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Fly Away

July 08, 2006

ph_aug_ladybug.jpg

Ladybug ~ Canon 30d

Okay, okay.. I said I wasn't going to post for awhile because I'm visiting Rivanna River Days here in Charlottesville, but you know how that goes. Both of us have been talking like crazy since the moment I arrived... to point we've talked each other out. Joan is downstairs taking a nap, and I'm tapping away on the keyboard as the Rivanna River slowly eases by, just a couple stone's throws away from the back porch.

I'm one of those people who, when transported to a relaxing, beautiful location, goes into downshifting mode. I'm not an "overdrive" personality... not even close. Just sitting on Joan's screened-in porch this morning while listening to the birds and feeling the soft breeze on my skin put my mind and body into a lower gear. A slower pace. One that's keeping time with the river. For a moment I thought I might be coming down with something, but after lunch and much cuddling with cats and the two most adorably huggable and loveable dogs in the world, I think my body is simply downshifting. You know how it goes... you're driving your car in 4th or 5th gear and suddenly downshift into 1st or 2nd... there's a lurching sensation, a tugging and whining as the engine is suddenly forced to slow down.

My friend Rob always says I'm a rare desert flower... sensitive to the smallest variances in the environment. Does everyone have this sensation, or RDFS (Rare Desert Flower Syndrome) a malady very few experience? Unlike the ladybug atop this entry, I've flown away from home ~ but flying toward a new found friend, surrounded by nature and animals who know how to hug is, in many ways, like coming home.

Unfortunately, this trip will be filed under "unphotographable". I loaned my camera to a very dear friend this week so he'd have a reliable back-up system while shooting a job in the Napa Valley. (Yes... my camera is enjoying wine, cheese and crackers as I write this.) Words will have to suffice, because some things, like relaxation and down-shifting don't have an f-stop, and surely, they don't have a shutter speed!

{ photo taken in Georgetown last month }

Posted by vincent at July 8, 2006 06:50 PM

Comments

So nice to plop down into a new surrounding and be embraced by the hugs and warmth. Glad you are having such a relaxing time away. Enjoy the downshift...

Posted by: samtzmom at July 8, 2006 07:27 AM

I can almost feel that shift with you - most definitely can identify with RDFS as far back as I can remember! - enjoy and absorb..

Posted by: katie at July 8, 2006 03:57 PM

I can sometimes downshift nicely on vacation; it is a bit dependent on the environment though...

Posted by: dan at July 8, 2006 07:57 PM

I'm a downshifterizer, myself. Recently I was back east (Maryland... but not time to visit other Bloggists! I would have loved to meet you.) We spent 3 days in a friend's house on the river. We napped, sat, moseyed, snoozed, read books, and ate. It was heavenly, slow and wonderful. I know what you mean about feeling as if you're living at the pace of the earth or the river. I felt that way too.

Posted by: Wandering Willow at July 8, 2006 10:57 PM

I understand what you mean about downshifting -- it also happens in reverse for me if I am in a hectic environ. I wonder, do you think your downshifting is happening differently because you do not have your camera?

Posted by: Mata H at July 9, 2006 10:41 AM

Three cheers for downshifting Oh yes, I react not only to the environment but the people I am with...........so glad you are relaxing and enjoying. Hope your camera returns soon.

I LOVE the ladybug shot.

Posted by: janet at July 9, 2006 05:13 PM

Susan,

All I can say is yes! I also downshifted during your visit, finding such pleasure in just being with a friend ... not worrying about the time or things left undone. I can always manage that when I'm away, but when I'm home, there is always so much to do and time moves too quickly. You helped me slow down ... here's to more visits and downshifting.

Joan

Posted by: jzr at July 9, 2006 08:15 PM