park

May 23, 2014

Big Day here

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Yesterday was a lilac scented morning walk, filling and delivering 100 water balloons to the park for the fifth grade picnic, attending junior high chapel presented by eighth grade, and more. Today started with another morning walk, though birdsong was more noticeable than the still blooming lilacs. It will be a quieter morning inside than usual because my oldest gets to sleep in a bit, not needed at school until midday for pictures and practicing for eighth grade graduation. No caps and gowns, just dressed up with a tie, but not the Star Wars one that he really wants to wear because it is against the rules this time. Half a day of school for my fifth grader because I'm springing him early for the 2pm ceremony. Cake after. Store bought. Big day here. Hoping for more smiles than tears. My, but that was a fast school year.

May 23, 2014

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March 30, 2014 Image

sky light

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I love the way the sun can rise and light the sky as both a fireball of gold and serene pastels at the same time. Blue and I took our favorite park walk this morning. Just a heavy frost on the ground. No snow. No ice. No rain puddles. The air was brisk but the wind was still. Heard songbirds sing and geese honk as they flew. No cars. Another woman was walking alone. She smiled as she overheard me say with a tug, “Come on, Blue. Let’s walk.” We did, as the sun rose and painted the sky both behind and before me. Now home. Good morning.

March 30, 2014

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January 16, 2014 Image

in listing sidewalk smiles
those thus far today
I nearly forgot one quick exchange
a piece of mail reminded me
moments are so fleeting
this one is worth saving
that dog and I
walked through the park
on the paved path yet again
then we round the corner
back in the neighborhood
and spy a big red shield
Salvation Army kind
a truck emblazoned
with the words,
“Doing the most good”
Blue lunges
wanting to chase the truck
he’a a hound dog
through and through
I see the driver smile
as he completes the turn
he may have seen mine first
(there was a laugh too)
before I reeled my dog back in
there is no such thing as “heel”
we’ll keep trying…
the driver honked in greeting
smiles follow in our wake
through windows, doors,
passersby and drivers
we circle back inside
we’re in and out a lot

January 16, 2014

January 14, 2014 Image

Blue and I saw the sunrise begin along the horizon. It was orange and gold then, as we circled ‘round the block and headed toward the park for the first time in weeks, due to cold and snow packed sidewalks. We both were missing our longer route. A few days ago he tugged that way, but I said, “No” and we took the shorter route to home. Today we ventured further once again. I was feeling ready and the dog was more than eager. “Let me at ‘em,” he said, with his nose down tracking. As we rounded the corner to the wide park path the glaze of ice was evident. Drat. Plan B was better. We walked in the grass. Diagonal even. A shortcut, “As the crow flies,” to quote an old expression. Blue looked at me with eyes that said, “Really?! You sure about this?! Fine by me, just checking.” That dog. I love him. Amber eyes that say so much. He didn’t woof, just trotted and stopped until I tugged. We made it home. Told boys, “Time to get up.” No one did immediately. Eventually they did. Before then though, a rose colored light caught my attention through the kitchen window. Oh. I opened the sliding glass door to the back deck. This. Pink clouds galore. Rose colored light. The essence of living life focusing on the Bright Side. Rose colored glasses. Except it was the whole sky casting rose light everywhere it touched. What a glorious way to begin a day. Today. I stood on the deck alone for just mere moments. Blue watched from the other side of the door, but greeted me as I walked back in to home. Good morning. I woke up hungry before 4am, but stayed in bed awhile longer. Morning whirl of dog walked, boys to school, now I can stop and breathe a second. Much better. Breakfast for me is next. Today is here. Embrace it.

January 14, 2014

January 1, 2014

to new beginnings

The first sunrise of 2014 was lavender and hot pink. Vivid, bright, streaks of pink, and me without my camera. Blue and I walked through the park. The only sounds his tags jingling, my cowgirl boot falls and one crow, but thankfully for just a l’il while. Shoo shoo. No cars. No joggers. Quiet, as the sky woke up with color. I didn’t look at the temperature before we set out. I looked at it just now: 17 degrees, feels like 2, and me without my scarf. Brisk, cold air and snow don’t bother me, though I’m not a fan of ice. I noticed we also have a winter storm advisory. OK. Sure. Whatever. I’m taking it as it comes, not fretting. Hello, 2014. I didn’t stay up to greet you at midnight, but I saw your first sunrise this morning, and it was as fabulous as the promise of this new year ahead. GOOD MORNING!

January 1, 2014
7:45am

December 12, 2013 Image

this morning’s sunrise
color filled the sky
as I looked back
over my shoulder
waiting on that dog

this morning’s sunrise
I nearly missed it
considered shortcutting
skipping our usual park walk
so glad we took the long way

this morning’s sunrise
all the more beautiful
because of the still, quiet, calm
across a neighborhood
usually filled with busy sounds

this morning’s sunrise
I paused to take a photograph
a picture never does it justice
the color is richer
the pink truer
the clouds more fanciful
yet a photo catches the moment
when I removed my gray fleece glove

this morning’s sun rose
just a little before seven a.m.
the temperature was zero
my weather app said it felt like -15 
cold
it was cold
Blue and I kept walking
on toward the park
moving closer to home
as the sky smiled
in shades of pink, lavender and blue
white sky now
a winter one
so glad I was up and at ‘em
and didn’t miss the glowing glory
of this morning’s sunrise

December 12, 2013

It is 10:26am now. Outside temperatures have warmed up to 12 degrees F, and it feels like -6 now. Warming up!

September 14, 2013

a l’il lollygagging

I put on wake up clothes to walk Blue on our usual route through the park. Now the dog and I are home and my youngest son is awake early (because today is not a school day). I suspect my teenage boy stayed up late reading to finish the last 100 pages of his book. I’m going to put my pjs back on, add my cozy robe in the lightest shade of blue, and have breakfast next. Happy Saturday to you!

September 14, 2013

July 23, 2013 Image

doggone dog I love
woofed before 5:30am today
he hasn’t done that for awhile
he’s learned to sleep in, my Blue
today he barked and fussed a bit
to let me know he really meant it
up and at ‘em
put summer clothes on
enough to hit the sidewalk
and be decent
we set off for the park
on our usual morning route
I quickly realized
the beauty of his timing
for Blue knew
it was a special morning
the moon so full and luminous
glowing o’er our heads last night
twas even more lovely
in the early morning light
with pale blue sky
behind the glowing sphere
wisps of pink clouds surrounding
to keep her from feeling bare, exposed
she shows her lovely luminescence
as a new day dawns
a morning moon lit the sky before us
as the sun rose to our backs
Blue and I kept moving forward
looping through the park
circling back toward home
always
home

July 23, 2013