Monday, June 27, 2011

My Retirement - Some Peace and Quiet

Beautiful day here and I am doing OK

The Sounds of Silence - Not

bird photo-1I read Molly Golver's blog last night (Some Other Mountain) where she showed a video of her gardens in the early morning as she walked around soaking in the beauty of her surroundings.  It was just lovely and it inspired me to do the same.  Although I am awake around 5:30 AM most days, I tend to lay in bed and look out the window as the sun comes up, the birds chirp and the day begins.  I look over the plantings in my backyard from the privacy of my bedroom window and get that panoramic view.  This is a plus as I don't see the weeds that grow faster than any other vegetation, don't feel the need to cut back the bushes that I trimmed three weeks ago and have regrown, and don't get bitten by the bugs that seem to be in abundance this year.   So this morning, influenced by Molly, I jumped out of bed at around 6:30 am, went downstairs to my kitchen to brew my tea and prepared to get a headstart on the day.  Then, with cup in hand, I went  to my outside room to take in all the ambiance of the early sunlight.  On my short walk, I got bitten by a gnat or some other culprit, but was not discouraged.  As I sat there, enjoying my tea, listening to the chirping of birds,  I wrapped my mind around the serenity of the moment.  All of a sudden, this noise of a riding lawnmower invaded my space.  From around the side of my house came a Dale Earnhardt wannabe going as fast as his tractor would take him, making this horrifically loud sound as he spread fertilizer all over the lawn.  The birds took off for the woods, the peaceful feeling disappeared and  I ran into the house (I was in my pj's) dropping the tea all over myself.

So my moment of Zen was gone.  Back to my bedroom I went, closed the windows to the outside world, and muttered some vile words to myself .  Then I started to call hubby to ask why he would make an appointment with the fertilizer company to come early in the morning and why wasn't I told.  However, then I realized that he was still trudging to work everyday and I wasn't.   I had another day to try my bid at tranquility, so how can I complain.   Tomorrow I will venture out again, maybe.

The sun'll come out
Tomorrow
Bet your bottom dollar
That tomorrow
There'll be sun!

Just thinkin' about
Tomorrow
Clears away the cobwebs,
And the sorrow
'Til there's none!

When I'm stuck a day
That's gray,
And lonely,
I just stick out my chin
And Grin,
And Say,
Oh!

The sun'll come out
Tomorrow
So ya gotta hang on
'Til tomorrow
Come what may
Tomorrow! Tomorrow!
I love ya Tomorrow!
You're always
A day
A way!

God, I hate that song!  Makes me want to gag.

9 comments:

  1. What a shame that darn lawnmower spoilt your moment! We had a couple of ten year olds racing up and down the road on mini quad bikes yesterday. Grumpy old Farmer Giles from next door soon put them right. I don't know exactly what he said to them but whatever it was, it was very effective - the rest of the day was wonderfully peaceful!

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  2. Hi Molly, Peace and contentment are wonderful, but when chaos happens, you have a better story to tell. Nothing is better than a good story.

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  3. Hello Arleen:
    C'est la vie [or some such thing]. But we do agree how wonderful are the early mornings, and none more so than those of summer and so, in a way, the distractions of the world do not really matter and, as you yourself say, it is such a privilege to enjoy such times unspoilt by any thought or suggestion of the daily grind called 'work'.

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  4. We've learned when to sit out back and when to sit out front, when to shut the windows and stay inside and when to head for higher ground. It took a while but we've gotten on to the timetable of the neighbourhood. If we weren't so d****d old we'd head for the country.

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  5. Lance and Jane, yes, even with all the annoying people and bugs that tend to bite, I am priviledged to be out of work (of my own choice) to enjoy life's simple pleasures.

    MBJ, looks like you got it down pat and are able to fit your schedule around other people's habits. Good for you.

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  6. You are so spot on. In trying to get a mental snapshot, we instead get bitten. Truth spoken here.

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  7. It's a beautiful day....I went out and watered my world....but now reality...two Dr. Appts....what fun...but it's going to work!!!!!! Have a great one...see you in Sept...I will send the "Fay Schedule"!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  8. I love the way you look at the world. Too bad you don't live here. Not much peace and quiet in the mornings, but I'd sit outside and slop tea on myself with you any ol' time.

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  9. nicely observed there!!
    and nicely written

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