Take it easy

    Today is, apparently, World Sauntering Day, and its purpose is to encourage us to "take it easy, smell the roses, slow down and enjoy life as opposed to rushing through it".

    The OED defines 'saunter' as to 'walk in a slow, relaxed manner', and gives another meaning, of late Middle English origin, that is 'to muse or wonder'.

    I shall try to do both today. How about you?

Comments

[B R Wombat]

I managed a bit of a sauntering day yesterday which was lovely in this sun. Too often we are simply rushing through life. What is that beautiful rose?

[Dark Puss]

I keep fit (read as decline less rapidly) by speed walking to and from my place of work (plus intermediate tube journey). However I did take 15 minutes out to go and see if our university Bee Orchid colony was beinning its very late flowering season and we found three spikes in bloom!

We don't need another World XXXX Day, the whole concept has been totally devalued, however I agree with the sentiment!

[Cornflower]

It is Madame Alfred Carriere and it flowers for months on end.

[Cornflower]

Some of these 'Days' are a lot more use than others.
Glad your orchids are flourishing.

[Lucille]

Doing exactly that, with homemade elderflower sorbet.

[Cornflower]

Lovely!

[Melissa]

I laughed when I saw "World Sauntering Day" - wonderful. I will have to remember that for June 19. It's the day I bet my husband too. I like the word Saunter, makes me think of Meander.

Thanks for the post. I shall go forth and endeavor to Saunter today!

[Freda]

Funnily enough I went sauntering through a Botanic Garden today before I read this post. A delightful idea. I'm all in favour! Saunter, meander, wonder and smell the roses (I must try Madame Alfred Carriere - thanks). Life is short, let's savour it!

[Cornflower]

Meander is a good word, too, and I see that apart from its usual meaning as verb and noun, it is also "an ornamental pattern of winding or interlocking lines".

[Cornflower]

Indeed!

[Mary]

I sauntered all around Tate Britain. Do they have World Feet Dropping Off day? (Have vase of Mme Alfred on my windowsill as I write this.)

[Melissa]

I will now report that my sauntering led me to a new clothing shop and 3 purchases! ;-) Not sure if that was the intention but I'm going to look sweeter this summer!

[Cornflower]

Well done, Melissa! I must head into town this afternoon for clothes buying, but it's not my favourite activity - I shall try to remember to saunter and muse and not get stressed ...

[Cornflower]

Why is sauntering round museums and galleries so tiring? Much more exhausting than walking at normal pace!
I find Mme AC doesn't last long in the vase but the scent is gorgeous.

[Dark Puss]

I think it is because you are not sauntering in this case. You are walking slowly, stopping, looking, thinking etc. You have a natural pace which is being disrupted and your intellectual (and/or emotional) engagement with the works is tiring in itself probably. It is "work" and it feels like it!

[Cornflower]

I see! Thank you, DP.

[B R Wombat]

Incredibly enough, I planted this same rose (I'd never had one before but liked the look of it in photos) last year and it was only today (after writing that comment yesterday) that I noticed the first flower on it had opened and realised that it was the same as yours - talk about delighted! And now I'm checking in with you to make sure that it's Mme herself, and it is.

[Cornflower]

Great! Ours is years old and huge, so long may it flourish for you.