View from My Window

I took this photo from my desk which sits in a bay of windows. It is a most peaceful place.  The sunflowers that are framed in the window to my right were not planted.  They grew up from seeds that were either haplessly discarded by birds who didn't like sunflower seeds, or by the not so gentle spring winds that blew the seeds to the ground and went unnoticed until they sprouted.  I chose to leave them to their growth.  They are rather spindly, dry, and not so lovely at the moment.  There was the thought that I should cut them down and harvest the drooping heads.  I'm happy to report that I did not listen to myself on that particular subject.  They have become such a source of enjoyment for me as well as the birds. It never occurred to me that the birds would use the broad leaves for a perch as they harvested the seeds for a summer treat each morning.  It has become a favorite quiet moment for me to watch them.  They are less than three feet away from me, but due to the sunshades on the windows, they don't notice my close eye.


I recently read the book One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp. I think that if everyone read this book, the world would be changed!  I highly recommend it.  So each post, I shall list a couple of things that I am thankful for - there are many!


1- The view from my window.  Each day I have the gift of looking out at land that except for the change of the seasons, is green.  There are no prying neighbors, no industry, no walls.
2- The gift of a husband who has loved me and put up with my follies  for over 34 years now.
3- Airconditioning!!  It's over 100 degrees today. Siestas are a gift too!!