There's something about early mornings...

Almost always, the dogs or one of the cats wake me just before it gets light. I turn on some outdoor lights and one indoor light and let them out, then go to make much needed coffee.

Shortly after, I join the dogs outside, after pulling on my boots and an old down jacket that is mended with duct tape the cloth is so thin. We wander around the house filling the feeders while light begins to show in the east. I often hear the delighted "dee dee" of my tiny feathered friends who are usually first to have breakfast.

This morning there was the sound of mourning dove wings, they make a joyful whirring sound as they find a place closer to a feeder where they know I'll be dropping seeds on the ground for them. They sometimes line up on a branch, or an overhead wire, watching the proceedings carefully. And wait until I go back inside before they land for their first meal of the day.

Somehow the snow that arrived the day after Boxing Day still clings to the trees, my car, which must be brushed off today and all the shrubs and the deck. We'll be busy this morning. But while I'm outside at this early hour, I enjoy the silence of a weekend morning. There's something about early mornings that I love. Is it the stillness? The sense that I'm at one with the world when there are no cars racing by, off to work or coming home from?

The only sounds I usually here are birds sounds, or a lone car or truck struggling up the hill, yesterday it was one loaded with two huge trailers-full of logs - headed for the local logging outlet I suppose. Often I a raven or two calls greetings as it flies past over the fields next door.

It's a magical time, and occasionally, though not a lot recently I'm rewarded with the most amazing colours as the sun creeps above the horizon and gives the illusion of fire and warmth. So lucky! I am so truly blessed to be able to experience these special moments - dogs rolling in snow, tiny birds calling to one another then cracking open a seed on a branch, sometimes feeling snow or rain on my face. All amazing, magical and wonderful.

May you have an awesome weekend, as we move towards the new year.

 

Early in the morning in the garden

In trying to return to daily posting, I realized this morning I had no new photographs and no idea what to write this morning. So I took my camera and wandered out into the garden. The sun was just over the hill on the east side and was casting beautiful shadows. Sunbeams caught brilliant colour in some spots flickering through tree branches and plant stems. I catch sight of the tomatoes.

The drops of rain from early morning showers glisten on the small cherry tomatoes both red and yellow. One larger tomato, trying to ripen before the frost arrives (which this morning didn't feel far away) appears to be bathed in gleaming moisture - I wonder if there will be enough warmth in the next few days to ripen it and others more green.

Some more - beafsteak I think. They make my mouth water, even though they're not ripe yet.  I'll have some for breakfast I think, knowing there are about half a dozen waiting on the kitchen counter. With fresh free range eggs,and maybe chives from another section of the garden.

The chill on my feet and in the air makes me turn around and look at everything. Much work to do to clean up the garden before winter. But since it's just the beginning of fall and the colour in the forest along the river is hardly started, I'll have time if I do a bit every day.

The wonder of this bounty from tiny seeds never ceases to make me feel very grateful.

The sky in the west has a gathering of clouds, some dark and threatening, some white and towering into the sky. More rain I wonder? It's rained off and on for several days - and the grass continues to need mowing. I have to laugh as I think about that, it's one of my least favourite activities.

And so I turn to the cosmos and volunteer sunflowers which blaze like headlights in the rising sun.

Breathing in the cool air, taking in the flowers, the birds waiting for me to leave so they can have breakfast, the dogs sniffing around in the grass, checking out last night's visitors, I realize how truly fortunate I am to live in this beautiful spot.

Once again I vow I'll have a small veggie garden next year.

And come inside to write.  My mind teams with ideas, colour, the feel of the breeze on my cheeks, the dampness on my feet. A pretty wonderful way to start the day I figure - lucky me. How about you? Hope your day started well and continues to bring you satisfaction and even joy.