This post is one that I am bringing back as an entry in the Sunday Stills Challenge, issued weekly by Terri Webster Schrandt, on her very popular blog, Second Wind Leisure. This Week’s topic is Waterworld and is a subject we have featured often on Easin’ Along. I hope Terri’s readers enjoy it.
By the time this week’s (short) post is published, I will be well into the third week of recovery from knee replacement surgery. Although things are going well, I admit to being somewhat of a “grump-a-potamus.” I can’t exactly tell you what a grump-a-potamus is, or what one looks like, but I am certain that the enlightened, highly intelligent readership of Easin’ Along gets the idea. Simply put, I haven’t been my usual, loveable, fuzzball self. Something needed to change or else I was going to have to hide all of the sharp objects within reach.
Earlier this week, I took a break from my crossword puzzle to read an article on the positive effects that living near water can have on one’s attitude. The article mentioned that, while green-space (parks, forests, hiking trails, etc.) can and do have a positive effect on one’s health, blue-space or living near water (oceans, lakes, creeks, and even fountains), is far superior for what it can do to improve health and happiness. Suddenly, a light came on inside of my Tylenol-filled head…I needed some water, and I needed it right then.
I admit that water settings give me great pleasure and I have written about this before. We always search out campsites near water for our travels. Helen prefers the beach and the waves, whereas I find myself partial to creeks and streams—I don’t like sand in my stuff—but, if it’s wet, it’s good.
For thirteen wonderful years, Helen and I lived on a home we built above the Tennessee River. During that time, whenever I found myself in of need an “attitude adjustment”, all I had to do was get a glimpse of the water flowing behind our house and most of my cares and concerns would either float away or at least move to the back of my mind. I no longer have that view, but, if water was good for me then, it had to be good for me now.
My doctor’s orders currently prevent me from driving to places with a view of the water, but, after reading the article mentioned above, I found a cure for the grumps that I want to share. I searched through some picture files and found a folder filled with pictures of water scenes from the past four years of Easin’ Along the retired road and another folder containing a picture of our lake view (above). These pictures were as good as handing me a cocktail (something else that I’m supposed to avoid). I received a much-needed lift from these scenes…maybe they’ll brighten your day as well. At the bottom of this post is a video I made over a year ago, I hope you enjoy it in its re-run. Now, let’s go Easin’ Along through some blue space together.
What is a grump-a-potamus anyway?
