes an extraordinary activity,I can assure you Poppy! The countryside "seen" through your eyes looks magical and your wild bouquet as well. Ι noticed a cross-stitch embroidery with big roses..unique!

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  7. Oh Poppy what a beautiful place you live in both inside and out, and what a beautiful bouquet! Have a wonderful day! Thank you, Marisa

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  8. So pretty there. I live at high elevation (about 5500 feet) and I know exactly what you mean about how it feels to walk in a place like this. Your bouquet is spectacular, I really love the way it looks in the vase and the mixture of colors in it.

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  9. I wish I had a view like that where I live, I would walk alot more. The scenery is so pretty.

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  10. Beautiful flowers to go with your beautiful words.

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  11. What a beautiful place to go for a walk. Such incredible views and your colorful bouquet is lovely!

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  12. The scenery is so beautiful it almost doesn't look real. The way the landscape unfolds it makes me think of a beautiful quilt. Thanks so much for sharing your walk.

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  13. Poppy, It's so beautiful there! You make me want to visit some day. Your walks must be so enjoyable with all the wonderful views. What a pretty bouquet of flowers and leaves to brighten your home. Hugs, Pamela

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  14. What incredible views you have to enjoy on your walks, Poppy! Your bouquet is lovely and such a variety of different plants from what we see here. I love your living room furniture; especially the sofa! Thank you for sharing at my HOME and enjoy the weekend.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  15. Hi Poppy, oh how I would love taking a walk with you there! Thanks for the lovely walk and the pretty floral arrangement you made for fall! Take care and be well. Julie 🍁🍃🍂🌿

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  16. What a beautiful place to walk! Thank you for the bouquet and this post!

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  17. Ever the cute and creative words and bouquet.
    I picked some greenery today on my walk.
    It is very cold here my friend.

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  18. Ahhhh! I can feel that fresh Mediterranean air! Thanks for taking us on your walk. And for sharing the lovely autumnal bouquet.
    Cheers,
    Loi

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  19. Beauty,beauty,beauty...shared by a beautiful friend...Thank you for taking these pictures for us..
    Love, Mona

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  20. Poppy, 3 times I have been interrupted when visiting your blog.. ARG..... That is why it is so late and I am finally leaving a comment..
    This was the most beautiful scenery, I have ever seen. I can just feel the cool crisp air as you walk though the clouds.One of these days Poppy One of these days.

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  21. Tne first photo took my breath away! I can't imagine have that as my "walking" scenery. You are so lucky to have that, but we are so lucky that you share it with us in the most stunning ways. Thank you for the bouquet!

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  22. Your first photo with that expansive view is just unbelievable! Love all the beautiful nature pieces you picked up along your walk and how you arranged them into a bouquet. So pretty!

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  23. As I often do when looking at the pictures you post, I'm thinking "Can it really be real? Not a postcard?" I don't think I'd ever realized that you were that high above sea level there. And there is something about autumn and winter that helps us to declutter our sluggish summer minds.

    And your objects de nature are, in my opinion, prettier than any purchased bouquet. Thank you for following the wind's counsel not to keep them in a vase but to send them on to all of us.

    I sometimes feel like a little child when I visit here, asking, "What did you bring me? What did you bring me?" And you never fail to pull something pretty out of Poppy's pocket.
    Dewena

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  24. Yes, yes. The first time we flew over my birthplace, Azores, it, too, reminded me of quilts. Gorgeous lovely and comforting quilts. Truly, you live in God's loveliness.

    xxxooo Eugenia

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  25. It is so nice that you surrounded by this lovely country and you can enjoy the walks !
    Your wild bouquet is lovely ! Have a nice day !

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  26. That view is breathtaking! Colours seem so much more vivid in your home and that bouquet is beautiful.

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  27. Oh Poppy, you continue to amaze me with the brilliance of your writing talents and then your photos are so very rich in colours and they pretty much place us right there with you. You certainly must live very close to heaven's gate, such a pleasure it must be to walk there daily, to live in such magnificence...it is a "Calgon take me away" moment every day for you ;)

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  28. Time to collect flowers and thoughts. . .yes, a walk is good for the heart in oh, so many ways!

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  29. What an amazing view of your area and the fabulous plants! I must say that your walk at 1500 feet does not sound very high when I live at 4500 feet. It is amazing what our bodies adjust to. Years ago I went to a dance at a cabin on top of Mt. Olympus just west of Salt Lake City, elevation 9,026 feet and let me tell you, I was huffing and puffing trying to dance at that elevation.

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  30. Lovely photos! Love the Fall bouquet! I like to take what I call, Nature Walks, and I keep my clippers in my pocket, and come home with fun bouquets!!!
    Reminds me that I need to take one!!!
    xo Kris

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  31. What a beautiful bouquet and love all of the treasures you found - perfect in your home!

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  32. What an amazing view! How lucky you are to be able to walk amongst such beauty! Lovely bouquet too!

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  33. Hello Poppy

    Sunshine, exercise, glorious scenery and a flower arrangement all in a day. May all your days be so perfect.
    Thanks for sharing

    Helenxx

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  34. Είσαι ευτυχισμένη που ζεις σε αυτόν τον υπέροχο τόπο !!
    Μου αρέσει να βλέπω κομμάτια από το σπίτι σου....
    Πολλά φιλιά

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  35. I love that patchwork view which greets you everytime you go for your daily walk Poppy. I can just simply sit there and marvel to the wonders of it all. Thank you for sharing your beautiful bouquet.

    Have a good weekend.

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  36. Your bouquet is beautiful, Poppy! It's still so lovely there, so much colour. And I LOVE the view of the patchwork fields from above.

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  37. Love how you arranged your finds in the wild. Love your photos and writing.

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  38. I feel the same when I walk by the sea, a great time for contemplation. I bring bits of wood and rusty old metal home and you have brought some of the beautiful outside, to the inside in wonderful words and pictures as always.

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  39. Another lovely post, Poppy! The photos are gorgeous, I wish I could be there on the walk with you. Taking in all the pretty scenery myself. But for now, I am happy to enjoy your photos. Have a happy week ahead!

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  40. Nice to see that beautiful scenery that I miss so much and my friend that goes with it.!!!

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  41. Beautiful arrangement, Poppy. I just adore the colors of that bouquet and how they pop in your gorgeous sitting room! I am pinning it for inspiration! I love walking, as well. There is something about the freedom of the open space and the movement...I find if very calming. You know what they say, take a walk, not a pill! Have a wonderful week! :) Kim

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  42. Your arrangement goes so well in your room, it looks perfect.
    Hugs, Lynnie

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  43. What a pretty post, thank you for taking us on that walk so high in the sky! Love your stunning living room. Diane

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  44. Beautiful and I love that gorgeous view, so pretty. Thanks so much for linking to Inspire Me and I hope you and your family have a very Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving. Hugs, Mart

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  45. How sweet of you! I'll take a few sprigs for my home here in Florida.....I'll catch them on the wind! And I'm sending you back lots of hugs! Enjoy your day my friend!

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  46. Your living room is beautiful! Loving the pops of red. And the blooms look stunning

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  47. ahh I love that your walk lead to a pretty reminder of outdoors inside :)

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  48. Wonderful counttryside to beath in and walk around.Love the post and the numerous places you placed it.

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Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment. I really appreciate hearing from all of you! Have a great day!