Several years ago, we bought a large statue of Buddha from an estate we were handling. The statue had been stored in a small closed garage for years with miscellaneous household objects and boxes stacked all around it.

Ray and I were happy to unearth this beautiful Buddha and knew that we’d like to find a spot in our orange grove for him. We have done just that and now this very large Buddha has his own place in the grove with white roses planted on either side and big jade plants and rosemary bushes in front. We also have our son-in-law’s hydroponic garden situated a few feet behind the statue so the sound of bubbling water is always present. The roses are currently blooming and the rosemary bushes are full of delicate violet-colored flowers. Our bees are busy taking advantage of the abundance of pollen present this time of year.

Knowing that this Buddha has been freed from a dark and crowded space makes me happy. This is definitely an art piece that was designed to be enjoyed and to bring peace and tranquility to anyone who might take time to sit quietly nearby. It feels as though this Buddha is exactly where he is meant to be – under the open sky, surrounded by trees, and in a place where the sounds of nature abound. There are small chairs behind each of the rosemary bushes where it’s possible to sit and be very quiet. A sweet and unexpected pleasure to come upon in the middle of an orange grove. A tranquil place.