Beyond the Blue: Living the Life

Hello friends, family, and the occasional random individual:
It is a lovely morning here in London. 10:20 am, the sun actually is peeking through the clouds, and I am going to go running in a little while. I have definitely let myself get out of the habit of running, and that is just not acceptable! I am quite busy, yes, but I shouldn't be too busy to take care of my body.
Last night, our group had the honor of seeing Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty's Theater in Haymarket. Wow. The set design was incredible, the costuming exquisite, and the singing, my goodness, the singing! When they sang "Music of the Night" I just got chills. Beautiful performance. I would go back and see it again in a heartbeat, even if only to see the beginning of the play. It opens in an auction scene where all the old memorabilia of the opera house are being sold off. The broken chandelier is the last to go. The transition from the auction scene to the height of the opera's heyday was amazing. The lights shut down, the orchestra began playing with a mix of a rock band and organ, and the chandelier rose to the ceiling. My pathetic description does it absolutely no justice. All I can say is, you must go see it. Chills were to be had throughout the entire performance. The music was just so beautiful, too beautiful for words. The level of talent and creativity that goes into creating a masterpiece like that could only come from God! And a fun fact: the show has been running continuously at the same theater since 1986. That is longer than I have been alive. Make anyone feel old?
Tuesday I went to Kew Gardens with the group, but spent the whole time with Carson and Diana. It was cold and the trees have not leafed out yet, so it was a little sad. But the springtime flowers that were blooming were lovely. I would like to go back when it gets warmer and the trees have leafed. I'll say this though: I like Fort Worth's Botanical Garden more... I just love a mixture of trees, water fountains and streams, and benches coupled with flowers. The paths in Fort Worth are paved, and much more narrow, and the trees seem to be much closer together. I like the closeness of it all. Kew was very spread out and much too "groomed" for my tastes. And it costs money. The Botanical Garden in Fort Worth is :cough: free. I'll be glad to go back and sit and read a book on a bench in the shade of an oak and surrounded by the roses and fountains.
I believe I am no nearer to God than when I am in a garden. He had to have placed Adam and Eve in one for a reason. Being that close to natural beauty, away from the buildings, electric lights, and trash of the city (which did not exist at creation) gives one such peace in any circumstance. At least to me. I feel solitude, not loneliness, when I find myself alone in a garden. Solitude is being in the presence of the Divine, the presence of His creation, and feeling utter peace and contentment.
With that said, I am going to run in Russell Square, the nearest thing I've got to a free garden in Central London :) Enjoy the pictures!