Haven

[vaneramos]

Sunday afternoon along Victoria Road


I arrived home with considerable relief last night. How long has it been since I felt that way? Two years ago, my stomach would tighten in expectation of whatever new squalor and havoc the neighbours had created. Since then, inexplicably, they have settled down.

It hit me last night. A measure of peace has been restored. I enjoyed climbing the stairs and unlocking the door. I tossed my jacket and scarf over the armchair, simultaneously casting off some stress and sadness of the past few days. All the way from Toronto I had contemplated the leftover chicken and rice in the fridge. I piled them on a plate and shoved them in the microwave.

Living alone has its benefits. Later, I could leave the dishes in a pile. I could let dirty laundry collect on living room furniture all week. But I won't. I've been keeping the apartment neater lately, without particular effort. When a place becomes home, you cherish it.

This morning I crawled out of bed and baked ultra banana muffins (five whole bananas!), read Gibson over coffee, knitted a couple more rows of that interminable slipper, and wrote morning pages, before heading to the gym at 10:30.





~~~~~~~~~~

Today's feel-good gleanings:

• ABC to launch reality search for new muppet, from CBC
• A Big Ad, thanks to bjarvis
• Color perception is not in the eye of the beholder: it's in the brain, from Science Daily

Comments

[missprune.livejournal.com]

both words and photos are saturated in peace, that wondrous feeling when solitude is good.

[apel.livejournal.com]

Wonderful pictures. If that's how Guelph looks, I can understand why you want to live there.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

When it's good, exactly: when it works. It takes some building.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

I always drive along this particular country road on the way to Toronto (it's less than 10 minutes from my place), because it's so beautiful. These particular maples usually range into vermillion and crimson, but the colour has been subdued this fall because warm weather persisted through early October.

[bitterlawngnome.livejournal.com]

Oh thank ghod for that. It's so horrible not having a safe place of your own.

BTW do you know Brian Jarvis? he was among the instigators at Toronto's first bear event in 1991.

[dakoopst.livejournal.com]

It's so nice being able to close my eyes and see you moving about that space freely and comfortably. I'm very happy that transition is finally happening for you. :)

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Sure I know Brian! Remember this?

http://www.livejournal.com/users/vaneramos/99969.html

Of course you know me a lot better now.

[bitterlawngnome.livejournal.com]

DOH!

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

I think even the bathroom renovations made a profound difference in my attitude about the place. You didn't see it before, but it was hard to feel at home in such a hole.

[ubermunkey.livejournal.com]

Peace and solitude. Good God these two things are now becoming a must for me. No longer are they a plus when they occasionally happen. I don't want to let my life get to the point where I'm willing to let these be only occasional. Good to read that you are at that place. And yet again a nother lovely image.

Both of these tree images, strike me as metaphoric portals, gates, lines that you've crossed to get to where you are today.
Good on you.


Grace Peace and Love
Connor

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Peace: probably the thing I want most.

Solitude is a theme on the path to peace and wellbeing, for me anyway. One can get too much solitude. I became awfully reclusive for several years. Solitude became a trap. I was isolated and lonely. I'm starting to find a better balance now. Time alone and time connected.

Introverts who work in busy places have trouble getting enough solitude. I know. Danny is in that situation. On weekends he needs time to himself. Fortunately we like to share space without demanding attention. It's a pleasant arrangement.