February 4, 2022 ~ Friday evening (balmy/NOT raining/periwinkle skies in the NW)
I had every intention of writing about Groundhog Day … but, it came and went and even if we don’t have much of a winter in these parts, I was NOT happy with the prognosticator of prognosticator’s meteorological prediction of six more weeks of winter. It made me grumpy and not feel like writing. Stupid rodent. He’s so cute – but what does he know?! But, then, my son told me of another groundhog (Staten Island Chuck in NY, not Punxsutawney Phil in PA) who has predicted an early spring. I guess I shouldn’t rely on weather predicting rodents – all I’d need to do is just look around when I was out on my walks. Our daffodils are a good 5″ up already. The rhodies have big, fat buds. Some of the bushes along my cliff walk have leaf buds and on some hydrangea bushes, the leaves are already unfurling. Yep – I’d say an early spring is on its way.
For the last few days I’ve had something nagging on me … my body/my brain/the universe … all saying to me, “Pay attention!”
My body hurts … yes, arthritis … but suppose if I actually listened to it? How much better would I feel? My teeth have suddenly become overly sensitive … same thing. So, I’m trying to pay better attention … to myself and my surroundings … being more mindful. Heedful, thoughtful, receptive.
Yesterday I went out with Annie for a walk, late in the afternoon. It was later than we had started out in a while – still somewhat light out: nearly twilight/no gray skies or clouds to be seen – just perfectly periwinkle. Nice. I’ll take periwinkle over gray any day! I take these walks to get out of my head/move my body/sort out whatever is on my mind. I take in what I can and more often than not, I do pay attention to what is around me. But, sometimes I get lost in thought or I’m looking down to avoid the dips and puddles … but it’s nicer when I notice the flower buds and emergences; the tiny buds that are so early, the old berries still holding tightly to the naked branches and the multitude of deer and bunnies at every step. As we walked down the road I was lucky enough to see a pair of bald eagles flying back to their nest – homeward bound. They soared over our heads, making me spin around and watch as they glided into the giant pine 20 feet from me and 60 feet above. Back to their nest for the night. I’d love to know how big they are if standing next to me – wings outstretched – because even 60 feet overhead, they are enormous!
For an instant, I imagined myself an air traffic controller … Ground to Eagle 1 – you are cleared to land in the treetops on roadway Noblecliff, Pine #9. That is Pine Niner. Copy. Eagle 2 – circle ’round. Over and out. They took my directions flawlessly. I watched in awe as they both just glided in – wings spread wide out; I could see their feathers ruffling.
It reminded me of when I was in the south; I was driving down some road and off to my left in the side gully was a circle of vultures! No lie! It was amazing! I’d never seen one in person – and there must have been ten or more! It was so creepy and exciting! I slowed the car and did a U-turn and drove back towards them and parked not too far from the group. (A group of vultures is called a wake; seems appropriate.) I sat there watching them – busily eating some roadkill that had been tossed to the side. They reminded me of a circle of witches over a bubbling cauldron (adding an eye of newt … or in this case, an eye of rabbit) … their black, feathered robes draped around their hunched (amazingly tall and big) bodies … bent on whatever was before them for lunch. It was gruesome but I was so glad I saw that and that I was paying attention!
Today I had the walrus (Annie) in the back of Gus (my Fiat) and we were zipping around running some errands. This time for more dog meds; it’s like a pharmacy over here! I was first at the stop light waiting for the green arrow to turn left onto the highway and as the light changed, I looked to my right and watched a guy in some beat up old SUV go barreling through the red light. He actually waved at me as he did so. What!? Glad one of us was paying attention.
As I turned into the hardware store parking lot there were some people brandishing “Let’s Go, Brandon” signs and flags and other signs stating their dislike for mandates and masks and a very large “F” Joe Biden flag on the back of someone’s truck. Well, if they can voice their opinions, I thought I would, too. So, I opened up my sunroof and gave them all “the finger” as I drove by. Sadly, they thought I was supporting them! I wanted to go back and tell them that the gesture was meant for THEM. But, it wasn’t worth my time.
Today was another perfectly perfect November day, again … but this time in February! Our weather belies the seasons. And, thusly, I never seem to be in the correct one! I’m still thinking I should be seeing pumpkins on front porch steps even though my house is now adorned with all things Valentine! Annie and I left the house at 5pm … still “light” out (not daylight but not dark) … and without rain or clouds, it was lovely. It’s been so cold and raw lately, that today felt almost balmy. We stepped out on the deck and before we were even in the road, woodsmoke wrapped around us and … oh my! It was heavenly! (That’s the best thing about my neighbor – she burns good wood!) We walked, again, towards town (it’s a shorter walk for the dog; any further and I practically have to carry her up the steps once home!) and I looked up in time to see the same two eagles flying to their nest – AGAIN! I heard their tell-tale high pitched whistle-speak. It was wonderful to see them coming back to their pine.
The sky was a light, soft lilac when we were on the road. I closed my eyes, willing myself to imagine breathing in the scent of an armful of lilacs; my favorites that won’t make their appearances for another three months … but a little car was putt-putting along as I closed my eyes and I got lungs full of exhaust fumes, instead! Oh well; I’ll have to wait a bit longer for the flower scents! I’ll keep my nose in check and keep my eyes on the skies. Further along our walk the sky turned to periwinkle again … and by the time we arrived back home, it was a deep cobalt. What this island lacks … of all things … beauty is not one of them. I will miss this serenity.
And so, I’m home. The dogs are fed. I’ve got a pot of soup on the stove. And, I’m going to do some stretches before I sit down and watch something on TV. See body? I’m listening. What a nice couple of walks lately and as I go forward, in all things, because life is so much better then … I’ll make sure that I pay attention.