r & r at the beach

One of my favorite places in the whole world is Bear Lake on the Utah/Idaho border.  My family has a cabin there and we would go up almost every weekend when I was growing up.  It brings a sense of relaxation and joy every time I reminisce of my time spent there.  Sun bathing, napping, reading, boating and going on nice long walks up the beach.   I get excited any chance I get to go back and visit!

This lovely image by photoangie spoke to my soul.  I love the processing and overall emotion behind this stunning image.  Thanks as always for sharing :)

Have a lovely day!
April of April Newman Photography

infinity by photoangie

"cat" nap

"Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring--it was peace." 
-Milan Kundera

Taking a cat nap with my dog is one of my favorite things to do.  In my photo above, I am lying down on a blanket with my dog on a beautiful warm day in the park.  When I gazed up, I loved the perspective of my husband napping up on the bench above Willow's big ear as she snoozed in the afternoon sun.  Enter the iPhone.

Angie*Allen's photo below gives me that same mellow, cozy, safe feeling.  What better way to spend a morning or afternoon than cuddling up with a furry and loyal friend?  I wish everyone a relaxing Sunday.

See you soon.

~christy of urban muser

Mar 3, 2011 by Angie*Allen

escaping into other worlds

I enjoyed books and music from an early age. I started learning the piano when I was four years old and when I feel life is really getting on top of me, I often find myself tinkling the old ivories. There's nothing like playing a three-part invention by Bach when I'm feeling angry, or some Gershwin when I'm going for a more lyrical feel. I sometimes play piano duets with a good friend and it's lovely to share the laughter and fun with her as we run through some old favourites. Both my children are also learning how to play and appreciate music and I hope that in times of need, they will also find music to be a source of relaxation, just as I do.

When I'm not playing the piano I love to tuck into a good book. My daughter has already shown us her love for books, but my son is still a bit young to read on his own. I do hope he likes books as much as the girl in RubyT's picture; what a wonderful engrossed expression.

kirstin of fleeting moments

engrossed by Ruby T

fleeting moments

early morning light by jogo

Thank you to Jo, a regular contributor to the Mortal Muse flickr groups, for taking my spot this round. I hope you show her some muse love. I’ll be back next time to muse on shapes.
xo maureen

Musing on relaxation . . .  I’m not really sure I know what relaxation is. Generally speaking I’m in a constant state of motion, if not physically, well then mentally. But there are times when I can feel still, fleetingly, and I can feel totally relaxed and just enjoy being and not doing.

Like those last moments of slumber when I can wake up and listen to the resident blackbird with the early morning sunlight slipping through a chink in the curtains and falling across the bedclothes, spreading its warmth. And I know that I still have time left to myself before its time to get up and start the day. And my mind can drift off for a while, with the blackbird song, to daydreams of countryside and birdsong and butterflies and flowers… and my camera …and then the alarm goes off…
 
I love the mood of relax from Deanna as she is snapped from behind catching a few fleeting moments of relaxation of her own.

guest muse JoGo

RELAX (For Mortal Muses Theme, Relax) by dks10

the front porch

I've often joked that I am in a constant state of relaxation. I just don't seem to get worked up as much as I did years ago. But, in those moments where I do need a break, I allow my mind to fall back into memories of sitting in a rocking chair on the front porch. With that in mind, I thought this poem by JRR said it best:

Sitting on the front porch
After the sun goes down
Takes me back to my childhood
With no one else around

Watching the lightning bugs
Shine their tiny lights
Like fairies at play
Dancing in the night

Frogs croaking in the pond
Bullfrogs adding bass to their song
Crickets adding tenor
Could make you feel that nothing could go wrong

The lonely soulful cry of the whip-poor-will
Calling for its mate
Finally an answer in the distance
The closer together, no long can they wait

A gentle summer breeze
Moving without a sound
Bringing the sweet scent of hay
Freshly cut, laying on the ground

Those memories come flooding back
Reminding me of happier, simpler times
When trouble seemed minimal
And all the time in the world was mine

Doesn't that poem and this image by SightSpecific just take you back to your childhood? There are so many times that I only wish I could go back to such simplicity. Instead, I'll simply remember, reflect and relax.

Until next time,
Ashley of Ramblings and Photos

day 99/4.9.10 by SightSpecific

daydreaming

Life is like a speeding train at the moment.  The end of the school year approaches, I am squeezing in a freelance project before the summer break, and relaxation is somewhat mythical.  Although I admit, I do make time on my weekends to just sit and read a book if only for twenty minutes.  Those moments are essential for my sanity.  I went digging through my archives to find this photo from last September when I spent almost an entire Saturday in our hammock on one of the last hot days of summer.  I recall feeling so lethargic that I actually hollered for my hubby to please bring me my camera since I couldn't be bothered to do it myself.  Thankfully he's an accommodating guy.

I love not only the abstract feel of Clare-B's photo, other than that exquisite sliver of focus, but also its title -- drifting into dreams -- it evokes what true relaxation is about for me, being without plans or even conscious thoughts, time to daydream. Spa not necessary, just time and space...... 

cheers,
mosey of mosey along

Drifting into Dreams by Clare-B

soothing water

There is something about water that soothes me, body and soul. It's as if the water carries away all of the surface worries, allowing my spirit to float calm and free from care. For those minutes in the water, I am in a different place. Bath or shower or walking in the surf as magdibaldoni shows below, it doesn't seem to matter. The water washes over me and I come out refreshed and renewed. Does that happen to you?

Here's to a week of relaxation! I was calmed just looking at the images in the pool for this theme. I think it's going to be a great week with the Muses, to settle in and relax.

Kat of The Kat Eye View of the World

En el agua by magdibaldoni 

and the next theme is... RELAX

Taking it easy. by kirstinmckee

For the next nine days, we invite you to share the relaxing moments of your life. 

relaxing by michel feist

What do you enjoy when you are trying to unwind?  What pampers your tired soul the most?

Day 322 by AprilMN

Make sure to visit tomorrow morning.  I will be musing on HERE COMES THE SUN!

xo tammy lee