Pretty Places Part II-In My Own Back Yard

Friday night I blogged about coming across pretty places when you aren't expecting anything, such as I experienced on my recent work trip. Then there are places that are soothing, enjoyable,  and best of all, can be a regular part of your day.  The adult reading nook at my local library fits that bill. That is it in the top picture.  The light is great.  My  little breakfast spot on my back deck-nothing fancy but it gets the right light in the early morning.  I love my wicker bench on my front porch.  It's an excellent reading spot, early afternoon and then early evenings once the sun is behind the trees.  The spot in my living room that I typically sit, legs stitched out, working from a lap top, is pretty to me, even if my kids hate the cinnamon color accent wall across from it.

Best café for breakfast-sans snow!

Stretch and read or work.

Great natural light.

At my office we have a memorial tree and bench for two former coworkers.  On a warm day, it is nice to take a break from the computer screen, walk around the building, and take a short respite in their space.  Even in some of the grungiest places I've lived or worked, I found a little slice of pretty to take a break, get my thoughts together, or just decompress.  In college it was the back stairs that overlooked the fossil and mineral case  in the science building.  When I lived off campus so packed a lunch, I often ate my lunch there instead of the crowded student union. Light, even if the florescent hallway light,  shining off the rocks and minerals in the case was calming.

What about your pretty places?  Are they shared by many, or your own find? 

Pretty Places

I appreciate  unstructured time spent in space that is comfortable and visually appealing. 
When I am out of town and have a little spare time, I try to seek out the little areas probably well known to locals, but when stumbled upon when you're not expecting them, have an added appeal.

I was in Oklahoma city for a couple days for business  most flights are connecting flights, and  in order to navigate the best price for my work budget, I took a later flight, which gave me a few extra hours before having to get to the airport.  I enjoyed some unexpected sites.  There is a canal that runs along the back side of  what used to be a series of warehouses.  Most have been refurbished into bars and restaurants. and there were so many outdoor seating areas, but also a walk way along the canal.  if you've never been to Oklahoma City, the prettiness of the area, and the friendliness of the people cannot be overlooked.  On the canal, I ended my walk at the Devon Mosaic.  Look at the detail up-close, and you see the women in the mosaic pouring water, that then aligns with the real water feature.  Clever and soothing to sit and watch on a 80 degree October day. 



My angle is not the best, but the water from the picture appears to be flowing right form the jugs.

Business trips are usually short, and as costs to send employees on trips  becomes a steeper luxury, it gets harder to not cram every minute with work time. With the  advent of Facetime, Skype, and Go to Meeting, you can have virtual group meetings  with people in places all over the world.  There is still something though about  really being in the same space, seeing each others work environments, and the communities they engage in.  I appreciate the extra hours I had, to take my walk. Though it was a long route getting home, this mosaic was a little water oasis.



There is also Devon Bridge.