“I’m going to make everything around me beautiful - that will be my life.” — Elsie de Wolfe

Saturday 30 July 2011

Where I am reminded of the importance of play . . .

This week we explored the newly refurbished play area near our home.
Of course I took my camera with me! There were so many great colours and shapes, I was soon snapping away and came back with loads of pictures.

I resisted the urge to play on most of the things but the seesaw got the better of me, I was soon giggling away as I soared into the air. It was great fun and surprisingly high! Joe was on the other end and as he was heavier I felt I was going to be launched into orbit every time I went up.

"To play is to yield oneself to a kind of magic." - Hugo Rahner

The blue swing below is almost like a hammock, Joe tried it but as the park was filling up with little children, I thought I had better give up my turn. :-) Though from the look of it, I am sure it would have been a favourite! I quite fancy one of those in my garden!

They didn't have anything like that when I was young, as a child I always loved roundabouts and slides best. What was your favourite?

Being on the seesaw reminded me of the rhyme - 'see saw, marjorie daw. johnny shall have a new master... ' Did you sing that too?

Here's the lovely big swing, complete with its wonderful shadows. . .

As well as looking comfortable, it looks really interesting too. . .

Especially against the rubber matting beneath it
(eventually the grass will grow through that.)

I wasn't brave enough for the climbing frame!
But it looked fantastic against the blue sky.

Almost like some sort of monument!

Some more interesting shapes. . .

. . . and shadows.

Meanwhile back in my garden. . .

A certain adorable golden cat with a striped tail - A.K.A. Sammy, has taken to climbing the lilac bush and making his getaway over the fence.

Now you need some background here. Our cats have never roamed free and are usually content to laze around in their outdoor cat run, or roam the garden. (When they are not curled up on cushion indoors of course.) And both Bina and Mitz never exhibit any urge to see beyond the fence and hedge, but Sammy? well occasionally his naturally curious nature takes him too far, then suddenly he is somewhere unfamiliar and we have to find and rescue him.

It is not a good idea for him to get out, as there are three working lurchers living next door! and he has no experience out there! or any fear of cars or dogs. He has led a very sheltered life.

But we don't want to have to confine him to the cat run and indoors. So Joe jumps into action!...
With his pump action water gun! (bought specifically for this purpose of course.) LOL.

There are only two places that Sammy can get out if he really tries. So Joe watches and as soon as he goes near either of those areas, the water cannon shoots a jet of water against the fence just where he is going to go....and he runs! Terrified that the 'fence' is going to get him.

After a few goes at this and the resultant wet fur, he carefully avoids the areas and the problem is solved for another year. Periodically we will have to go through this whole procedure again, but it always works! (and secretly I think Joe rather enjoys patrolling with his water pistol!)

"You've got to keep the child alive; you can't create without it." - Joni Mitchell

Now do any of you remember this photo from back in May?

If you would like to read what happened to this little seedling
then read this blog post I wrote this week. . .
*Growing Where You Are Planted*

Happy Sunday everyone. I hope you have had a good week. x


Thought of the week
"Live and work but do not forget to play,
to have fun in life and really enjoy it."
- Eileen Caddy



I am linking this post to week 46 of I Saw Sunday - Why not come and join us?

All images and words - Susannah Bec

12 comments:

Paul Andrew Russell said...

Lovely, colourful photos, Susannah. I l ike the spider's web shadow!

Jinksy said...

You certainly have an eye for photographic composition...the climbing frame, shadows and that blue swing segment are top notch. Very satisfying to drink in as artistic refreshment!! lol

vivinfrance said...

A lovely Sunday you had: great pictures and for saving the cat a good idea for saving the cat. We used to do that for an outsider cat who used to come in through the cat flap and eat our cat's dinner, frequently wounding our poor cat. The hose soon discouraged him!

Elizabeth said...

Susannah, I think of you often when I go out on my forays for photos, your love of shape, form, and shadow. I'm so glad you got so many opportunities to explore all of them this week. great set of intriguing and interesting shapes and forms. But, also the fun. That child in all of us must be fed.

Elizabeth

Morvah said...

Play must be the theme of the Leo Moon - scallywags!! have a nice week M x

Anonymous said...

~Laughing~
I love the idea of patrolling with water guns! In this heat I could use a good and well meaning spray of water!

Misterio Vida said...

sounds like fun to be there :)

Susannah said...

Thanks everyone, it is good to see you all. x

Paul, yes that is a great shadow isn't it!

Jinksy, thank you very much for your kind words, I liked those photos too!

Viv, yes water seems to work well with cats! What a shame your poor cat had to put up with an intruder. I'm glad the hose fixed that problem. :-)

Elizabeth, I love the fact that you sometimes think of me on your photographic forays, that is wonderful. Thanks for your kind words. And yes, we must keep our 'child' alive! :-)

Morvah, yes I hadn't thought of it in terms of the leo new moon but you are right! How apt. :-)

Illuminary, I am glad you liked the idea of patrolling with a water gun, I fancy a go myself but I would have to fight him for it! I think he knows I wouldn't be able to resist turning it on him. :-)

Great to see you all. Have a wonderful week. x

earlybird said...

Great pictures, as always. I have spent some time in playgrounds recently and yours does look good! I agree, they weren't nearly as creative when we were young. The most exciting thing was the roundabout that you ran round and then jumped on feeling very dizzy as you spun round. One of the best things in the playground I went to over the last few weeks was the 'flying fox' - a button on a wire between two points (one lower than the other) that you whizz down. Even if you aren't yet 3!

Susannah said...

Hi earlybird, yes roundabouts were great fun! And it seems that as children we liked to be dizzy!? Crazy - now I'd have to go and sit down for a while to get over it. :-)

I love the sound of the 'flying fox' that would have been a favourite for sure!

Good to see you. x

teri said...

so glad to have found you- great photos and outlook!

Susannah said...

Good to meet you Terri. :-)

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