Most of my childhood summers were spent in our home town. With the temperatures soaring, there was little that my siblings and I could do. We’d either curl up with a good book, eat raw mangoes, or snooze after a heavy meal. When we’d exhaust all other options, the front yard and the copious greenery of the backyard, often, came to our rescue. My brother and I would head in search of ants, bugs, and creepy-crawlies of the natural world. We’d mimic explorers or naturalists (armed with wooden sticks) venturing into uncharted territory. We’d collect red ants (without injuring them) and eventually, set them free. I do realise, there’s no way that sounds humane now. Mea culpa. My sister preferred to opt out of these trails of discovery.
Years later, in recent times, my trips aren’t restricted to summers. While much of the greenery around my parents’ ancestral home has been destroyed, thankfully, the front yard and the backyard still persist. And with each visit, there are many times, when those moments of vacuum come back.
That’s when, I head out into the yard, in search of strange leaves or insects. This time, I’m alone and don’t have a wooden stick with me. I don’t touch what I see, anymore. Maybe, caution develops with age or I’ve grown wiser. Then again, I wouldn’t want someone to give me a nudge while I was walking. I guess, that’s why, I let them be.
The natural world is truly fascinating. No matter what’s on your mind; a walk outside can give you the strength that you need or the hope that you’ve lost. And even if want to keep a blank mind – it won’t be too hard. Travel’s never about what you see or where you’ve been. The true traveller knows that. It’s more about what you make of what you see or where you’ve been. For that matter, the backyard might be the perfect starting place.
twobrownfeet 
Beautiful, charming flowers!
Thanks Ann! My mum’s truly proud of them. 🙂
Beautiful…
Thanks Vikey! 🙂
These are beautiful. You’re so right, sometimes the most beauty is right under our nose, in our very own backyard.
Thanks Miriam! My mum’s going to be very happy with all the praise her garden is getting. 🙂
How wonderful. Make sure you let her know. 🙂
I definitely will! 🙂
great post
Thanks Mukul!
welcome
I really love the caterpillar, they are always so colourful !
Me too! 🙂 I haven’t seen many of them though.
Me neither. Just some brown ones in my garden (a bit disappointing). I’ve just seen an interesting one in Singapore, with spikes on its body.
Reminds me of the blanket worm. It is hairy and causes an intense swelling when it comes in contact with human skin. To decrease the swelling, one has to rub a blanket on the inflamed area and then a lemon. 🙂 Haven’t seen many of them in my parents’ garden, recently. And then there are the centipedes and millipedes. Sadly, they’ve disappeared too.
Yes, it looked like a blanket worm ! I didn’t know about the blanket and the lemon, good to know !
My sis seemed to attract them always. Hehe! No so fond memories for her.
I can imagine !
🙂 🙂
I love this, and couldn’t agree more. My parents’ backyard was, and is, hugely inspirational for me. Have been thinking about doing a post too, not to steal your idea!
Thanks a bunch! I’d love to read your post! 🙂
Lovely narrative. I remember all the things we did in our granny’s backyard, digging ginger, planting a litchi seed with a hope of a tree! Sigh 🙂
We’ve tried planting mangoes and whatnot with little success. Hehe! 🙂
What a beautiful childhood. Fabulous photos!!! Beautiful garden.
Thank you for your generous praise. My mum’s patience is the key to these beautiful garden flowers. 🙂
Can you tell her from me please that her patience is showing. The garden is gorgeous.
Aww! Thank you so much! I’m sure she’s going to be very,very happy with your compliment. 🙂 Must add, truly love your blog! Glad to have found it.
And you have brought a HUGE smile to my face as I am so happy you are now following me (as I am following your blog)
🙂 🙂 Look forward to reading more of your adventures!