Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories - Exploring a Beautiful Backyard

Starting point is 00:00:00 Get Sleepy is a production of Slumber Studios and is made possible thanks to the generous support of our sponsors and premium members. If you'd like to listen ad-free and access weekly bonus episodes, extra long stories and our entire back catalogue, you can try out premium free for 7 days by following the link in the episode notes. Now, a quick word from our sponsors. Hey friends, welcome to Get Sleepy, where we listen, we relax, and we get sleepy. My name's Thomas and it's my honor to be your host. In tonight's story, we'll be joining Jade and her mother Sherry as they explore their own backyard. It's a magical place full of plants and wildlife. Sometimes we find the most beautiful things in the places closest to us, right in our own homes or in our own gardens. We don't always have to travel far and wide to find what we've been searching for all along,

Starting point is 00:01:23 a sense of peace and belonging. This beautiful story was written by Chase and will be read by Heather. If you love listening to Get Sleepy but you'd rather do so without hearing any ads, why not try our supporters feed, Get Sleepy Premium? With well over 700 full length stories and meditations, including extra long episodes and series stitches, you'll never run out of dreamy content to help you get your best sleep possible. Also, every single Thursday we release a brand new bonus episode just for our premium subscribers. Tomorrow we'll be traveling

Starting point is 00:02:12 to the forests of Madagascar to hear a story about a unique little bird called Dusky and his wish to meet his soulmate. The first seven days of your subscription are free, so try a Get Sleepy Premium and enjoy all the sleepy content you could possibly need, completely ad free. Visit GetSleepy.com slash support or follow the link in the show notes to learn more. Thank you all so much. So my friends, let's get ready for our story by taking a few moments to be calm and mindful. allow your breathing to slow down drawing the air in through the nose and softly releasing it through the nose or mouth

Starting point is 00:03:34 Continue in a steady rhythm while you listen along. And following the theme of tonight's story, I'd like you to bring to mind a place you know you can turn to for some peace and belonging it can be anywhere you like somewhere close to home like a local cafe or a favorite walking route, or somewhere further afield like a holiday destination. It can be even simpler than that. Many of us feel our most relaxed, peaceful and content when we're at home in the places most familiar to us. Let your mind take as much time as it needs to develop this image. The important thing is to imagine yourself in that place right now and to just appreciate the delightful sense of peace and belonging that you feel. Take note of the sights, sounds, smells and anything else that crosses the path of your senses.

Starting point is 00:05:30 that crosses the path of your senses. All of these elements come together enhancing your relaxing experience in this familiar spot. And you can just settle in, breathe deeply, and enjoy that tranquility in your mind. Now, it's time to turn to our story. One of a family, a garden, and a home. There's something so special about home, whatever that may be to each individual. Home isn't always a house or even a place. It can be with friends, loved ones, or even a beloved pet. Home more than anything is a feeling. A feeling of belonging, safety, contentment, and comfort. Home is where we feel secure and at ease. It's a place where we are totally free,

Starting point is 00:07:34 where we can kick our shoes off and untether ourselves from the stress of the day. from the stress of the day. Jade and her mother Sherry are making their way home now after another productive day. Jade is excited about the weekend. This weekend, the house is all theirs, with her father away for work, and her siblings staying over at their friends' houses. As her mom would say, it's going to be just us girls. Jade can't think of a better way to enjoy the weekend. They park the car and amble down the driveway. Then, they walk through the stained glass door with its myriad vibrant colors and place

Starting point is 00:08:51 their belongings on the counter. Jade rushes off to her room to change out of her school clothes while Sherry begins to make dinner. Jade skips past her sister and brother's room before reaching her own. It is just as she left it, clean and pristine. as she left it, clean and pristine, unless you count the flower drawings she's been working on. Bear spread across her bed, along with a dinosaur fossil kid toy that was recently gifted to her. Jade is obsessed with dinosaurs and unearthing fossils has become a new hobby. It's so much fun that she can't wait to get back from school each day so she can work on them. She feels like a real paleontologist as she slowly, methodically digs up fossils buried

Starting point is 00:10:20 deep. It brings her so much joy, she can barely contain it. But that will have to wait until later. Jade shoves her things aside to sit down on the bed. to sit down on the bed. Then she changes clothes and puts on her worn pair of sandals, preparing for their excursion outside. Their backyard is beyond beautiful and is so spacious. It's been her favorite place to be ever since she can remember.

Starting point is 00:11:22 And to have the entire weekend to play in it and to explore is what she has been eagerly waiting for all week. Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Sherry is collecting items from the fridge to put into the stew they're going to make for dinner. they're going to make for dinner. Just as she finishes, Jade skips back into the room. She's bubbling over with enthusiasm to get out into the backyard. Her mom laughs and ruffles her hair, asking if she's got her backpack to collect some vegetables.

Starting point is 00:12:14 Jade scrunches her nose and bounds off into the living room where she left it. She stops to gaze at all the artwork that decorates the walls, which she and her siblings have created over the years. There are drawings of everything, and every one of them highlights the obvious interest that each sibling had at the time. A trio of drawings of the backyard catches her attention. her attention. Her older brother's drawing is a 2D representation of himself. He's standing under one of the massive oak trees with a bright yellow sun and a red bird flying through the sky. Her sisters has much more detail.

Starting point is 00:13:30 In the picture, Jade stands beside her sister with the entire forest and their home behind them. Jade likes both her siblings' drawings, but it is hers that she really loves. It's similar to her sister's. Both girls are in the foreground of the drawing in matching pink and purple skirts with the entirety of the forest behind them. But this one has much more color, and the lines are bolder and more distinct. and more distinct. The colors pop off the page, creating a lively depiction of the forest that surrounds the house. Grabbing her tie-dyed backpack, Jade skips back into the kitchen, asking her mom how she can help with dinner. Her mother promptly decides that they'll go out into the backyard first to grab some vegetables from the garden to put in the crock pot.

Starting point is 00:15:08 They set the plates and utensils on the table before they head out the back door, onto the expansive, dark brown wooden porch that overlooks the property. The ringing of chimes from above sings in their ears, and a gentle breeze caresses their skin. The delicate glass chimes twinkle in the sun. Shafts of prismatic, iridescent light filter through the air, making the moment feel almost whimsical. Right in the middle of the tree, closest to the porch, is Jade's favorite bird of all, the Pileated Woodpecker. of 19 inches long and with its distinct red crest, it is the largest, most extravagant bird she has ever seen.

Starting point is 00:16:35 It is a breathtaking thing to behold, and right now, it is only a few feet away, dutifully pecking at the tree. The bird doesn't even register them, but continues its work as they stare in awe. Then Sherry and Jade walk up the wooden railing and stop to take a moment to enjoy the beautiful scenery before them. It is late afternoon and the temperature is just right. The sun shines in the bright blue sky, casting beams of light through the treetops. It is a perfect day. The gentle breeze ruffles their hair, and as the duo look at each other, they can't help but smile. How glorious it is to stand here in the middle of nature. All around them is forest, thick and shaded.

Starting point is 00:18:11 The trees stand at attention at the edge of the yard. The various kinds of brightly colored ornamental trees dot the landscape, with one in particular standing out from the others. The blue Chinese wisteria tree has a brilliant sky-blue curtain of drooping flowers, sky-blue curtain of drooping flowers, graceful foliage, and a twisted, gnarled trunk. These brightly colored trees add such character and a resting beauty. They are the striking focal points to any landscape. The evergreens, with their sturdy branches curving upwards and their tough, furrowed bark, line the perimeter.

Starting point is 00:19:25 Jade knows from school, and just by looking at the cluster of cones, that the evergreens here are conifers. of leaves and flowers, these trees produce needles and cones, which, of course, find their way all over the forest floor. The pine trees stand out with their whirls of horizontal branches and conical shapes, while the mass of oak trees stand tall and strong, scattered all over the place. There's usually a squirrel or two scampering up and down their lengths in constant search of acorns. Speaking of squirrels, Jade's favorite one comes clamoring up the rail, tittering as she does. rail, tittering as she does.

Starting point is 00:20:52 Jade beams with joy as she approaches the slightly rotund squirrel. They named her Pearl for the distinct shape of the marking on her head, and also for the fact that she's as classy as a pearl. She's usually patiently waiting for them to come home so she can enjoy her daily treat. Jade reaches into the side of her backpack, where she always stores nuts just for the occasion and places some down on the railing. Pearl hops over and grabs one. She stays there, her tiny paws grasping the treat, as her pointed face with spulging cheeks gives them the once over. She is adorable.

Starting point is 00:22:06 Pearl's bushy tail, almost twice the length of her small body, twitches as she chews furiously. Then she grabs one more treat for the road before hopping away. Sherry laughs as they watch their furry friend bound off into the garden below and through the woods, undoubtedly to forage for some more nuts. The sounds of the forest have come alive and are all around them. Birds chirp to one another, and they easily pick up the call of the Carolina Wren. call of the Carolina Wren. They can always hear the Carolina Wren, but they rarely ever see one. When Jade asked her mother why, she responded that the birds value their privacy

Starting point is 00:23:28 too much to show off. And that was that. Off in the distance, they hear the chir throaty, deep rumble of a bullfrog. In the background, insects chatter, and the scampering of creatures echoes from deep within the forest. They stand for a few more moments, taking in the irresistible beauty of nature. And they bask in the fact that of all the places, bask in the fact that of all the places, such beauty is found in their very own backyard.

Starting point is 00:24:40 Not for the first time, they consider just how lucky they are. A red robin flits through the air, soaring high into the sky and over the trees before disappearing. It's another sign that they're never alone, thinks Jade. This place is home for all of them. These are their furry friends and family out here, and of all these sounds, their collective calls and voices are nature's soundtrack. It is a gift, one that Sherry and Jade are so incredibly grateful for. Jade stands there, gazing in wonder, and she thinks again just how amazing it is to have such wonderful nature right here, in their own backyard. This is exactly why she loves to use her pens and paintbrushes to try to convey the feelings that she has when such beauty surrounds them. At the thought, she reaches down and grabs her Polaroid camera out of her backpack.

Starting point is 00:26:31 She carefully leans over and snaps a picture, planning to draw it later. Then they make their way down the side stairs into Sherry's garden. The garden is well cared for. Sherry treats it like any relationship with love and appreciation. She pours her heart into its tending, and it shows. The landscaping around their home is awash in vibrant color. The trees stand taller, the bushes are greener, and the flowers more abundant here than any other place, Jade thinks. And it is all from the hard work and obvious care from her mother. It is inspiring.

Starting point is 00:27:48 Her mother taught her that any proper landscape should have a variety of shrubs, trees, and perennials, which ensures year-round color and endless depth. And it's important to always pay close attention to how much sun or shade an area receives, depending on the plant. Jade, of course, asks her mother more questions about gardening and nature in general each time they come out here, and today is no different. is no different. They make their way carefully down the smooth pebble-stone path that meanders through the garden and into the thicket of forest, just beyond. As they walk, Jade looks up at her mother and asks the age-old question of whether the seed or the plant came first. Sherry smiles and replies that that's a question which they could debate endlessly.

Starting point is 00:29:29 Let's leave that for another day, she says. Jade continues to muse over it as they walk on. as they walk on. A few moments later, they stop to survey the garden in its entirety. The delightful aroma of the fragrant plants wafts in the air, and the combined sweet scent of lavender and peonies tickles their noses. This is a garden that engages all the senses. There seems to be a little bit of everything here. Everywhere there are flowering shrubs and pink-pedaled roses in full bloom. And clustered around the garden are white and pale pink hydrangeas. These flowers have such interesting names, Jade thinks.

Starting point is 00:30:51 These include Oh So Easy Pink Cupcake for one of the varieties of roses, and Little Quickfire for one of the hydrangeas. That one is her absolute favorite. The peas that climb all over the ornate gold trellis add dimension, and dimension, while the lovely vines hanging off it give a dash of decadence to the charming space. The flowering vines are radiant rings of deep, rich purple flowers, with their petals cast around a yellowish-white center and green leaves. They accent the trellis perfectly. tells Jade that such vines also attract pollinators. And at just that moment, the blur of a hummingbird appears out of nowhere to poke into the depths of the flower.

Starting point is 00:32:25 The tiny creature hovers there, wings beating so fast they can barely see them before she flits closer. The duo stare open-mouthed as the green and pink hummingbird studies them intently before darting off. Sherry and Jade look at each other and grin, both knowing just how special it is to see one so up close. They are such awe-inspiring creatures. And all the plants are beautiful in their own way, even the vegetables. In fact, some of the vegetables grown in their garden are among the most beautiful plants Jade has ever seen, both in pictures and real life.

Starting point is 00:33:46 Many of her drawings are of these very plants, right here in her mother's garden. Sherry glances at Jade and asks her to point out all the vegetables. Thrilled, Jade immediately points to her favorite vegetable of all, the rainbow shard. This type is aptly named bright lights. The name does some justice to the stunning, brightly colored stems and stalks. The plant's stems are a mix of pink, purple, green, orange, and gold, while the stalks are vibrant yellow, red, and white and pink striped. They resemble flat celery. The large, firm leaves of the shard are a deep green.

Starting point is 00:35:17 Truth be told, if not for this plant, Jade probably wouldn't be as keen to eat her salad. It is certainly a marvel to behold. Next, Jade points towards a group of plants, featuring a tall, thick green stalk with broad leaves and multiple tiny green flower buds growing in clusters. She declares it to be broccoli. Then she pivots to an adjacent plot where distinct clusters of large, leafy vegetables grow with varying shades of green. They all have long leaves that look stiff and coarse. However, they are anything but that. Here resides the star of every salad, lettuce.

Starting point is 00:36:48 Beside the lettuce are tall,ing plants with broad smooth leaves, and huge scarlet tassels of flowers shooting into the air, which Jade easily names as amaranth. The plants give off a subtle, fruity scent that is refreshing to smell. Another ornamental vegetable, the Chinese Five-Color Pepper Plant, adds even more color and variety to the garden. Its characteristic yellow, orange, red, and purple fruit hang off the branches, just ripe for the picking. Sherry and Jade idle up to the line of tomato plants that grow along the length of the path, their red and orange fruit begging to be picked as well.

Starting point is 00:38:08 The two set to work, plucking and pulling items for their dinner. The evening ritual reminds them that little beats the simple pleasure of being able to forage in their own backyard for food. The shared experience is one that Jade can remember ever since she was little and is something that she looks forward to every single day. Her mother lets her pick all the colorful vegetables while she goes about watering and feeding the plants, and picks from the more mundane ones. They make their way efficiently through the garden, their movements precise and graceful as they collect the vegetables to place in Jade's backpack.

Starting point is 00:39:26 It's a routine that the two have down pat. They work in tandem, and before long, they meet at the edge of the path where the garden ends and hive-vive each other. Then they gently set all the collected items into the bag. Jade looks up at the sun and sees that it is the perfect time to watch it set. She looks back at her mother to see indeed the perfect time to watch the sunset. So off they go, heading further down the path and entering the forest. clearing the forest. It's just a short walk until they wind around the bend and reach the clearing with the large wooden playground set.

Starting point is 00:40:57 It's an expansive structure with all sorts of fun things to climb and play on. Originally built by her father for her older siblings, it is a castle of sorts. vaulted arches tower into the air, and there are even a few flying buttresses hanging over the swing sets and monkey bars. There is a spiral slide on one side of the castle and a wide one on the other. When Jade was asked what she wanted for her fifth birthday, her reply was immediate. Of course, she wanted her own princess Castle treehouse to join the playground.

Starting point is 00:42:20 Her parents weren't too surprised by this, and the whole family spent the following summer months construct the add-on treehouse. It was built like a tower, with a ladder leading up into it. Jade couldn't be prouder of her contributions to the treehouse, which were mainly decorative. Grabbing her mother's hand, she walks towards it now. Their backyard is chock full of magical places, but here is where Jade feels most at home outside, at least during the day. At night, she'd much prefer to stargaze on the lush green grass and maybe even catch a shooting star or two before drifting off to the noises of the night. This backyard is one of unparalleled beauty, thinks Jade.

Starting point is 00:43:50 It's full of the best kinds of secret spots, where nature shows off her most beloved treasures. Like the one they're climbing up to see now. The setting sun. The two make quick work of the ladder and in moments find their way into the tower. The circular room is spacious with a couple of over-stopped beanbag chairs, and a treasure chest full of Jade's favorite books and art supplies on the floor. A collection of her outdoor drawings adorns the walls.

Starting point is 00:44:53 The room is bright and cheery, just like Jade. Together, they grab the beanbags and drag them over to the large window that looks out across the treetops. It offers the best view and showcases the perfect silhouette of the city far beyond. In the setting sun, it's the most astonishing backdrop. They couldn't have timed this any better. The sun is just setting below the horizon, its burnt orange and red rays outlining the city structures and filling the sky with so much color. Jade is tempted to grab her drawing book, but not wanting to diminish the magic of the moment. She grabs her mother's hand. Smiling, they both turn and gaze in wonder as the sun slowly fades away. A perfect moment to another beautiful day. You You You You You You You You You You You You You You You You You You You. You. you

Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories - Exploring a Beautiful Backyard

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