Slow Down and Saunter

Aaaahhh, so nice to have some good "sauntering" weather finally. Walking is one thing and I do my share of it at a good pace. But sauntering is different and often much more pleasant, especially if you happen to be sauntering through the woods or a lovely garden. I consider myself a pro at this and have many lovely memories of the walks I used to take with my kids when they were toddlers, slowing down and stopping to observe the awesome beauty in a puddle, stick or dandelion. 

I looked up "sauntering" and discovered that there is actually a World Sauntering Day, celebrated on June 19 every year. Who knew? The purpose is to remind people to slow down and enjoy life as opposed to rushing through it. Also called International Sauntering Day. I love it.

Some of you may know that Thoreau was a great advocate of sauntering. I bought a t-shirt similar to this one once when we visited The Thoreau Society in Concord, MA. At the Walden Pond Gift Shop, as a matter of fact (if you can believe Walden Pond really has a gift shop, LOL. Wonder what Henry would say about THAT?) Cannot find mine anymore.

So I did some really nice sauntering a few days ago in order to reclaim my sanity after a busy week. Thought you'd enjoy pictures.

As a single footstep will not make a path on the earth, so a single thought will not make a pathway in the mind. To make a deep physical path, we walk again and again. To make a deep mental path, we must think over and over the kind of thoughts we wish to dominate our lives. -Henry David Thoreau

A pretty bench if you tire of sauntering . . . .

"Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul alike."  John Muir

The Chicago Botanic Garden has numerous varieties of Allium - the ornamental onion plant.  So delicate and pretty. Blooming all over the place.

There it is again, my favorite blue door to the English Walled Garden. If you see it, you know where I've been (the Chicago Botanic Garden).

"It is a great art to saunter."

Have a lovely weekend!

-Kathy