The Amazing Zinnia Shares JOY!!

Saturday morning...restless sleep...feeling the emotional effects of the full moon and up just about at the crack of dawn. What could I do to get settled and be with the absolutely gorgeous day that was dawning. I know!! Get my camera/s and head out to the garden to enjoy the stillness - or what I thought was going to be the stillness. (The only challenge was the neighbors setting up their yard sale across the street and the people coming to see what was there). I stayed in the back yard and away from the bustle of the street, traffic and people activity. At first, I tried TOO HARD to find things to take pictures of. Then I remembered what my advice is to others and decided to live what I knew in my heart was the truth. What I began to see were the zinnias in all of their states of glory and decay. In my 60+ years, I don't think I have ever been so still to see the beautiful patterns and designs of this flower. The buds, especially had dark outlines around all of the sections. Amazing and all I had to do was BE STILL and wait. I ended up staying in the garden for 2 1/2 hours. I saw the portulacas come to life, the light shining on the balloon flowers, and the bugs and bees waking up. The most special part of all of this for me was that part way through the experience, I felt a total calm come over me. One more example of picking up my camera and just going out and BEING with it. What a blessing. I am filled with gratitude that my husband planted this garden and Mother Nature nurtured and supported his work.