"An Ode to Home"

There are few pleasures as wonderful as being at home and loving it. Imagine waking to the sight of trees rustled by a light breeze, viewed through a window unguarded by fussy window treatments; the sound and sight of a beautiful chime dancing in the breeze; the sound of birds singing a light morning song; the sound of the furnace or AC cycling on and off; the smell of coffee brewing with the familiar sound of the automatic brewer. Dawn has not yet broken and you lie there in the comfort of bedding and a room you've created for ultimate comfort. You sit up slowly, perching on the side of the bed as your feet slide into your favorite slippers. You sit for a moment, filled with gratitude for another day.

Progressing to the kitchen with eyes still at half mast, you hook your finger through the handle of your mug sitting in its familiar place. The sound of pouring your first morning joe with its intoxicating aroma fills your senses. Holding it with both hands and savoring the warmth, you saunter to the patio window and witness the crowning of a new day. Cracking the door a bit, you smell the freshness of the morning air. Time now for a journal entry as you enjoy a silence broken only by the sounds of nature and a new day.

The sun is up and with more energy pumping, you stretch your body into a long, refreshing sun salutation and gently work your way through a yoga routine. Damp with the perspiration of your labor, you head to the quiet of your bathroom and turn on the shower. Ahhhh----you step under the large rain shower head and feel the refreshing, renewing gentle downpour. The smell of your chosen shower gel fills the air as the steam carries the notes of its fragrance. Your are now fully alive with the gratitude, the sights, the sounds, the feel of home. What better way to start your day?

I love home. I am what many would call a homebody. I believe home should be your sanctuary, the place that opens its arms to you after a day of work, constant interaction, traffic,
and mental workouts.
While reading a Country Garden magazine
and longing for one of those beautiful and
seemingly unplanned cottage gardens, it hit me
that this is my love, my passion, my reason for
being---home. I think I already knew this deep
within myself, but how popular is it to say home
is one's passion? To the accomplished go-getter of the world it sounds lazy and
unimaginative; yet, when I think about it
these days, I realize Martha Stewart built an
empire from her love of all things domestic.
While my aspirations are more personal than
business, I now believe the start of all gratitude and greatness begins with home. So, to toast to all that I love about home, I will blog a different "An Ode to Home" every week. I hope it speaks to others who love home and are proud of it. I invite you to sit back and let your mind wander through your ritual as you read my blog. Hopefully, I will become a muse for your gratitude and appreciation of the comforts of your abode. I will be writing from a combination of what I am experiencing and what I wish to experience. As I visualize the wish, the later will become the former. Share the journey with me.