A month or so ago, Don posted a request on our local Facebook pages: did anyone have any old outdoor benches that they wanted to get rid of? He got a lot of responses and proceeded to drive around and gather the useable and sturdy benches. His idea was to have an area in Maple Grove, which is a clearing in our woods, where he and his musician friends could play music.
This is what it looks like now. He’d love to get a couple of benches that look like the one on the right, but for now, the white benches are sturdy, made of wood, and they’ll do. Maple Grove looks out on our neighbor’s fields.
Even more recently, he grabbed the old lawnmower and the hoe and cleaned up the paths. When he was finished he said that he wanted to show me what he’d done, as part of it was a response to a longtime request that I had. There’s another area to the left of Maple Grove, also a path, that is usually overgrown. I have always wanted the path cleared there so that it would open onto our neighbor’s fields and the beautiful view of the hills beyond. He did that, along with widening it.
Here is what he showed me:
Dan, who runs our recycling/transfer station, had seen Don’s post and saved a bench for him that someone dropped off. Don didn’t tell me about it, but he immediately envisioned it as a place for me to sit and meditate and gaze at the view. He brought it home and secretly took it up to the woods.
Isn’t this beautiful? And don’t I have a thoughtful husband?
This view is always lovely – the sun comes up over those hills. And it’s especially beautiful in the autumn.
From the other side.
My Don appreciation post for this week.
I absolutely love this and, needless to say, I absolutely love my husband.
Okay. Back to another heat advisory and temps in the high nineties. I’m almost looking forward to autumn.
Stay safe.
Happy Saturday.
wow … that is beautiful, to my eyes and to my heart (so can imagine what it feels like to you, claudia)! i know you will enjoy so much time out there on the bench(es) and especially thinking about and sharing life with a man who obviously loves you very much. you two are blessed to have found each other and i am very happy for you both. :)
don … that is a wonderful gift you gave claudia. i hope you find the benches (styles) you are looking for and enjoy lots of time out there among the fruits of your labor, playing music with friends, looking at that beautiful view and spending time with your sweetheart. :)
happy saturday and always.
stay safe, including from the heat.
kathy
Thank you so much, Kathy.
Stay safe.
How nice of him! You have a good one!
I do. Thank you, Darlene.
Stay safe.
This post just feels me with joy. The love you and Don have for each other is so beautiful and inspiring. You have a wonderful life together that is based on love, friendship and respect.
The gentleman who saved the bench for Don speaks to how much he is liked in your community. The spot and view is beautiful .
I hope cool weather comes your way,
Kaye
Utah
Thank you so much for your kind words, Kaye.
Stay safe.
You have a wonderful husband! Looks like a great spot to read and enjoy the view!!
Thank you so much, Jenny.
Stay safe.
Your Don, oh my. You and he have one of the really good enduring pairings. He knows you inside out, Claudia. Such a sweet spot for you to enjoy a cup of coffee and a good book, and for you both to share a cuddle!
I’m looking forward to it!
Thanks so much, Wendy.
Stay safe.
You are indeed a lucky lady, Claudia. And Don’s quite the thoughtful partner. What more could you ask for? Sigh. Love Don’s music area as well.
Stay cool this weekend. And, enjoy your new spot if it’s not too hot! ;)
Too hot right now, but come autumn, it’s going to be spectacular.
Stay safe, Donnamae.
What a neat idea for impromptu music gatherings etc.! And……….making the most of your property and even recycling benches!
But the bench in the clearing is the cat’s pajamas in my book! Your own private vista! These past five years of living in town has my hubs dragging me out every couple of weeks for a nice drive in the country because he knows how much I need vistas and open spaces. Our men certainly are keepers!
Thanks for sharing this and reminding so many of us that we still have to “work” in different ways to keep the retirement years from becoming to ho-hummy! Yep, I made that word up.
Oh yes! We do have to work and create – even in retirement! Or maybe, especially in retirement.
Stay safe, Chris.
What a lovely gesture from someone who loves you. That bench looks big enough for two. Enjoy. Hugs, Elaine
It’s just big enough for two, Elaine.
Stay safe.
Just lovely! and loving, <3
Thank you, Betsy!
Stay safe.
How beautiful! xo
Thank you so much, Annette.
Stay safe.
Oh Claudia, this is just lovely! I can’t think of any better words than that. You can really feel the love in what Don did for you and it really brought me to tears. Don reminds me a lot of my late husband… loving and so thoughtful.
If we lived closer, I’d gladly give you the (old) glider swing I have to add to the benches. Many years ago, my husband used to play the guitar just simply for enjoyment, which I loved. I can envision him, John Denver and Don sitting out there in that beautiful grove playing folk songs from the 60’s and 70’s.
Have a lovely, loving weekend with Don and enjoy every minute of it in your newfound space.
XOXOXO
Thank you, Cathy. Don loves to play his guitar while sitting on our old glider on the porch.
Your husband was a wonderful man.
Stay safe.
Thank goodness for thoughtful husbands like Don and mine. The partners who care for us so much make life so much more pleasant. Lucky us! Enjoy that perfect view and stay cool!
We are very lucky!
Stay safe, Carlotta.
Claudia,
Please keep sharing the joy. Your blog is such a delight to read.
Ah, thank you, Leora.
That means a great deal to me.
Stay safe.
This is so beautiful! Making the most of your property is wonderful thing. Enjoy!
Thank you so much, Judy.
Stay safe.
All the benches outside is such a great idea. The Claudia bench is wonderful, what a view. Yes Don is a keeper. Hugs!
He sure is!
Stay safe, Linda.
This is wonderful — well beyond sweet and thoughtful. Truly, a labor of love. He’s a keeper, Claudia! (Well done, Don!)
He is!
Stay safe, Jeanie.
Oh my, are you a lucky lady. I would love to live in the country and have a view like that. What a thoughtful husband your Don is. I crave peace and serenity in my everyday life too and quiet charming places like that always put me in a meditative mood. Enjoy your bench with a scenic view. Diane
Thank you so much, Diane.
Stay safe.
Yes you have a lovely husband who clearly adores you. Beautiful garden.
Thank you!
Stay safe, Kay.