Our beagle has diabetes insipidus, which means he can’t process/store water and pees constantly. Since moving into a townhouse, I feel like I spend half my day on our doorstep, waiting for him to pee. It’s a pain. But it’s also a daily peek at how the sesasons are moving by. Every morning, in the dark, I check out the moon. In fall, I could see Orion sparkle against the velvety navy sky. Now he’s gone. But there’s always something new to wonder at. The other morning, as I stood in the dark, small soft snow was falling. I could see it dotting my furry bathrobe. But it wasn’t silent like snow. It was, I guess, soft hail. And it made a little rippling noise as it landed on the shrub next to me. It sounded like the earth was applauding the sky ever so quietly. It made me feel a bit like clapping, too.
Head over to Two Writing Teachers for links to more Slice of Life posts!
Though we certainly do much for our pets, they in turn do so much for us – bringing us back to grounded joys. Loved the applause! Maybe it was for you.
It sounded like the coyotes were really close last night, so the dog’s trip outside was cut really short and I didn’t notice the stars at all!
Heehee–I feel special if I did anything to deserve that wonderful applause:>) Yikes on the coyotes. I know we have them here in Minnesota, but they do not make themselves known often. I haven’t seen or heard any, and we don’t see articles about them taking pets. For now. But…yikes. Keep that pup close:>)
Laura, thank you for allowing my senses to waken this morning. Your small observations are full of vivid images. Enjoy listening and seeing what is around you today.
Thanks, Carol. I tried to really do a vignette, a slice of life, this week:>)
Maybe what you were experiencing was “grappel”? We have it too, feels like foam pellets sometimes. I love that you turned something many might complain about into something beautiful, Laura. That’s poetry!
Yep, I think so. I saw it as “graupel” online–I hadn’t heard of it before, I don’t think. Thanks for the kind words, Linda. And…I complain about it, too, sometimes (the taking Jack out) as it’s VERY frequent. But I’m grateful when I can let go of irritation and focus on something beautiful right outside my door:>)
I live in a town house with a dog, too. I take her out the back door frequently and also use the time to gauge the weather, etc. Right now, snowed-in in Portland, I am monitoring the promised thaw.
It’s like a part-time job on top of regular life. Love that we are part of a whole tribe of townhouse dog-owners, all studying the weather and such:>)
Here’s to dogs who make us enjoy the world in all weather–and notice the rippling sounds of soft hail!
Pets do take over a special place in our hearts! I loved your description of the snow hitting the bush.
Thanks, Linsey!
I love how you find a silver lining to letting the dog inand out. I will think if this next time my dog wakes me in the night to go out.
Thanks, Catherine:>)
Sounds like your pet is giving you a regular morning meditation time.
If only it weren’t 10-15 times per day!
You take your job as a poet very seriously. Pay attention even when it’s time to pee.
I should get hazard pay!
I’m entranced with your image of the earth applauding the sky. Early mornings fill me with wonder and I so enjoyed sharing yours.
Thanks, Molly. I’m going to write a poem around that image this weekend, I hope. :>)
My OLW this year is mindfulness, and this is a perfect example! Take a small moment that could be viewed as annoying and turn it into something beautiful. Poetry. Love it!
Thanks, Holly. I’ve been working (in an unstructured way) on mindfulness for 2-3 years now. It’s a great thing to focus on. A gift to ourselves.
i know that sound – when there is no other person awake – it sounds like silence but just the rain, bouncing
Yes!