Looking Back 2018 #3 Time to Relax

I never thought I’d have enough relaxing time and want to break loose–with my camera. Since November 2025, I’ve been forced to relax due to a back injury. If you are a senior, you don’t want to fall and injure yourself because you’ll be put on a fall watch!

It’s been 4 1/2 months that I finally got out with my camera. I chose to visit Jensen Botanical Gardens–a small and beautiful local park. It’s especially pretty now that tulips are filling the front flower bed. On a recent visit, I got there at 10 a.m. and it was quiet, but soon families started to arrive. Fortunately, for the photographers, the tulips weren’t their attraction.

But wait! For the price of no admission you can see, enjoy and relax by just walking up the single path to the top of the park. Couples, families with children and dog walkers meander along the path.

Pets are welcomed to relax. Thirsty? Along with a human water fountain, there is an attached bowl with a spout for our four legged family members to use. Here’s our sweet dog, Poppy, who joined our family while I was healing my back. She was re-homed at 7 years and is now my accountability partner. Somehow she knew I couldn’t do much and supported me emotionally right away. Once I could stand up straight, she has been keeping me moving and walking. We go further each day and I’m getting out of the house at least once a day.

It probably wasn’t a surprise that flowers and nature help me relax. I’ve often said in this blog that when I’m out with my camera, I forget my stressors. But what relaxes you? What gets you away from the stresses of daily life. What’s your passion? I’m looking forward to seeing all your posts. Not to put any stress on you, but please link to my post when you reply and use the Lens-Artists tag. I want to read all your responses. I’m still not getting out much and have lots of time! Next week Egidio will be leading our challenge, so be sure to look for his post.

In the meantime, take care, stay safe and be resilient.

51 thoughts on “Lens Artists Challenge #389: Time to Relax”

    1. Thanks Leanne! Poppy is cute and came to us just at the right time. She’s getting me walking again. I can’t wait until my back allows me to walk her my 2-mile route.

      Like

      Reply

  12. A wonderful and inspiring challenge with beautiful images, Anne. I followed in your footsteps when it comes to nature and flowers as my number 1 sources of relaxation, together with art and creativity. And I send you my warmest wishes for a speedy recovery. 🌹❤️ (I can so relate after having been immobile for almost 6 months due to leg injuries.) What a blessing it is to get outside again and breathe, feel, and see nature!

    📸Lens-Artists #389: Time to Relax

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  15. Pingback: Discover Spring in Voorhout: A Relaxing Bicycle Ride

  16. Flowers and trees are two relaxing modes for me as well, Anne. I am glad you are feeling better. Thank you for the calming photos and the great challenge theme for this week.

    Thanks Suzette!

    Like

    Reply

  18. Anne this is a beautiful challenge, for all to interpret in their own creative way. Beautiful photos of the tulips! Photography and nature is so beautifully relaxing! Your poppy is adorable, animals are incredibly intuitive, how wonderful you both found each other, truly sounds like it was meant to be!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  20. Of course, flowers to make us more relaxed. You can just sit and enjoy watching them, smell their fragrance, watch as they dance in the breeze. And Poppy is there for a good walk and a laugh and love. Good places to be! Glad you are better, getting out, and staying safe! Nice post – and lucky you, tulips!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  21. Anne, lots of great comments. I’m happy to see the results of your walk about the tulips. Beautiful gallery, and that Poppy must be a true friend. Glad to see you’re getting around better. I know how devastating falls can be from my own family experiences.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Leave a comment