I had a rather unpleasant experience yesterday and today--in all honesty, it wasn't as bad as I had feared and the results (Thank you, Lord) could not have been better. How do I put this delicately? Does the phrase "flashlight test" mean anything to anyone?
Anyway--my usual 'happy place' at the beach just wasn't doing it for me, compounded by the fact that I was at the place in my life where I was even DUE for this particular experience!

So, I decided to build a new one--a happy place, that is.

I love wisteria--the shape of the petals, the colors, the fragrance. And I remembered an old grape arbor strung over a clothesline at an aunt's house when I was a child. My cousins and I would play for hours under there. And I love dragonflies--possibly the ONLY insect I get along with. And the sound of water, yes, definitely water. And no Southern girl could rest and relax without a white rocker, some pretty white wicker tables and chairs (with pansy flowered cushions) and, of course, a swing--big enough for two friends to sit together and share or for one to lie in and dream while gently pushing off with a toe.

So, here I sit. The wisteria hangs from the arbor roof and down all the sides in dreams of lavender and white-gold. The scent is heavenly. The dragonflies--red and blue and green with flashing wings--dart about the rock fountain in the corner where the water splashes gently down. The white table is set with iced tea (sweet, of course) and my favorite coconut cookies. A few of my best-loved books are on the cushioned loveseat. The air is cool and the breeze is soft.
And I'm in my happy place once again.