"When I
had my house in Florida, the backyard was on
the side of a hill. On the highest side,
there was a clump of trees. There was just
enough space there for me to haul up some
patio stones I bought at the 'big box' home
supply store. I fashioned me a little patio
and furnished it with inexpensive lawn
chairs, just right for lounging. I planted a
lot of fern around the little patio and put
in some bird houses, plants, etc. to create
a shady retreat. On Sunday afternoons, I
would take a good devotional book and relax
on my patio; my dogs Buster and Barney would
quietly sit or lie at my feet and we'd enjoy
the cool shade, the breeze and the sound of
songbirds as I read and meditated on God's
goodness. I had a very, very stressful job
and this Sabbath routine was very calming.
After the initial cost of patio stones and
lawn furniture (some of which I got at a
thrift store), it was a pleasure that didn't
cost me a cent. I borrowed several of the
books from the church library and often
re-read some of my favorite spiritual books
that I already owned or just read my
Bible.
Now that I've
had to move, I am lucky in that my apartment
townhouse faces out on a little brick plaza
that is underneath the branches of a massive
oak tree. One of the longtime residents
furnished it with some antique lawn chairs
and a table and chair set; all of us other
neighbors have contributed our potted plants
for extra color and beauty. Considering it's
in the middle of an apartment complex, it is
surprisingly quiet. I repeat my Sunday
afternoon ritual there; in addition, when I
have a day off, I also take my lunch
outdoors and picnic on the patio table,
weather permitting. Buster and Barney have
often chewed their chewbones or eaten dog
biscuits while I do this. Sadly, Buster has
recently passed away from cancer at age 14
and Barney, who is 13 1/2, has gone
blind, but he still enjoys being out on the
plaza with me. I only wish I'd taken a photo
of both of the dogs on the plaza because
we've spent many pleasant hours there!
I am now
looking for another house to buy and one of
the features it must have is some nice
outdoor place in which I can create another
relaxing oasis for myself and Barney. We
will plant a tree, rosebush or other nice
plant in Buster's memory there."
~ Lynn
