Monochrome Monday ~ The Relaxing Joy Of A Drip ~ Original Photography and Discussion ~

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The Water Spigot

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Lets Take A Peek Behind THIS House

Once a year our town sponsors a local Garden Tour, open to the public for viewing. (For a small fee, of course.) Local Master Gardeners sign up 12 months in advance, in the hopes their back yard artwork will be picked as one of the few special places toured by the public during this one-day event. A committee wanders the entry yards, and picks something like 10 gardens for the tour. This select group of gorgeous landscapes are placed on a map, and we of the public wander around, ooh-ing and aah-ing, and in-general marveling at these vunder-garden creations.

And let me tell you, these areas are INCREDIBLE. Gorgeous landscapes of flowers, green beauty and relaxation, tucked away behind houses and in alleyways, all over town. Places of mental sanctuary you would NEVER see, unless invited. Who knew? And ALL are downright incredible. I think I said that already. But they are truly hard to describe in a way that gives them their full due. They are all awe inspiring.

The Day Finally Arrives

Come Saturday, the public descends on these areas in droves. Like a herd of migrating wildebeest, wandering over, around and through these creations, viewing back yards, huge gardens, flower beds, and at times, INSIDE the house, to marvel and photograph the wonderful displays of nature. Every area is wildly different, and downright amazing.

And obviously, a LOT of work. And just like those wandering herds of the plains, the public pretty much trambles their way all over the place during viewing. I almost feel sorry for the gardeners. Then again, I suppose they DID invite us. Most folks stay on the desired path, though it is still a ton of feet, wandering these beautiful landscapes in one day. The areas survive, but are no doubt a bit worse for wear, once Sunday arrives. I guess they DO have a whole year to recover, or longer, since we probably won't ever be back this way again.

Photo One

This stand pipe above [↑] was part of an incredibly large water-garden area on the tour. A wonderfully quiet and relaxing grotto of bliss, to escape the hectic life of the city beyond. It is truly amazing what is tucked away in back yards and blocked alleyways all over town. Tiny corners of respite in brown and green one would NEVER see, if it wasn't for this yearly show. People are SO creative, and it's nice they share their gardeniferous work with us. If only once a year. I marvel at them, almost green with envy every Saturday I attend.

I Can Do That!

Every year, I go home after the show and plan and dream of making my very OWN little grotto, in my back yard. A quiet little corner of the place with a babbling fountain, complete with flowers and lush greenery surrounding a small, fish-filled pond. A lily-pad sanctuary of restfulness. The place to sit and forget the hecticity of everyday life. Ah, the joy and dreams of incredible relaxation.

And every year, I think back to some of the conversations I've had, during the show. Such as the 3 months it took for the guy with sandy hair to get ready for the tour. He re-sodded his entire back yard. Or the woman who just repainted the siding of the house for us (it was "still damp, please don't touch"). And the fact there is not a single weed in sight. Anywhere. In ANY garden on the whole tour.

It's at about this time reality comes home to roost like an 18-pound chicken on my noggin, in MY back yard. The yard where the bunches of weeds laugh at me as I head out the back door to hang the laundry on the line. The yard where I'm constantly admonished, as I traipse around with my big feet, "don't step on lunch!! " Ah, Reality de' Terra firma. This sort of gardening thing takes a MONUMENTAL amount of time, work and money. ALL year long. I now realize, there is an actuality to all of this incredible beauty, that we just don't see in a one day visit. It's pretty much a full-time job. I'm not sure I have the money, stamina, knowledge, or good old gardening get-up-and-go to make it work. For more than a week and a half. (Or a Martha Stewart crew to make SURE it happens.)

But, I still manage to relax. Any time I'm stressed, I tuck my imaginary, 18-pound garden chicken under my arm, and head off to the bathroom. Turn down the lights, flip on the green nightlight, twist the bathtub spigot to a pleasant little trickle, place the soap dish underneath for a 'boulder splash effect ', pull up a folding chair, and marvel at this B&W picture for awhile. Relaxation washes over me like a warm bubble bath in Yellowstone.

Which is a good thing. Now I can get to work, and finish up that Steemit post while it's still Monday, and OGP's Monochrome Monday challenge is still going on. And after it's all done? I'll head back to the bathroom, to my green glow, everyday spigot and splashy soap dish, and relax the entire day away once more.

Ahh, the stuff big dreams are made of.

~ Finto ~

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_{Posted: 06/03/2019 @ 14:16}

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Excerpts From Late-Night Conversations With A Mechanical Cat

Fact Number 148