Apple Picking Sunday

Walks are thought provoking. The other morning walking home from the mall, the thought of going apple picking popped into my mind. So I went picking apples this morning at Boffins Public Garden where we went forest bathing a few Sundays ago. I found the arbour where the apples grew. There were some low hanging branches still with apples on them. There was enough to fill half a shopping bag.

I wished I could have gotten there a little earlier. The arbour was a perfect spot for a photo shoot. A family with young kids came along shortly after I got there. They stayed and stayed, snapping photos and talking the whole time. I found them very annoying. I am selfish, wanting the place to myself.

After I could not reach any more branches bearing apples, I went in search of the grapes. They are planted along the edible landscape and orchard areas just outside the north gates of the main garden park. The grapevines grow alongside other cold-hardy fruit and berry selections like haskaps, raspberries, rhubarb, and Nanking cherries, positioned near the rows of apple trees. I think it is too late for the grapes, haspkaps, raspberries and cherries. But there were loads of apple trees. I would need a ladder for these though.

It was pretty exciting, finding the orchard walk. I had to chill a bit by the koi pond before heading home.

Wordless Sunday – Forest Bathing


This morning we participated in forest bathing led by the guy’s friend who is a trained therapist. Forest bathing, or shinrin-yoku, is a mindful Japanese practice of soaking in the forest atmosphere through your senses to lower stress, reduce blood pressure and boost immunity. It was held from 9 am to 12 noon at Boffins Public Garden at the University of Saskatoon.

For the most part, I was mindful, bathed in the nature around me. It was hard to be fully immersed in the there and then. There’s this wanting to capture, have and hold. I haven’t learned yet to just experience with my senses and hold it within my body. Hence these photographs for this day 26 of the Ultimate Blog Challenge.