Monday, August 5, 2013

JEWELED NECKLACE




Last spring I took the above photo of a huge spider web that was awash in raindrops from a passing storm. When I noticed it on my small deck my words were, "oh, a jeweled necklace." The web's raindrops were like large diamonds glittering as the sun returned from parts of a darkened sky. 

Today I ran across this raindrop photo in my archives while looking for a post photo. I have had almost no time to photograph or write while continuing to pack and organize, getting ready for my cross-country move to Utah. 

As I studied the photo I realized the spider's web provided him/her with all the necessities of living. A place to rest, eat, bask in the sun, shower and just hang out. For the spider, beauty is in his home -life and surroundings. He carries no baggage only his wits that provide security. 

Inspiration! -- lets see what else I can live without! I sat down and started to rethink what I can do without on my trip across country. Do I really need all those items I was packing?

So now I am busy unpacking some things. I am changing my U-Haul to a smaller size and I feel great about it. Less and less feels good. 

No I won't have as little as the spider but I still feel that perhaps my new place in Utah can be my jeweled necklace. At least for now ...

~ ~ barbara

28 comments:

  1. What a jewel of a refection, here, Barbara and a jewel of a photo. It is an interesting process, to detach from material objects...Best of luck to you & good wishes!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rita -- It was interesting to me that I found my web photo just when I was feeling the most overwhelmed from packing. The photo made me rethink what was important to bring along to Utah. Agree that detaching from "things" is a valuable process -- thanks ~~ barbara

      Delete
  2. Goosebumps! I love it when folks figure out how many things can go and how to truly lighten the load. Love your photo and observations. Wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Teresa -- One time I observed a hornet pulling a very large dead spider up the wall of my house. He struggled and struggled but really never made it to his destination. Perhaps this is how we sometimes are -- attempting to keep too large of a load. thanks ~~ barbara

      Delete
  3. Very nice and I like your header picture!! My move is over for the most part. I still have too much "stuff" and have room left. Things survived this time but next time no way. There was quite a few pretty nice things that are gone. The smaller trailer is an excellent idea

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. One Fly -- thanks for the comment on my header. I envy that you are finished with your move. Interesting note in your comment that some things survived. Getting a smaller U-Haul will force me to take less. Hope you are now having a chance to relax and enjoy your new place. ~~ barbara

      Delete
  4. A beautiful photograph -- jewels, indeed.

    Taking life lessons from nature sounds like mature wisdom. There is so much we do not need, but that only becomes apparent, I think, after we've had more than we need.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. June -- Moving is stressful and being able to step outside and observe nature lessens this feeling. One thing is certain I will miss this wilderness patch when I leave -- thanks for the comment ~~ barbara

      Delete
  5. You have a wonderful way of thinking.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Michelle -- thanks for the kind comment, Life has a way of handing us an open book to write upon. ~~ barbara

      Delete
  6. You've been in my thoughts and I have wondered how your move was progressing. I didn't realize what a long distance move you were making. You'll have a whole new world to explore, photograph, and write about!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Florence -- About 2000 miles to my destination. Along with my 95 pound dog -- should provide some entertainment. At my age life is better in the slow lane -- that is where I will be as I travel across. thanks for the comment ~~ barbara

      Delete
  7. Less is more as they say. I always pack too much when I'm travelling. But don't forget that photo of the jewellery.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RuneE -- Like that quote -- "Less is more." I think I will write it out in large letters and tack it on my mirror in my bathroom. Surely it will remind me everyday until I leave to take less. thanks ~~ barbara

      Delete
  8. You have such an eye for colour, beauty, Barbara. Brought back memories of a small poetry book given to me when eight years olds. Each alternative page a poem and opposite a photograph, one of a spider's web covered with dew. Can see it in my mind now, even though, sadly, the book long gone.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Carole Anne -- Our memories are placed securely in our mind -- a book from long ago is now gone yet not really. It is in our mind's archives to be plucked and savored at will. All the more reason to use RuneE's quote above -- less is more. thanks ~~ barbara

      Delete
  9. Oh! I just love that photo. What an artist eye you have!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Diane -- thanks for the nice comment. hope you are having a great summer
      ~~ barbara

      Delete
  10. I think you've got the right approach to it all. And I look forward to learning more about Utah. I've never been there but know it has a special beauty in its own way....:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. troutbirder -- I am sure it will be a land of discovery for me. Surely different than Kentucky. I don't think that the states are one homogeneous region -- my feeling is that there are many different cultures alive and well in our country. It does have beauty that is breath taking. thanks `` barbara

      Delete
  11. I can't wait for you to begin your move and get settled in. Looking forward to some great photos!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Diane -- I did a little research on the canyon where I will be living and found out it is registered as a historic canyon. This has me wondering what this is all about. All places have some mystery to them don't you think? thanks ~~ barbara

      Delete
  12. You are so wise. I could go for a minimalist way of living.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hattie -- As I recently heard on a Terry Gross NPR interview with a famous composer who said, "let go of the chaos." Believe this idea not only helps with our mental state but with the state of the world. The composer felt that stuff is chaos. thanks ~~ barbara

      Delete
  13. Beautiful photo --and what a lesson! I admire you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Vicki -- Life is beautiful in so many ways don't you think. Many of the ways we take for granted. thanks ~~ barbara

      Delete
  14. wow! what a beautiful post! just simply beautiful, we could all do with a little less... thanks for pointing that out, I hope the move went well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sublime Birdy -- We are constantly exposed to consumerism. It is interesting to ourselves when we sit down and examine the reasons why we are ~~ barbara

      Delete