Tuesday 19 July 2016

Nine Minutes

That (nine minutes) is about the time I have left before I am going to leave for work today. I have done some work here at the home office already but will spend the largest chunk of the day at our custmomer's, where RJ, our colleague and I share a small office. Except for in the server rooms down in the basement, there is no air conditioning in the building, and therefore we're in for a rather warm eight hours or so - it's forecast to be at nearly 30 Celsius here today.
I love it, because that is what summer is supposed to be, and it's not humid, just beautiful and sunny.

Anyway, here are a handful more summery pictures I wanted to show you before I go:

The view from my kitchen window these days; zoomed in and "as is":
 

O.K. brought these beautiful flowers for me the weekend before last (the day we ran the City Run):


My living room yesterday, with the flowers from O.K. and more flowers (on the sideboard) from my dear neighbour, the elderly lady whose garden you know so well through the views from my kitchen window:
 

Most of these 9 minutes were taken up by uploading the pictures. I have to go now, or I'll have to wait 20 minutes for the next train.

(Note how I have managed to avoid all talk of the horrible news we are flooded with day after day right now!)

14 comments:

  1. Sometimes you have to simply stop and look at the beautiful things for a while. If we look at the ugliness for too long, it overwhelms us. Here in the Baton Rouge area, many of us are looking for the beautiful things and trying to reach across what divides us to see what can unite us.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Our hearts ache for you and with you, Baton Rouge and America, and they are all the heavier for the collective weight of division the world over. McGregrr

      Delete
    2. Messymimi, it's possibly the only way forward; answer with beauty and reaching out instead of with more violence.

      Delete
  2. How much happiness you shared in nine minutes. Love the flowers and love the way your room looks after the redecorating. I am trying to avoid thinking too much about the sadness and horrors of the world. This is not really something new. I try to share positive things and help where I can. But sometimes it is not possible not to grieve for the poor world.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So true, Kristi.
      Thank you - I love my "new" living room, too, except for the TV set and the ugly little rack it is on. But it will do for now, until I come across something I really, really like. Very much a First World problem...!

      Delete
  3. Did OK have a great flourish on the trumpet as he handed over the flowers? He should have, they are lovely! Lovely summer views also.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kay, he did not :-) His trumpet stays safely at home when he comes to spend the weekend at my place. I've heard/seen him play as part of the orchestra a few weeks ago; next time is probably going to be just before Christmas!

      Delete
  4. I love the flowers, and that view out the window. And I'm all about avoiding horrible stories.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Nan. I am not completely shutting out the real world - how can I, being surrounded by so many people every day, who talk about things even if I'd choose not to watch the news anymore.
      But I do need to be able to retreat, and am so grateful that I can.

      Delete
  5. Looking from your windows at so much loveliness early in the mornings must make a new day even more special. Glad we are all trying hard to see past the horror and sadness in the world. The only way is to go forth and continue doing good things for those around us, little random acts of kindness, thinking positive thoughts, making plans for the future etc.
    Enjoy your week my dear.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Am doing, Mary, thank you!
      I may not be the most charitable of people, but in my limited sphere of influence I try to be good, not evil, be it in thoughts, words or deeds.

      Delete
  6. Well Meike you've brought a bit of colour and happiness into my morning. And, as I look at the clock, coincidentally I have about nine minutes left before I leave for work this morning (I'm working at my son's house that he's having built at the moment). PS I wish that I could stop watching the news.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Graham, I can not imagine you depended on my blog post for colour and happiness.
      What a funny coincidence, you having 9 minutes left before leaving for work, too!
      My method for not watching the news is simple: turn on the TV too late, when the main news program is over, or not at all... Talking to O.K. on the phone often around that time helps, too.

      Delete
    2. The idea of not turning on the news is not a concept I've managed to embrace so far. In fact I'm rather addicted to it. Perhaps I need an O.K. (so to speak).

      Delete