A hailstorm engulfed the woods.
I walked, partially sheltered by
the bare branches,
cocooned, warm in my coat as
the hailstones drummed on my head.
It passed over, the last balls of ice
bounced off my hair as
I put my hood down.
I emerged into sunshine,
a cool fresh breeze,
and contentment.
You can always find contentment if you walk far enough!
Today’s dawn chorus starts with a tawny owl.
Soft hooting drifts through the
7am darkness.
The shrillness of my alarm clock
is so ugly by comparison.
The absence of fairy lights
reveals the gloom of January.
Let’s make our own light.
Mountaintops glow orange.
Dawn reflecting
on November snow.
Sometimes, I wish
I could just fly south
with the birds.
Savouring the end of summer
among the last blooms of
thrift and sea campion,
the cries of unseen kittiwakes,
clouds of swallows and martins
and the arrow-straight splashing dives of gannets.
It’s that time of year when every bit of warm sunshine is savoured. The air is cooler now, the wind is blowing from the north, but out of the wind the sun is still hot. We sat in the sun on the Mull of Galloway, sharing the end of summer with the birds. Soon they will be leaving, the kittiwakes out to sea, the swallows, house martins and gannets heading south for warmer climes. A day to remember, sunshine,warmth and memories to light us through the winter darkness ahead.
This week I have been curled in upon myself
like a fern frond
waiting beneath the snow
for spring warmth
and lengthening days
as the bitter eastern winds howl
Snowdrops punctuate the January gloom
Each year I am lifted by
This ordinary miracle.
Driving to work
Past fields and hedges and trees without leaves,
The distant fells of the Lake District,
A milky opalescent dawn sky,
And I feel so happy
And I think, if I could send a message
To my younger self
I would say
‘Relax
I know things don’t feel easy.
But it will all work out in the end.
Take it one step at a time, don’t worry so much.
Life still has its ups and downs,
But the view from here is worth it.’
Pause in this moment
Between the out-breath and the in-breath
On the shortest day
And feel the seasons turning
Life in the Fresh Air 