The weekly photo challenge for this week is “escape“, which is how I felt when I took a vacation day two weeks ago to go explore the Atlanta Botanical Gardens.  I’d had a great week touring my employers facilities in Alabama and Georgia, plus talking to legislators, watching the legislative process, speaking at a seminar, and networking with the Alabama Department of Revenue.  By Friday though, I was tired and wanting to enjoy the nice weather.  So, after a quick breakfast, I headed into downtown Atlanta to escape from my regular life for a while.

As you can see in the photos, there was a topiary exhibit (I have more to process and share).  Since every girl dreams of riding away on a unicorn, I had to include it in the photos for “escape”.  And of course, walking along the paths to see what was next is the ultimate in escaping – what’s next?  Is it better?  Different?  An answer to prayer?

And speaking of answers to prayers, I drove past a little hole-in-the-wall restaurant called “The Flying Biscuit“.  As the name implies, they have great biscuits.  And pancakes.  And just about everything else.  I hadn’t been there for quite a few years as it’s not very close to my daughter’s house.  I decided to eat a late lunch there.  The problem, of course, is finding parking in that area.  The lot behind the restaurant is very small and tight and I didn’t want to risk trying to put my car back there.

There’s a saying, you pray and God laughs.  Well, he did.  On the other side of the intersection was a pay parking lot.  For $5, I had a big space, and I could pull straight in and straight out.  I had a wonderful late lunch at The Flying Biscuit and brought home biscuits for my daughter and her boyfriend, which they both enjoyed.

Yes, I had plenty of work to do on Friday.  And yes, it’s taken me all week to catch up since coming back, which would have been easier if I’d sat my butt down, flipped open my laptop and gotten it done.  But oh it was so good to just escape from my responsibilities for a day and go wandering.  Did you see the skyline in the background of the photo underneath the purple irises?  It’s hard to believe that this little gem is right in the middle of a major metropolitan city.  You see the city skyline lit up at the bottom of the holiday lights post as well.

So I encourage each of you as the work week gets underway.  If you’re feeling overwhelmed, out of sorts, or just needing to get away, do it.  You might not be able to take a day off, but take a few minutes to go outside and get some fresh air.  Look around.  There’s beauty everywhere, even at the end of the parking lot or up above the rooftop.  Sometimes the beauty is as simple as watching a pair of squirrels chase each other.  Some fresh air, some laughter, and a little bit of wonder go a long way to feeling good again.

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