Morning's Gifts

The way the mornings golden sun baptised the tree tops with light, left me silent...that sort of silence that is born from awe. How kind of God to give us such a view of a new day. A sight that blooms with hope and good feelings. At night when the sun sets it is a different feeling we have, it is a restful awe, a feeling that makes us feel as if all is well and now time to relax, to prepare for rest, sleep. Amazing really.
We knew last night it was going to be a cold night, but we let the fire die as it neared our bedtime. Emery was tired from a busy workweek and we were both so comfortable snuggled on the sofa watching a movie. I suspect that glass of wine may have contributed to the sleepiness that had us heading to bed, with only embers glowing in the wood stove. The stove was just warm to the touch when Emery got up. The house was 61 and outside was 21. We felt good about how well insulated the house is to be able to keep the house that warm with no heat on.

Breakfast conversation centered around thoughts of the first family to live in this house. Walls just one inch thick, batt and board. The inside walls had a thin layer of cardboard like material covering them, not more than 1/2 thick. It must have been so cold. The original house was just three room, all lined up in a row, shotgun house style. Not one single closet and no bathroom, just a privy outside. We have found old discarded bottles of lineament buried in the garden. Perhaps a bit of comfort for stiff old bones that had to endure the cold of winter.

It's to be a busy day here, more fencing delivered, more posts to pound into the ground, and potatoes to be planted. 240' of them to be exact. Onions too need to be planted.

While I was outside doing chores, checking on the chicks and ducklings first to make certain they made it through the frigid night, I heard a strange "cry". It sounded like a red hawk but maybe in trouble. It wasn't just the normal cry. Eyes scanning the sky and the tree line for some sign of the source of this frantic cry. In a moments time another cry from the sky, this one sounded more normal, and over head a beautiful red tail hawk, low enough that I could see its talons. The hawk flew in the direction of the cry for help, responding to each and every pathetic cry.

Crows were not far off. I suspect they had been antagonizing the hawk in distress. After a bit, the strong hawk flew over head again, calling to the other one as if to coax him into following.

And sure enough, after a minute or so, out of the trees, flying low was the other hawk.
The whole scene felt like a gift. Far better than any nature television show, because it was right before me. How grateful I am for a life that takes me to the great outdoors each and ever day.

I believe that there is a subtle magnetism in Nature, which, if we unconsciously yield to it, will direct us aright. ~Henry David Thoreau~

Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul. ~John Muir~

Those who dwell among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life. ~Rachel Carson~

Art gallery? Who needs it? Look up at the swirling silver-lined clouds in the magnificent blue sky or at the silently blazing stars at midnight. How could indoor art be any more masterfully created than God's museum of nature? ~Grey Livingston~