Phyllis Beveridge Nissila

DIY Retreat, Patio Version

Amid all the fuss and fuming these days over this, that, the other and, dare I mention it, THE COVID, be sure to take a breather, a Do It Yourself retreat.Outside is good. Sunshine. Fresh Air. But it could be anywhere, really, where you could steal away for a few minutes to clear the mind, lower the blood pressure, and calm the soul–if, need be, alone.

Grab a book (side note: children’s books are fantastic reading material for adults, too, one of mine would be anything by Dr. Seuss), a cup of coffee or perhaps a glass of wine, put on some tunes, breathe deeply, and veg…

The young homeschoolers, if any, could do something they enjoy just now, too, and if there is a baby involved, forget the housework; take your DIY retreat during nap time.

So today, for my own listening pleasure, relaxation, quiet inspiration, and to boost my mental and emotional immunities, I have put jazz brilliant Marian McPartland‘s* “On 52nd Street” arrangements from 1953 on the CD player out on my small patio where I have just arranged, on decorative stands, some small multi-colored pansies, “color spots,” and “confetti bowl flower arrangements” near my pink, tea-rose bush that is also in a (large) planter. My brother Andy, who has taken many of my header photos, happened by and took the picture, above.

Oh, I also added a Spanish Lavender (“Anouk Supreme”) which graces me with a hint of delicate scent, too, courtesy of an occasional breeze.

I am an unabashed fan of poet laureate Billy Collins, so I have brought a small collection of his books out here, too. The birds are chirping and twittering (but I think one is building a nest somewhere in the eves of my carport, so I’ll need to look into that later).

I love birds.

Thus, I am about as far from all the frazzle and foment as I can be, at the moment, in this small but sensory-rich patio retreat.

Join me, if only in spirit, where you can?

~~~~~

*Here’s a bit of McPartland piano magic, not from the collection above, but a piece with a particularly apropos title, don’t you think?