“I shall soon be rested,” said Fanny; “to sit in the shade on a fine day, and look upon verdure, is the most perfect refreshment.” (Mansfield Park, chapter 9)Finally!  Spring has arrived in the Pacific Northwest, and I’m reminded why I live here.  When the sun comes out, it’s glorious.  We have wonderful parks, waterways, and green spaces, so even city-dwellers can enjoy the outdoors.  Saying that reminds me of a passage in my third novel, First of Second Chances, which is set right here in the Seattle area:

She’d gotten a fresh look at Mt. Rainier from the plane, and then, as they’d made a wide turn for the approach to Sea-Tac airport, the woodsy islands crowding the south sound. Seattle was a big city.  Yet, whenever she wanted, a short drive or ferry ride would soon transport her far from the urban sprawl.  Even within town, parks, lakes, and pockets of tall fir and cedar trees provided a tangible thread of connection to the natural world.

I’m lucky in that I don’t even have to leave home to find that connection.  If it’s a fine day, I can sit and look upon verdure anytime I want.  You see, the photo above is the view from my back deck.  Ahhhh.  Perfect refreshment!