Ponder this:

Monday, April 4, 2011

Walking season

The sun looked warm.
When I opened the doors for the animals to go out and in, one at a time and at different doors each time, the air felt mild despite the wind.


I wrapped a scarf around my head and invited the dogs out with me. MiMau kitty came along.
We went a long way, all the way down to the fifth field where the view across the valley is wide and long.
The wild grapevine-and-bramble tangle has blown over there at the top of the fifth field, where the wind and weight of the snow has pushed it down. I believe it's the first time I have ever clearly seen the old stone wall there.


The fifteen-year-old poodles gamboled like puppies, stopping for long investigations where mice and rabbits have hunkered down during the long winter. I waited for the dogs to look up again before I went on; they lose me and head straight back to the house if I'm out of sight. MiMau and I kept a sedate pace, she fluffed up with the excitement of being out in the wide open, I grateful for her company and using her as my excuse to go slowly.


We regrouped and walked along the hedgerow. MiMau padded over crackling dead leaves near the wall. If it weren't for her white lips she would be completely invisible in that gray-brown tangle. 


By the time we were back in sight of the house, my scarf had blown down around my neck and my ears ached. The dogs were waiting way up by the house, and came running . . . running! to meet me and escort me back inside.


And so the Walking Season begins.





18 comments:

Tom said...

There's nothing like taking a walk with your dogs ...

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Sounds like you and your 'babies' all had a wonderful walk... Doesn't it feel good to get outside --after the LONG winter????

Hugs,
Betsy

Olga said...

I enjoyed the walk. Your writing reads like poetry.

Blipfillypicklepoo said...

The weather here was so pretty yesterday - the breeze soft on my face but strong enough to make my dog's ears flap around. Have really missed the walks. Enjoy your walking season, June.

Jacqueline Donnelly said...

I love the picture of you and your fellow creatures, all windblown and bushytailed, invigorated by the spring day.

Pauline said...

You created such a vivid mental picture - I could just see the grins on those doggy faces...

Lord Wellbourne said...

This post makes me ache to get out and about on my own two feet sans skis or snowshoes! I am seeing more and more earth emerging from under the white linen-clad tundra. It's only a matter of time and Mama Nature's benevolence.

SmitoniusAndSonata said...

We've suddenly , overnight , gone from Gloom to Spring .... a wonderful feeling !
Delighted that you've been tempted out too , however briefly . It sounds marvellous . I love the sound of your tangly hedge .(Typically enough, it made me think of jelly) .

Linda Myers said...

Lovely!

Grandmother Mary said...

Your words paint a wonderful picture of companionship and the fun of being out in the fresh air moving. Enjoy!

Barb said...

It's great to walk with you in the wind, among the brambles. I think maybe it's emerging spring there. It snowed 14" here overnight, and the skiing was great. However, your friend who skied in a t-shirt over the weekend was undoubtedly bundled this morning or froze to death. The wind chill was at minus 10. Of course, we know tourists are sometimes crazy, so maybe a little frostbite here, there, and everywhere wasn't a problem.

#1Nana said...

Yes! It's finally that time of year. I aired up the bike tires and went for my first ride yesterday. I had planned to go again this morning, but it was raining again. I'm all for the great outdoors, but I want it dry!

Wanda..... said...

The walk was very refreshing, June! It's really Spring here too!

Friko said...

Mine never ends, summer, winter, whenever. Benno needs his daily walk.

The length of our walks depends on the weather and how fit I'm feeling.

Anonymous said...

Yes so wonderful to be able to GET OUT again...what a winter. I like being able to see the stone walls, too.

Midlife Roadtripper said...

How lovely to reach that time of year. Our cat used to go for walks with us, too. She ran through the yards and or kept a pace about 15 yards behind us. Funny.

Enjoy the exercise.

Carolynn Anctil said...

That sounds like a lovely outing. I especially love that it was leisurely and that Mimau (sp?) kitty joined you.

Morning Bray Farm said...

And I felt as if I was right there with you. Thank you, June.

Please, please write a book.