All abuzz
Posted: September 24, 2009 Filed under: 365 Life in the Bogs Challenge, Adventures in art, Air, Autumn, Earth, garden, home, nature, Photography, Walking, wandering | Tags: bees, Dancing With the Stars, flowers, wildflowers 9 Comments
(126: Hide and seek. Photo © 2009 by Robin)
As you may have guessed, I have been feeling more than a little blah and blue lately, finding it difficult to get excited about much of anything including my photography. I realize it’s understandable and normal. It’s also frustrating in a way as the lack of energy and ambition has led to a further lack of energy and ambition and that, my friends, leads me to a messy house. Depressing.
Yes, yes, yes, I know. Honestly, I do. I know that a messy house is not the end of the world (a favorite phrase of Mom’s — “it’s not the end of the world”). I will not go to my grave regretting that I didn’t spend more time cleaning. It’s just… clutter and mess are not conducive to bringing me up and out of the blahs and blues. A disorganized house, for me, is a disorganized mind. They feed on each other, creating a cycle of clutter and depression. It’s about getting things under control although why I think things need to be under control is beyond me.
So yesterday I gave up on control and energy and ambition. I ignored my to-do list. I watched Dancing With the Stars on Hulu. That cheered me up a little. The bizarreness of their “star” choices is too funny. Tom Delay?? Good grief.
Then I stepped outside for a little while, bringing the camera along with me to take a picture of some flowers that my sister-in-law sent. I thought she might like to see them. My intention was to snap the shot, put the camera back in the house, and maybe wander around outside for a little while. I started out well. I took the photo of the pot of flowers. And then I got distracted by a low hum coming from the wildflower meadow. With camera in hand, I walked over to see what all the humming was about.
The meadow is buzzing with bees. All sorts of bees. Honey bees, bumble bees, and carpenter bees were the three I was able to identify with some degree of (un)certainty. There are so many bees that their hum and buzz is almost carried up into the house. One giant of a bee attracted my attention and the next thing I knew, I had all but forgotten to be blah and blue while I followed the bee around the goldenrod.
It was a lovely respite.
Life in the Bogs 
A distraction causing this sort of respite can be precious, can’t it?? Allow your mind to wander a little more often – the housework will get done when you feel up to doing some.
We tend to associate bees with their spring pollination which is so important but this appears to be an equally busy time for them and the air is full of their buzz. Busy, busy bees.
What’s even funnier than watching a “star” like that on that show is thinking about the very serious conversation between him and his PR person, as they discuss how it will be positive for his image, and coach him through looking like an utter fool. Maniacs. They need to get real lives to worry about. I’d rather worry about the state of my housekeeping, really.
I relate well to your housekeeping woes. Life runs more smoothly when you come home to a clean house.
I love bees. This one is gorgeous. Thanks for sharing your respite 🙂
I’m glad you had a break from things- and lost yourself in creative pursuit for a moment. What came of it is beautiful.
Bees are such hopeful creatures. I’m a little afraid of wasps, but I can’t be afraid of bees. Their hum seems friendly- and purposeful.
That’s a gorgeous picture. Yellow is such an uplifting color isn’t it?
I have the same issues with clutter as you do. Physical clutter in the space that is supposed to be my ‘castle’ seeps into my brain and weighs me down completely.
Fantastic color..and exquisite detail. Hope you’re feeling a little ‘better’???
When I get down and out or feeling blue I think of Moppet for he always makes me smile, no matter what. If you would like to see Moppet and let him make you smile and perk you up just a smidgen click on the following link: http://surfaceandsurfacephotography.com/2009/03/22/moppet-the-lion-king/
I’m not spamming here, honestly Moppet will make anyone smile, if not but just for a little bit. Sorry about your loss Robin.
These are my thoughts: That is a beautiful photo. But, my house gets cleaned every 3 months, whether it needs it or not. Bee’s are good creatures. Keep yourself busy, but remember to take for nature & all of it’s beauty, no matter what.
Robin, you are an inspiration to all who read your blogs. D
I’m so glad you allowed yourself to be led away by the hum.
You’re right. It’s depressing. Clutter adds to it. Lack of order adds to it. But it’s not the end of the world, just like you discovered.
Let yourself be led away. Your mom would want you to.
I’ve been getting behind in replying to comments so I’m just going to say a big THANK YOU to everyone for stopping by and commenting.
I spent a few more days following the bees around. They are fascinating. 🙂