Have the last few weeks of staying at home awakened something in you?
The dictionary describes awakening as a recognition, realization, or coming into awareness of something. The example? a rude awakening to the disagreeable facts. That about explains it!
Awakening can mean the revival of an old interest or trying a new hobby. Lately, most of us have plenty of time to explore some new interests or revive old ones.
We call this leisure. We might have too much right now. Oh darn.
Some folks have awakened their creativity with crafts and art projects. Since I was a teen, I have enjoyed sewing. My old machine finally gave up, so I will be looking for a new one soon. Maybe one that quilts and embroiders!
Over the years, I tried a variety of other crafts like scrapbooking, rug hooking, crochet, and something called yarn art or “tuck and cut.” Some long abandoned, as shown in the picture. Anyone remember macramé?
As a young adult, I painted and drew with pen and ink and oil pastels. Once the kids were born, I put most of those projects away. I dabbled in painting 11 years ago after I met my husband and created this for him. Acrylic on a water-eroded wood plank.
Others have spent more time in their own backyards gardening, lounging, and pruning, not necessarily in that order. Many of us have grabbed our lenses and taken a closer look at flowers, insects, and birds that inhabit our yards or have spent time organizing digital and hard-copy photos.
Sunflowers awaken a petal at a time.
Still others are just experiencing the awakening of spring in the northern hemisphere after a long winter or enjoying the fall in the southern hemisphere.
Perhaps you have awakened to the idea of exploring more writing projects or registering for an online education course.
Of course, every morning we awaken to a new day.
Here in Northern California, dawn comes early (5:30am) I recently began a Biblical-based meditation series called soul space. The app directs you through a 5-minute meditation that begins the day quietly and calmly, just what I need to combat monkey-mind!
I just read that Sacramento County along with the San Francisco Bay area upgraded stay-at-home orders through May 22, with some re-opening of services and leisure spaces. The American River Bike Trail has been open during this time. When I need a workout, and to clear my head, a 60-minute bike ride works for me!
What has awakened in you these past weeks as we continue to stay at home? Show us in photos, music, poetry, and stories.
Sharing for Jude’s Being Creative with Light and Cee’s Flower of the Day.
I am pleased to share that we welcomed 8 new Sunday Stills participants in April. Please visit if you haven’t already. Backroads and Other Stories, Bellazaria, Easin’ Along, JP the Wide-Eyed Wanderer, Louis Dallara Photography, Stine Writing, Susan Rushton, and Transition of Thoughts.
My hope is we, as the resilient human beings that we are, will continue to enjoy and explore our newly awakened or revisited leisure pastimes!
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Second Wind Leisure Perspectives 
Great pictures, Terri. I’m not one for crafts other than writing, but I have been out on my bike every day. My legs are so much stronger than when lock-down started!
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Thanks, Stevie, and that is great news about how cycling has improved your body! My daily pushups get easier each day, too!
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Lovely images Terri, I especially love your sunflower! Our contribution for this week’s lovely challenge is here: https://tranature.com/2020/05/03/haiku-fruits-of-tomorrow/
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I’m hoping for another crops of beautiful sunnies, Xenia! Thank you.
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Thanks for the special mention in your post. 😀 😀
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Always, Cee!
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I like your painting. Maybe it’s time to pick up a brush again. Here’s mine: https://grahamsisland.com/2020/05/03/dawn-chorus/
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Thank you, Graham! I enjoy painting on those small canvases, too. I hope we can all revisit some old hobbies!
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I enjoyed creating today’s post. It is good to think about awakenings in the middle of all the gloom. Like you I went for vibrant colours.
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https://www.theplatinumline.blog/the-snuff-mills-community-garden-bristol/
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Like waking from a bad dream…
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I feel lazy now, lol. I’ve been reading and enjoying my garden with a little writing on the side- that’s about it 🙂
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No way, Jacquie, I wish I had your stamina for writing…I’m easily distracted. I just bought Sweetheart Cove and Sunset Beach. Looks like some great summer reading.
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Yay! Thank you, Terri 🙂
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Awaking is such a great theme. Your photos are inspiring.
Love the positive energy! Glad you are staying well and staying active.
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Thank you, dear Donna! We spent yesterday at the delta day camping while hubby windsurfed. I could have been more active but the wind was cold and I just chased the dogs around on the beach. Hope you are staying safe too!
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Sounds very well rounded. Stay safe.
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Great shadow and the light at dawn is beautiful. Thanks for linking to me Terri. And although I am not a crafter now, I do remember macrame 😊
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Thanks, Jude! And I’m not even sure how to do macrame. We did projects in junior high…1973!
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I still have a wall hanging from 1975! And possibly a hanging plant holder.
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I’m a bit like you Terri – have tried SO many things over the years. Sewing, knitting, crocheting, painting, competitive swimming, horseback riding….I could go on and on. Thankfully photography, golf and piano have stuck and have served well during “lockdown”. Here’s hoping those who over-reacted to the lifting of regulations recognize the importance of continued precautions!
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A busy lady, Tina! Your three chosen pastimes are so diverse and will last a lifetime!
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Well, I discovered banana bread again during this lockdown period. I wouldn’t say I have found my love of baking again because I’ve never been a good cook, but my love of banana bread came flooding back, Terri.
I’ve also discovered that I can negotiate. With some contracts coming up for renewal, rather than just accept the new monthly price, I’ve called the supplier and negotiated myself a better deal. Now I’m paying less per month for my mobile phone, broadband and TV package. I’m proud of myself.
But, best of all, I’ve discovered that I can sleep better. Not sure how, but since lockdown, I’ve slept far better than I ever did. That one I need to look into further, Terri.
Have a great week.
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I’m not much of a cook, either, Hugh, but I love banana bread and yours looks delish! Glad you found your inner negotiator, a very useful skill! I think we are all so weary these days, that better sleep is pure survival!
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I like that we’re all shaking up our lives. If not for the lost jobs and incomes, this wouldn’t be so devastating. But there is that…
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Hi Terri, I love your painting of the wind surfer. You are artistic in many ways! I have taken up walking since I can’t swim right now. That is also necessary because I have also taken up baking. There is something very concrete and reassuring about baking things. I don’t even generally like to cook. Soon I will be able to plant flowers and my garden and then I love to tend to them. Gardening is a nice activity and gets me out for some sunshine and fresh air which is most needed these days.
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Thank you, Michele! I had to chuckle at your need for walking correlates to your love of baking! I’m sure you are ready for warm weather, too. I just clicked to your blog and realized I didn’t get the email notification again.
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Loved this Terri, and I do love your artwork too. Yes, it’s time for the sheep to awake if not yet woke. Wake up calls surround us. The new world is giving birth to itself and the planet is shaken and stirred. A time for reflection and change for sure. Busy? I’m always busy, writing something, working on something and the hours pass. But I do remember decades ago making a few projects with rug hooking, lol. ❤
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Shaken and stirred, great analogy, Deb! Thank you!
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🙂
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Hello again Terri, Eivor and Pearl’s contribution for this week’s lovely challenge is here: https://whippetwisdom.com/2020/05/05/haiku-a-sense-of-peace/
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Terri,
I had to think about this one because, at first, I thought that I was simply doing the same stuff, just more of it. Then, I realized that I’m listening to music more now…The Blues. Here’s my contribution: http://www.easingalong.com/fundamentals/the-blues-an-awakening
I had fun with this. Thanks for asking. Have a great week and stay safe out there. Joe
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I’m glad my years as a leisure educator/practitioner could help you with that realization, Joe! I’m glad you are enjoying Sunday Stills!
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The acrylic that you created for Hans is marvelous. Perhaps you will try to reawaken that talent in this time of self-isolation. And you know I adore your macro-sunflowers. You’ve inspired me to give the art of macro making one more try (I’ve failed miserably in previous attempts. I hope you enjoyed the bike ride! Great to hear some leisure spaces are reopening by you.
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Thank you so much, Lisa! For me, I prefer to use my phone for macros, but I’ve been successful with my Lumix. Give it a try, I’ll look forward to seeing them!
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How lovely to begin my morning with thoughts of the miracle of beginnings. Your photos are always a treat, Terri.
I painted six small watercolors for my grandchildren and sons and daughters-in-law. Watercolor is a media I’m still learning but painting brought me peace during this anxious crisis.
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Thank you, Shari! I would love to see what you painted. Watercolor is a tough media, I think! Good for you to have a wonderful hobby to bring you peace.
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