I Love Nature
Waking in the morning, my heart always feels a measure of gratitude; having a safe, clean haven that provided a place to rest, but also, a garden that awaits me. Even during the coldest weather, I love to start my day with a cup of coffee, surveying my tiny realm, from the vantage point of the deck's stairs.
When the deck had to be replaced, I had the stairs placed at the corner, spreading out in a fan pattern, allowing as much of the beauty beyond to be seen from the deck. There was more to it than simply a view, the steps face east, which is also faces an area that is densely wooded. Once you look east past the expanse of lawn, a tall and graceful willow tree stands. My traditional way to mark my stewardship of the land I reside on is to plant a tree when I first move into a new house. The spot needed something, but is always wet and mucky, so a willow was the natural choice. It was just 6' tall when I brought it home 15 years ago, now she stands over 50' like a graceful spirit watching over the gardens. In the morning, my first view is of the flickering sunlight through the slender branches of the willow, as they sway in the cool breeze.
As more dappled light makes it's way through the trees, I see my garden coming to life. A blue tailed skink slips out from the rocks where it's been staying warm during the evening, scampering up to a spot on the house that is bathed in sunshine. The birds are joyful in their song, fluttering from branch to feeders. Below the feeders are chipmunks, cheeks filled, looking as though they are carrying a grape in each cheek. Later in the day, from the safe vantage point of the wood pile, they taunt my little terrier mix dog, who tries her best to dig them out of the cord of wood, unknowing they have a tunnel from the wood to another spot in the garden.
When the robins are in residence, they are always the first to the birdbaths, splashing wildly, others waiting nearby for their turn. And when I'm turning the compost pile, one always flies over and lands just a foot or two from me, looking for worms. The robins eat very nicely on those days.
On occasion, if I stand very still, I'll hear the crashing sound of something large running through the woods, and will see just a flash of light brown and white as a deer runs through the trees. In the late fall, once the acorns start to drop, you can see one in the predawn light dibbling on acorns....or sometimes my azaleas! They are healthy and well fed, thanks in part to the buffet of food provided in our gardens!
The rabbits, and my friendly enemies the squirrels, are foraging for breakfast, paying no attention to me whatsoever; we're use to each other by now. We have a lot of them this year after a very mild winter and worry a population explosion will take place this spring and summer.
The turtles and the frogs haven't been as visible this year, though i don't know why. Last year, the box turtles seemed to be everywhere, and the frogs were always hopping across my path during my early morning walks around the neighborhood. This year, I haven't noticed them. I hope they are well and return soon.
Mornings in my little realm, in this land call Virginia, suits me nicely and I'm deeply and eternally grateful to wake surrounded by the beauty and gentleness of nature.
When the deck had to be replaced, I had the stairs placed at the corner, spreading out in a fan pattern, allowing as much of the beauty beyond to be seen from the deck. There was more to it than simply a view, the steps face east, which is also faces an area that is densely wooded. Once you look east past the expanse of lawn, a tall and graceful willow tree stands. My traditional way to mark my stewardship of the land I reside on is to plant a tree when I first move into a new house. The spot needed something, but is always wet and mucky, so a willow was the natural choice. It was just 6' tall when I brought it home 15 years ago, now she stands over 50' like a graceful spirit watching over the gardens. In the morning, my first view is of the flickering sunlight through the slender branches of the willow, as they sway in the cool breeze.
As more dappled light makes it's way through the trees, I see my garden coming to life. A blue tailed skink slips out from the rocks where it's been staying warm during the evening, scampering up to a spot on the house that is bathed in sunshine. The birds are joyful in their song, fluttering from branch to feeders. Below the feeders are chipmunks, cheeks filled, looking as though they are carrying a grape in each cheek. Later in the day, from the safe vantage point of the wood pile, they taunt my little terrier mix dog, who tries her best to dig them out of the cord of wood, unknowing they have a tunnel from the wood to another spot in the garden.
When the robins are in residence, they are always the first to the birdbaths, splashing wildly, others waiting nearby for their turn. And when I'm turning the compost pile, one always flies over and lands just a foot or two from me, looking for worms. The robins eat very nicely on those days.
On occasion, if I stand very still, I'll hear the crashing sound of something large running through the woods, and will see just a flash of light brown and white as a deer runs through the trees. In the late fall, once the acorns start to drop, you can see one in the predawn light dibbling on acorns....or sometimes my azaleas! They are healthy and well fed, thanks in part to the buffet of food provided in our gardens!
The rabbits, and my friendly enemies the squirrels, are foraging for breakfast, paying no attention to me whatsoever; we're use to each other by now. We have a lot of them this year after a very mild winter and worry a population explosion will take place this spring and summer.
The turtles and the frogs haven't been as visible this year, though i don't know why. Last year, the box turtles seemed to be everywhere, and the frogs were always hopping across my path during my early morning walks around the neighborhood. This year, I haven't noticed them. I hope they are well and return soon.
Mornings in my little realm, in this land call Virginia, suits me nicely and I'm deeply and eternally grateful to wake surrounded by the beauty and gentleness of nature.
By:
AutumnSwan
Age:
51-55
,
Female
