I absolutely savoured the night sky tonight. I ventured out, as I did yesterday, into the darkness, but this time, wrapped in the cosiest blanket, my coat and winter boots, to take my time and just be in the garden and the gloom. It was an enhancing experience. Nothing new, nothing unusual, nothing unexpected, but somehow it filled my heart and soul.
The funny thing is, of course, there is no real darkness here where we live. The street light just crowds into the garden, elbowing its way in, so that all you have is a small bowl of stars up above and a halo of light encircling it from the streets all around.
Nevertheless, I chose to stroll down to the bottom of the garden, Monkey Shoulder in hand, to the inherited bench that used to be Mum and Dad’s – and just sat. No expectations, having arrived there too late to see anything but the blackish-blue sky and tiny torches twinkling through. I had been hoping for shooting stars, but either I was too early or too late. But I did see the satellite as it whizzed past the Plough, and I amazed at man’s ingenuity as it went on its way. A dog barked, the wind blew, the chimes chimed, a motorcycle and a car vroomed by and, for a moment or two, I was content.
That is not to say, of course, that the rest of the day brought unrest! Au contraire, mon brave! Generally speaking, it was a good day, with jobs done and easy relationships on the menu.
With a breakfast of pancakes, berries and yoghurt over, it was time to inspect the garden before fixing the ‘feet’ I’d painted to the bottom of the fireplace in the kitchen. John came to my rescue and did the gluing and fixing while I watched on. It’s looking good.
Then on to winkling Mum out for a walk in the garden. She’s always reluctant. It’s beautiful day, with sunshine and everything, but she looks out with trepidation every time. I wrapped her up in her coat and a scarf over her head to ward off the pesky wind, and out we went. Once out there, she thought it was wonderful. The wind wasn’t too bothersome after all, and the sun was so warm. What a pleasure …..oooh, and look at that butterfly!!
It’s always unexpected when the doorbell rings these days, but today, not so. We had had a text message: ‘On way with skip’. Great excitement in the household as we gathered together all sorts of junk to be skipped – whooopee! Well, to be fair… it was John who did the gathering and skipping……
Other than that, we all flopped in front of day-time TV this afternoon; John lamented his painful back and the fact that we weren’t taking advantage of the sunshine; Mum snoozed; and I pretended I was a 16-year old and lightened my hair. Food, then more flopping in front of evening TV…..
So let’s spare a thought for those who can’t flop in front of the TV today, for whatever reason. So many, many people who don’t have that luxury. Especially, of course, those hit by the virus: 4,301 infected, but…. what the (???)….. 823 died yesterday. No complacency and no platitudes please. It’s not over, folks. God bless everyone, whatever you are going through today.
You have inspired me to go outside tonight as the night sky is amazing here. I keep thinking that I must try to identify something other than the Plough.
Keep up with your blogs which I enjoy.
Thank you Eileen. And me too! The Plough is more or less all I can manage!!
I like your communing with the night sky. It’s a bit late in the season for good observation but I know from experience that light pollution is the main problem in larger cities. It was even a problem for me when we lived in our small village in Switzerland as it was still too close to Zurich.
Keep up your spirits. And stay healthy.
Thanks Nev – lovely to hear from you. Have been thinking of you and wondering how you are coping without all that culture!!?? And ditto. Keep up your spirits, too. And stay healthy. Until we can get together again…..