I often fall into the trap of thinking I must travel to inject novelty into my life. Sometimes I remember, though, that I can inject novelty by looking at my own surroundings with a tourist’s eye.

Yesterday was a gorgeous spring-summer day, and I had the whole day to play. We live near a college campus, and lucky for me, there is a horticulture garden there. I wanted to soak up sunshine, like a plant, so I slung my camera over my shoulder, and walked the two miles to the six acres of tended beds. When I travel, I like to walk instead of driving. On foot, I can see things slowly and up close, hear all the bird songs that go with the place, smell the flowers that are in bloom, or the lunches cooking in restaurants I walk by.

When I do this at home, I get a chance to appreciate where I live, and am reminded how ridiculously beautiful it is.