If you want to relax, watch the clouds pass by if you’re laying on the grass, or sit in front of the creek; just doing nothing and having those still moments is what really rejuvenates the body. ~Miranda Kerr
Summertime is the perfect time to take some moments to do that relaxing and look at those clouds or listen to the creek tumble over some rocks or smile at the shrieks of joy some kids make while they play in that creek. You can even get in on the cooling creek water when your dog splashes in and then loves you so much he finds you to shake and share that water with you. 🙂
Our creek is not easy access which maybe makes it even more fun. It’s about a mile from the house and then you have to go down a steep path and climb across some rocks next to the rock cliff. But then you’re rewarded with a spring fed creek bubbling over rocks. The water is cold in the early spring and cool even on a hot summer day. It would be a great place to cool off except for that climb back up that hill into the real world of summer.
You won’t be surprised that the grandkids have grown up loving to go to the creek. They have to make a few sincere promises before I’ll take them. They have to agree to listen and stop immediately if I tell them to. They have to not run. They have to believe me when I say that plant is poison ivy or don’t touch the nettle. Of course, if they ever do touch that nettle, they won’t ever want to again. Last summer, with the magic of phone computers, we looked up nettle while we were there to be sure we were avoiding the right plant. We were. Nettle sting or whatever you call it doesn’t last long but those few minutes last way longer than you want it to while it’s making you wish you hadn’t touched it.
So for the kids, I’m a creek lifeguard. “Watch out for that rocky rock.” “That one is a slippery rock.” “Just swipe that spiderweb out of your hair. The spider is more afraid of you than you are of it.” “Water spiders won’t hurt you.” “Watch your fingers if you pick up that crawdad.” Well, you get the idea. Maybe I should take a whistle with me.
But the kids have fun and so do I. The grand girl here first went to the creek when she was three. I was younger then and could carry her some of the time. She loved the water. She’s growing up now, almost a teen, but she still did some splashing when we went to the creek again this year. She’s a kid who knows how to have fun in a creek.
So if you get a chance this summer, take some time to relax. Enjoy the sound of a creek rolling over rocks. Walk beside the ocean and let the waves tickle your toes. Climb a mountain and enjoy the breeze. Go out into a dark night and admire the stars. Appreciate the storm clouds bringing rain. Or just really look at some flowers and be glad for the gifts of nature. I’ve been to the creek, but I hope to go again.
What do you like to do to relax?
Thanks as always for reading.
An extra note: I sent out a newsletter with a new giveaway last week. If you didn’t get one, let me know and I’ll send you one. I’ll be posting details of the giveaway on my News & Events page sometimes today.
Comments 12
Oh, now I have to go down to the creek in back of my house. I probably will not be wading in it today – too cold for me. I’ll go see what is growing beside it.
Author
Hope you had a good walk down by the creek, Birdie, and found some good things growing and no nettle. Always something pretty to see down at the creek.
When I want to relax, I pick up a book or sew. Either one, I’ve got a nice view of the lake. But it’s a little noisy right now. There’s a couple of families of geese and when the little ones wonder too close to my house the parents raise quite the commotion. I guess they know my pooch Ollie is close by. LOL But Ollie learned a couple of summers ago to give the geese a wide berth!
There’s nothing quite as relaxing as being near or on the water.
I loved the photos of your creek, Ann. They remind me of my grandparents farm in Paint Lick. Lots of happy memories wading and catching crawdads and minnows.
I love summer!
Author
Glad I brought up some good memories for you, Lavon. I was always too big a chicken to pick up the crawdads. LOL. We have some geese on the ponds around us. Geese are beginning to get thick in our area and they are noisy, especially in the springtime. But I’m thinking they don’t have much trouble putting a dog in its place.
Summertime is fun time.
My relaxing is with a book and my feet up. With a glass of iced tea.
Author
Sounds pretty good, Kathy. I did that yesterday. Well, the reading part and some hot tea.
I do love to read. We go on the back porch, where we have out potted tomatoes and some flowers. We watch the birds and did discover some Queen Anne’s Lace between our fence and the wooden fence next door. Happy Summer, Ann!
Author
Sounds like a great place to do some relaxing and reading, Paula. I love to have a few undisturbed hours to read now and again. That’s usually my reward after I finish my book and get it sent off to my editor.
I grew up at Toler in Eastern Kentucky with Pond Creek in front of our house that was never deep except during rainy seasons, then it flooded and became roaring as it flowed to empty into Tug River. When we were young kids, my brother who is 4 years older than I built a little tin boat. My mom told me to not get wet once while I was trying to paddle in the boat. Well, of course I got wet, but to keep her from knowing, or I thought so, I went to our “smoke house” where mom’s old Maytag wringer washer was and where she stored our dirty clothes. I changed my dresses by getting me a dress I had already worn and left my wet one it the washer! I am sure my dear sweet mother knew that I thought I had ‘pulled one over on her’ and went along with my secret. I did feel guilty because I always obeyed her. She said she had eyes in the back of her head and knew what we kids were doing. How I miss her and the good ole days! I loved wading in “our” creek and sometimes getting wet!
Author
Thanks for sharing your memories, Charlene. Love the story about trying to keep your mom from knowing your got wet. I’m pretty sure she knew but let you get by with it. 🙂 I read about those Eastern Kentucky creeks becoming floods as I was researching my recent book, These Healing Hills. According to my research, they called them tides. Did you?
I love to read and bake to relax
Author
Hmm, how about I come on down for some tea and cookies, Shelia? We can talk books. 🙂