It's a glorious sunny Autumn day in Cape Town and, as with the change of every season, I reflect on the past season's highs and lows and life lessons. So what'd I learn over Summer? Funnily enough, my life lessons came mostly (but not exclusively) from my dogs. Lemme tell you a little about them, first. Bella is a border collie cross and she's the smartest dog I've ever met. But poor old Finley, the orange dog, is mostly rather daft. And then there's Jasper, the pup (well, he's just over a year old and he still thinks he's a puppy). Jas is a doberman cross something or other, and he's HUGE.
It's all got to do with the beach, you see. There is nothing better than watching dogs on a beach. You can feel their happiness - it's infectious! You can see what they're thinking: "Dig dig dig! Ok now swim swim swim. Ok now roll in the sand. Oooooh! A frisbee! Fetch fetch fetch!" As their tongues loll out of their mouths in sheer joy, I was reminded time and time again, to live in the now. To enjoy each moment for what it offers. To sniff out treasures others aren't looking for. To enjoy simple pleasures which bring great joy. And of course, breathe. In and out, breathe.
With this basic lesson in mind, I plan to live Winter like it's my favourite season. I WILL concentrate on the little things to bring me joy - a walk in the rain, all bundled up in scarves and hats and gorgeous wellies and then a hot bubble bath to restore feeling to my toes, a wonderful book to read next to the fireplace, weekends away in Pringle Bay and long walks on the beach, yummy croissants and reading the newspaper in bed on a lazy Sunday morning, home-made veggie soups and thick slices of fresh country bread. I have all of that and more to look forward to in Winter. But for now, these are the things that raise my spirits in Autumn.
1. Thick woolly socks and last year's fav jumpers
2. Wonderful books
3. Putting on the warming blanket 10 minutes before climbing into bed
4. Sleeping late on weekends in rainy weather
5. My silly and amusing pooches
6. Hot cross buns, lightly toasted with a smidgen of butter
7. New boots
8. New gloves ;)
9. Enjoying the first of the Winter delights at great Cape Town sidewalk cafes
10. Not feeling guilty about getting straight into my jammies when I get home after work. If the weather leaves much to be desired, why not?
What raises your spirits in Autumn?
It's all got to do with the beach, you see. There is nothing better than watching dogs on a beach. You can feel their happiness - it's infectious! You can see what they're thinking: "Dig dig dig! Ok now swim swim swim. Ok now roll in the sand. Oooooh! A frisbee! Fetch fetch fetch!" As their tongues loll out of their mouths in sheer joy, I was reminded time and time again, to live in the now. To enjoy each moment for what it offers. To sniff out treasures others aren't looking for. To enjoy simple pleasures which bring great joy. And of course, breathe. In and out, breathe.
With this basic lesson in mind, I plan to live Winter like it's my favourite season. I WILL concentrate on the little things to bring me joy - a walk in the rain, all bundled up in scarves and hats and gorgeous wellies and then a hot bubble bath to restore feeling to my toes, a wonderful book to read next to the fireplace, weekends away in Pringle Bay and long walks on the beach, yummy croissants and reading the newspaper in bed on a lazy Sunday morning, home-made veggie soups and thick slices of fresh country bread. I have all of that and more to look forward to in Winter. But for now, these are the things that raise my spirits in Autumn.
1. Thick woolly socks and last year's fav jumpers
2. Wonderful books
3. Putting on the warming blanket 10 minutes before climbing into bed
4. Sleeping late on weekends in rainy weather
5. My silly and amusing pooches
6. Hot cross buns, lightly toasted with a smidgen of butter
7. New boots
8. New gloves ;)
9. Enjoying the first of the Winter delights at great Cape Town sidewalk cafes
10. Not feeling guilty about getting straight into my jammies when I get home after work. If the weather leaves much to be desired, why not?
What raises your spirits in Autumn?
Lots of red wine - even if it is from a box
ReplyDeleteTo me Autumn brings the most beautiful colours. The trees come alive with hues of rust. They are almost anouncing their arrival to winter.
ReplyDeleteYou almost make me wish it was Autumn all over again; we are in the throes of spring now and it is glorious. Happy times.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful blog. I look forward to reading more little lady.
Conditional love to me came when I had my children. It is the most cherished feeling to love someone immediately after meeting them and having a feeling of no matter what I will love this person for ever.
ReplyDelete