Thursday, September 27, 2012

SIMPLE PLEASURES



 Simple Pleasures by Jason Theaker. See Jason's photos here 

A poem by William Stafford ...

You, Reading This, Be Ready

Starting here, what do you remember?
How sunlight creeps along a shining floor?
What scent of old wood hovers, what softened
Sound from outside fills the air?

Will you ever bring a better gift for the world
Than the breathing respect that you carry
Wherever you go right now? Are you waiting
For time to show you some better thoughts?

When you turn around, starting here, lift this
New glimpse that you found; carry into evening
All that you want from this day. This interval you spent
Reading or hearing this, keep it for life --

What can anyone give you greater than now,
Starting here, right in this room, when you turn around?


Having discovered Jason Theaker's beautiful photography here,  I found his list of Simple Pleasures here which got me thinking about a few simple pleasures in my own life....

Early morning mist in the forest
The slate blue of stormy skies
The smell of wood smoke on an icy breeze
The contented chirp of guinea fowl scratching for food
Walking for miles along an empty beach
Following the cows home at dusk after a day's fishing


A cache of Wild Coast pebbles


A sun beam shining across my desk
Book browsing and coffee 




Soft piles of wood shavings....
Forgetting everything but the piece I'm carving



All photos are mine except for the first photo by Jason Theaker

44 comments:

  1. such a wonderful thoughtful post Robyn xo

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  2. What a beautiful poem.....and those pleasures seem more 'rich' than simple to me. It looks like you live a very wonderul life.......and your totem speaks to me already....repeating your words.....I'm off to chart my simple pleasures....crisp clean cool 'after a desert rain' morning air....

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  3. Thank you, Robyn, a moment of solace and beauty.

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  4. WOW! i really needed this this morning . . (i am on my way to do a 'stress test' to make sure my ticker is working as it should)
    thank you!

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  5. Beautiful imagery and words to remind us to appreciate the every day graces! Thank you :)

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  6. Robyn such a beautiful post. And I would have to count reading your blog is one of my simple pleasures.
    xxoo

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  7. oh what a beautiful poem, post and set of photographs... & simple pleasures? starting each morning stitching a bit more hope into the blue

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  8. What a beautiful post, I haven't read that poem, wonderful and thought provoking. Thanks for sharing.

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  9. i'm all smiles here, robyn... : )

    xoxo

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  10. Such a beautiful post...especially that last photo.

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  11. The best of life is the revelry of the moment.

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  12. I love that poem and your list of simple pleasures some are so similar to mine, of course I dont work in wood but what I work in also gives me pleasure.
    Walking Max up the hill on a fresh morning

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  13. I love your cache of moments, of thoughts, memories ...
    cloth and threads give me comfort and pleasure. I will take a few moments to indulge today.

    Jacky xox

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  14. I exhaled
    and sighed,"oh yeah..."

    love coming here..

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  15. sinking deep into your carving is what's important.

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  16. The totem look great can't wait to see the finished product!

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  17. All the "simple" pleasures you are describing, are life's real true pleasures; lucky those who recognize them...
    I am so glad you do!

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  18. forgetting everything...but the.... Ahhhhhhha.

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  19. Those words are going onto my studio inspiration board....

    ...where I can just look up and read them now and again.

    ...and I know exactly what you mean when you talk about being in your creative space....just you and what you're working on...

    ...right now...

    x C

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  20. I think everyone said it all for me except Thank you!!

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  21. You say champagne is served with this ;)

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  22. Such beautiful words, thoughts and photos. Now is all we have.xoxo

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  23. So much talent you have. Your post has given me a thoughtful morning. Thank you. pj

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  24. it's all been said...i'm just placing a pebble on the wall to show that i've been here :0)

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  25. There is so much to be thankful for...and your post expresses this beautifully.

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  26. Lovely words and photographs Robyn. I would love to see photographs of your surroundings though - I love to hear about your work and so often I wonder what the countryside around you is like.

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  27. the simple pleasures fill my heart with the greatest joy...beautiful offerings Robyn.

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  28. the poet says it well... it really is those ordinary random moments that are so precious. I'm glad you are enjoying those moments...

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  29. R-the ordinary can be so extraordinary - so important to savour the simple things. Love your imagery. B

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  30. Another wonderful post.. this one seems peaceful and calming.. and makes me want to think about my favorite simple things too.. and William Stafford is one of my favorites. He was a pacifist and against all wars and I have his book of poetry on his thoughts for peace.

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  31. What a wonderful post - the photos, the poem and this idea of realising the simple joyful moments in our lives! We are so different and yet have so much in common!
    All this reminded me of Sue and her wonderful blog "Mouse notebook", where she shared her decision to write down several things that have made her happy. EVERY day. Here's the post - http://mousenotebook.blogspot.com/2010/01/things-i-have-liked-today.html

    Well, I wrote such an improvised diary for some months and it's so interesting to read it now and to go back to those lovely moments that I've had! What I realised is that even in the most desperate day, when you feel miserable, tired, angry or unhappy, there's at least one thing that brings joy to your eyes or soul, or heart... Just try and you'll see!:)))

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  32. Great post Robyn...now I am ready for some peaceful fishing and totem carving. I love your flags in the last post.

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  33. Such beautiful images of simple pleasures...so important to hold onto them.

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  34. What a perfect post to begin my week with. Thank you! I really do believe that the ability to appreciate the small and simple things in life is a gift and a blessing. I love your list!
    xoxoxo

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  35. A beautiful post as always - and those pebbles are stunning.

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  36. That poem stopped me right in my tracks, and things just got better from there.

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  37. Collecting junk at the beach ;-)

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  38. Beautiful words and photos!

    The best things in life are free!

    Gaby xo

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  39. Apologies for putting the word verification back. The spam was just pouring in!

    Jeane, I did a similar post a while back but when I found this poem I decided it was time to contemplate on simple pleasures again.

    over the rainbow, "crisp clean cool after a desert rain" .... I can almost smell it.

    Valerianna, glad you enjoyed the moment.

    Rebeca, hope the ticker is working well :-)

    Ruth, we need reminding sometimes :-)

    Thank you Judy!

    Mo, I've enjoyed following your meditative stitchings.

    Sandra, glad you enjoyed the poem. It's always a joy to discover a poem that resonates especially when you havn't read it before.

    Lynne :-) xoxo

    Thanks so much Jennifer.

    Linda, indeed. It simplifies life to revel in the moment.

    Penny, walking the dog on a fresh morning is on my list too .... though I can do without steep hills.

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  40. Jacky, though I havn't indulged yet I imagine stitching slow cloths are ideal ways of enjoying simple pleasures.

    Thanks Kim xo

    Grrl, ... and I enjoy entertaining you in my virtual studio :-)

    Velma, indeed... carving can be what ever I make of it. If my ideas go too big in my limited workspace it can be stressful but finding the balance and carving just the right sized pieces is a meditative experience.

    Cathy, thanks so much. I'm very pleased with the finished piece and will post soon.

    Gwen, yes!

    Anna, sometimes I need to be reminded. The poem came at the right time.

    Ms, yes! The Ahhhha is essential :-)

    Chris, words to make one stop and breath in the beauty of the moment xox

    Lyle, always a pleasure!

    Mansuetude, aahhh yes champagne served at dusk overlooking the river ... or the sea .... or the mountains.

    Thanks so much PJ, it was a soothing post to prepare.

    India, well you know I am passionate about pebbles...

    Thanks Jo, it's a hot day today and I'm thankful for the breeze. It makes all the difference.

    Weaver, it's time I prepared another post about my neck of the woods. In the mean time I think if you type Kwazulu Natal into the search box at the top of the blog you will find a few posts showing my surroundings.

    Laura, your blog posts often make me aware of the simple pleasures, especially in nature.

    Sharmon, this poem really spoke to me. Glad you enjoyed it too.

    Barry, indeed the ordinary CAN be so extraordinary.

    Donna, I'm glad you mentioned Stafford's poetry book. I'll look out for it.

    Rossichka, thanks for the link.I enjoyed browsing Sue's blog. As you mentioned one can always find something to brighten one's day.... or clouds with silver linings.

    Lisa G, I don't do much fishing but I love trailing after my man when he goes off fishing. I can potter in the rocks for hours on end.

    Fiona, it's amazing how many things you can add to the list when you stop and take notice.

    Thanks Angela, when reading Jason's list my imagination took flight. Thinking about those simple pleasures in life puts one in such a good frame of mind... xoxox

    Heather, even when carrying heavy bags of pebbles for miles my heart lifts at the thought of my pebble garden back home.

    Leslie, exactly! The poem opens one's eyes to all the amazing moments in our lives.

    Wim, oh yes.. beach gathering is very important!

    Thanks Gaby, there are times when we need reminding xo

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  41. This is just to let you know how I ALWAYS enjoy visiting your most inspiring blog! Please know that you have a bunch of readers here in Holland. Thank you Robyn!

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  42. Oh this is such a lovely post of noticing the moment and holding on to beautiful thoughts. Thank you for this,
    roxanne

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