roseembolism: (Default)
roseembolism ([personal profile] roseembolism) wrote2011-01-19 09:25 pm

Cherry Blossoms are Good for the Soul

This week I have been in a mood. Practically a state. Today not even a long whirl on the stationary cycle improved things, so I did something I don't do nearly often enough; I went for a walk.

Today the destination was a local park that while practically in walking distance I haven't been to before, because they charge for parking, and truthfully it didn't look very interesting. So I parked on a side street, walked through the parking lot, and entered. To my surprise, it was much larger than it appeared on the inside, with paths leading down to a hollow surrounded by young redwoods. The noise of traffic was muffled there, and it was shady, wet and cool. I explored for a while, seeing the small amphitheater, the children's museum, and the old miniature railroad tracks that were disused now, covered with dirt tree litter. And then I went through a gate, and there was the Japanese Friendship Garden. There was a series of large shallow pools, small islands, and a waterfall tumbling down a small cliff of artfully placed boulders. Going up some nearby steps, I found another large lake, an island, a Japanese-style bridge going nowhere...and cherry trees. The trees were in early blossom, so I wandered in and around them. The trees were surrounded by bees, intent on the first thing to bloom near them.

And so I took some pictures. Here are a couple of the better ones (The rest will end up on my DA account):
















All of this put me in a much better state of mind, ready to face my evening's client. It's interesting how quickly I forget in this highly urbanized area how much a walk outside in quiet nature heals my moods. I think I'll remember that from now on. And I also think I'll learn to use that nice camera I was given.

[identity profile] sandpanther.livejournal.com 2011-01-20 03:27 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, I'd been wondering where that garden was. I've never been to it before and want to check it out sometime.

Just to be pedantic, those are plum blossoms. Cherries bloom later, and are a lighter pink. The confusion happens all the time.