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.