The voice of a sombre US President on the six am radio. Again.
It's rained overnight. When we venture out the young swallows are washing themselves in puddles in the courtyard. The rich blue of their wing feathers glistening royally in the early sun. How argumentative and noisy they are. A trill of mysterious sibling melodies. The PONs, ever hopeful, see what's happening, yelp with excitement and hurtle after the young birds. To demonstrate their mastery of the air the chicks shoot up, flex their wings and swoop and dive and twirl inches away from the heads of their enthusiastic pursuers. Playful gymnasts. They repeat their gravity defying routine of back flips and right angle turns a second, then third, then fourth time before they soar away to fresh adventures. They're young, the world is achingly beautiful and gravity only applies to older generations. In Scotland and Italy different swallows and different PONs used to play the same games. I thought it then and I think it even more now - for those who take the time to look nature paints a canvas of reassurance.
Some mornings you take your solace where you can find it.
Exhausted, the PONs clamber into the back of the car and promptly fall asleep. The sort of contented silent sleep that tells you they're dreaming of times long ago when PONs chased swallows in a Polish field.
In McDonald's they've hung bunting with all the flags of the nations participating in the European football championships. Scotland, again having failed to qualify, notable by its absence.
In the grocery store something I've never seen before. A bottle of mare's milk. Very Mongolian. Thank heavens I read the lable before buying it.
14 comments:
Dear ANGUS - having read your blog faithfully for years now - it has to be said that your eloquent words today may be your finest. So beautifully said. Exactly right at a moment when most needed. Here on the Westcoast of Canada - thank you from two who appreciated you today - perhaps even more than usual. We (as well) take daily solace in the routines of nature and the animals we watch each and every day.
Looking forward to their predictable comings and goings.....they seem to make sense when most needed. Big hugs to the PONS.
You are so right Angus. There are moments when the beauty and rhythm of nature is all that saves one from desparing of the world. On another note ... who would buy mare's milk, and what would one use it for.... it's pasturised I see, so not for making cheese....
Well done Angus, for putting it so well this morning, after an event that has left those of us who admire the many good things about the USA rather at a loss for words.
All the best, Gail.
Thank you, Angus, for those happy images to start our week, after a weekend of tragedy, violence and loutish hooliganism.
How we wish we could have seen the PONs is their "ballet" with the swallows ! Somehow we feel that though Sophie may not exactly have the grace of Fonteyn, is Bob a budding Nureyev?
You really have a way of phrasing things. Usually I chuckle over your wry observations all day. Your take on dark events is just as spare and skillful.
Elegantly expressed, a well-painted picture. Yes, reassurance. Thank you so much.
As I feel myself becoming overwhelmed by negative emotions in the coming days, I shall instead recall your words, Angus. Thank you.
Most days now I crave to be Thoreau. To have my own little Walden in the woods. To never have to speak to or see another human being would be just fine by me. We are becoming a very cruel race.
Yes, we can find peace with our pets!
Recently in the US, ended up in a 'discussion' about gun control with the niece's fiancé who 'carried concealed' when taking his rubbish to the tip. I think having guns makes people paranoid. You'll have to try the Mare's milk and give a report. Perhaps Mare's yoghurt?
Thank You Angus, for always taking us to a better place.
Your words are beautiful and always make us remember the truly important things.
Very well said, Angus.
Among the important things recorded, the concept that one finds solace where you can find it - most especially in dogs and in nature. Thanks, Angus.
Among the important things recorded, the concept that one finds solace where you can find it - most especially in dogs and in nature. Thanks, Angus.
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