Upside Down at Luz de Luna

Things have been a little topsy-turvy around here lately.

A couple of incidents led me to the idea of this particular post. The first was a change of plans precipitated by someone who is not me, which threw me for a loop for a day or so. Nothing a woman of intention and determination can't handle, of course, just a brief inversion in the order which I'm handling with help from my amazing and resourceful friends here in San Pancho. 

The second came about because of a situation I wrote about in my previous post, Armchair Wanderlust. It had to do with those long hours of research sitting in front of the computer, exacerbated by a serious addiction to Downton Abbey, all three seasons of which I watched sitting at my computer instead of on a comfy couch in front of the TV because I like to pretend I'm doing something productive while actually being entirely involved in the show.

I stood up the other night and finally had to admit to myself that I'd been in pain for days. My legs hurt, my hips hurt, my lower back hurt. Surprise, surprise, Candice. How about getting off your arse and doing some stretching exercises? Might that help?

So that's what I did. I began to stretch. Those stubborn quads first, then a bend to the ground, hair touching floor, to stretch stiff and resistant hamstrings. 

Goodness, what's that? I thought, and went and got my camera.

I'd never really paid attention to what my house looks like upside down.

You can imagine my delight. I took photo after photo, many of which didn't turn out well due to the lateness of the hour and my disinclination to use a flash. Some were interesting, though.

I continued this rather ridiculous pursuit the following afternoon.

I wandered around the house, bending double and looking up to see what I could see.

I learned a lot from this flipped-out exercise. I discovered a different way of viewing my surroundings. Now, I likely won't go around town bending over to take upside down photos: that seems eccentric to excess. Plus it would be weird. But I did realize the value of looking at the world from a different point of view and reminding ourselves to do so now and then.

And besides that, I don't hurt any more.

Chuckling as I took these shots, I was intrigued by the thought that it's not a bad thing at all to be turned on our heads once in a while. I've had a few lessons in that this year, being upended, and they have left me more in touch with life, I think. I hesitate to use words like wisdom and awareness, yet each life learning, if assimilated and examined, must eventually add up to something.

Even if it's just an upside down photo of a garden.

Comments

[Tricia]

One of my favorite games as a child was to walk around the house and our backyard with a mirror in my hands, only looking at the mirror. It gave the the coolest feeling of walking over the ceiling, dramatically stepping over door frames and light fixtures, hanging from the branch of a tree like a bat.

Love the photos! A different perspective is always an eye opener, isnt it?

[Eileen]

There was a lady who lived in a house -- an upside down house in San Pancho. When she stood on her head, new light was shed, and the view from down there was amazing. Thanks for this...always and ever about perspective. Eileen

[Sheri]

Awesome!

[Tom Plattenberger]

Wonderful exercise, Candice. I really liked the crucifix, which I initially took to be stretched low across the floor, so it would trip people and send them over the edge.

Howdy, Travis! We have one dog who seems fascinated to stare at me upside down, as she lays on her back on the floor. Are you writing?

Tom

[Char]

loved it....always good to get another perspective...I remember as a kid, lying on my back and pretending I could walk on the ceiling..thanks for bringing it back....xo

[Jeanne]

I wish I was that limber!

[Travis]

Thanks for that. I've always wondered what the world looked like to a dog rolling around on the floor, upside-down and sideways.