Pockets of stillness.

“Build pockets of stillness into your life.” 

~ anon.

The hound and I are investigators of the ordinary. 

The route we take on our daily ramble is mostly the same 

but there’s always something different to see each day.

From her perspective and from mine.

Winter PJs are nowhere near as interesting as summer ones.

That aside, it’s just NOT the same walking without her.

I MISS her keen nose and sharp eyes.

Most of all I miss her company.

She enjoys watching the world wake up as much as I do.

She’s probably thinking 

“Silly humans ... why do they stay in their beds so long!

There’s a whole world out here waiting to be explored.

The birds are up and the sun’s shining.

Bring on those waves!”

I echo her sentiments.

Except for the waves bit.

I love being outdoors and on the beach as much as she does

but it’s only my feet I’ll get wet during winter.

They got more wet than usual today.

Low tide and a glorious morning mean only ONE thing.

MUDFLATS

In embracing the glorious mess that is me, I sometimes take it quite literally.

This morning was one of those times.

Mud does something to a girl.

It’s not the most glamorous of accessories

but a necessary evil when stalking my feathered friends.

Oh to have the freedom that they have.

When they’ve had enough of the girl with the bright orange scarf they take off.

So graceful and effortless and free.

Till I find them again.

I am more than blessed to have this sanctuary of sorts in my life.

Even without the hound, 

it provides a modicum of normality to the chaos that surrounds me.

Standing on the shore with the waves filling my ear-drums,

I’m removed from the hubbub of everyday life that continues unabated around me.

If I close my eyes, I can make-believe I’m anywhere.

THIS is MY pocket of stillness.

A rainbow on my road!

Anyone would think she OWNS this beach.

“Love has nothing to do with what you are expecting to get 

- only with what you are expecting to give - which is everything.” 

~ Katherine Hepburn

Walking in the waves with my hound does MORE than just feed my soul.

Not quite as clear as yesterday morning.

Yesterday morning for instance

 .... I was stalking a kingfisher.  It's low tide. 

 The light’s gorgeous.  

The hound's lying on the beach guarding her ball, watching as I tip-toe through the mud.  It’s hard to be stealthy when the mud is as sticky as glue. Unexpectedly my foot disappears to the knee .... in mud!  Foot makes that slurping squelching noise as I pull it out.  

Hound barks because the noise sounds so funny .... and kingfisher flies away!! 

I'm left with a leg completely covered in mud .... NO photo .... AND the giggles!

It's so dark when I leave the house that the moon is CLEARLY visible!

Giggling too much when you’re stuck in the mud ISN’T a good look.

The hound of course thinks I’ve completely lost it.  She could be right.  She’s the one usually wet and covered in mud, not me.   She doesn’t understand WHY I won’t let her join me.  It’s difficult enough though convincing the Kingfisher that I’m NOT dangerous let alone convincing it that the hound isn’t either.

Fortunately there are enough distractions on the beach to keep her occupied.  Unsuspecting hounds are treated to the sight of her galloping full-tilt at them.  Just as they think they should beat a hasty retreat, she screeches to a halt spraying sand intimidatingly in their face. 

 It’s quite impressive.  

Suitably satisfied with the result she’s achieved, she saunters back to wherever she’s left her ball or log.  

Anyone would think she OWNS this beach.

Fast forward to this morning.  We’re BACK on the beach, same scenario as yesterday only today there are TWO of these gorgeous little birds .... but far LESS light.  Let’s not pretend though that it was any easier just because there were two of them. They flit from rock to rock leading me in a merry chase up and down the sand.

The only time they were within camera reach of each other.

The difficulty I’ve had in photographing these elusive little birds makes me so appreciate the awesome shot I managed to capture at the start of June.  That morning was perfect  ... great light, no wind and few souls on the beach.  Even the hound seemed to understand the need for silence.

One day I’ll improve on even THAT shot ... but not today.

Mornings like this are invaluable for restoring some semblance of sanity to a mixed-up world. It’s been a week tinged with sadness as one of our favourite girls at the Co-op has had her life touched with grief in the loss of her brother.  Sadness in the lives of one’s friends and acquaintances touches us all and our hearts ache for the pain she’s feeling. 

Yep .... that's one of the kingfishers sitting there on the rock .... and that's the mud I wade through

Life IS short.  Sometimes you’ll never know the true value of a moment until it becomes a memory.  Love those moments and treasure the people you share them with.

“Tears are words that need to be written.” 

~ Paulo Coelho  

Manuka