Monday, August 8, 2011

color on the horizon

Pat and I have been making weekly trips to Chicago this summer, sometimes together, but mostly alone.  It’s a five and a half hour trip whenever we leave and I can probably do it in my sleep. The trips are depressing when driving alone. About half way through the trip melancholia surrounds me like a Steven Foster song. The radio becomes an annoyance instead of a distraction. I think about how I told myself I wasn’t going to do this, this summer. I was going to stay at home and work in the garden all summer. But we make the trips to see my mom and Pat’s mom. Right about the time when I want to sink into despair I see color up ahead. Not the greens and ambers of farms, but garden colors. I pull over on the side of the road and gaze. I don’t know if it’s a sign or just serendipity but I feel refreshed and my sadness disappears.   


5 comments:

Cassy said...

I like those beautiful photos. My favorite is the first one with a blue sky...

Cassy from Best Online Guitar Lessons

Lona said...

I know all that traveling must be hard and wearing you both down. It is hard when there are so many miles in between families especially in our parents later lives.My mother just lives out the road thankfully but then I am an only child but it helps me help her easier since she is near by.
That is a great sight to see all of that color. How fantastic.They are Gladiola's? Looks like a rainbow of flowers. I do not know how they keep them all standing in the weather we all have had this year. I have trouble keeping the one Glad I have standing. LOL!
Some of the Ligularia plants are blooming and I am loving that color this time of the year. Thanks again!!

debsgarden said...

Beautiful! They remind me of the tulip fields of Holland.

Anonymous said...

You and Pat are such devoted children (hard to think of you as children). I admire your efforts and know from personal experience that they are worthwhile.

Catherine said...

Well I really identify with that. I too am on the road a lot checking in on aging parents who are not at all well. Isn't it wonderful the way colour and the hope we get from plants and everything in our natural environment can lift us and remind us of our true nature, best regards:~)