Most often, what comes to mind when you think of “quiet hours”, you imagine sunrise and sunset. But even if the background noise is audible, you can be quiet in your own little bubble and tune everything else out.

This photo of the Skagit River near Rockport, Washington was taken in the late afternoon. Despite the noise of highway traffic, as I stood there watching the river flow by, it was very calming. I have always loved the sound of running water.

I must have stood next to this tiny little waterfall, which is under a highway, for minutes, just listing to the trickle of water down the rock face. If there had been a bench, I might have sat there for a long time, quietly watching the water flow down between the rocks and over the moss. I nicknamed it “Fairy Falls”.

Wednesday night, I packed myself a picnic dinner, and went up to Grand Avenue Park in Everett, which overlooks the Everett Marina and Puget Sound. I sat on a bench to eat my dinner, and listen to the seagulls, and the people walking or bicycling past. Nobody talked loudly, and even the little kids were quiet.

This young man enjoyed the sunset with me, sitting quietly on his bench.

This empty beach at Cape May, New Jersey, was surprisingly quiet, with just the sound of the waves and seagulls, a never-ending reminder of how small we are in the scheme of things.

Hubby gave me this orchid for a birthday present this year. Just the sight of it had a fine, quiet beauty. I could just sit there and gaze at it for hours.

Speaking of hours, this little creature sits with me for long stretches of time, when I’m just reading in my favorite spot. She is 15 years old, now, and spends most of her day sleeping, mostly within sight of me. She is an attractive nuisance, however, since I can’t keep my hands off her soft, luxuriant fur. But she doesn’t seem to mind much.

Here’s the link to this week’s Original Post. And Tina’s also!