Summer Morning

Two of the loveliest words in the English language: Summer Morning.

When I awoke this morning the sun was shining, and there was a slight breeze from the West. Teddy and I ventured out early, before the heat of the day set in, and went for our walk around the neighborhood. It is a quiet place, since our street is a dead end one, and there is little traffic during even normal working hours. When we go for a walk, we rarely encounter any people, and that is the way we like it.

We do, however, meet and greet other neighbors. Just down the hill next to the stream we find the Mallard family: all seven of the babies we have been watching grow this Spring are relaxing on the bank of Messalonskee Stream. Mom, Dad, Aunts, and Uncles  are there enjoying the peace of this morning, and watching the young ones.

Several squirrels dash across the street ahead of us. They are as busy early in the day as they are later; there seems to be no rest for our bushy-tailed friends. Teddy acknowledges them and moves on.

I am acutely aware of the morning air. As I inhale it deeply, I can feel its coolness filling me, and it is refreshing and comforting. There is no humidity or smog or smoke or dust: I am so fortunate to be breathing this air as I walk.

The sun is just starting to warm things up. Flowers are tilting their heads and leaves are turning skyward with the help of the breeze. Teddy is sniffing every blade of grass, every dandelion, every pebble he finds. There is so much information for dogs to read in the bits of nature we take for granted. For them,( with their sense of smell that is reportedly 500 times more powerful than our noses) this is the Sunday New York Times. Teddy is an avid reader!

There is a lot of noise and drama and dysfunction and hatred and anger and sadness and greed and terror in this world. But, this morning, for Teddy and me, there is just the cornflower blue sky, the gentle breeze, and the calm of the stream as it rolls along. We are very, very lucky to have this Summer Morning.

Author: barbarabeardsley

Writing is essential for me. My work helps me through so much of Life, and brings me joy and creative fulfillment. I hope you will enjoy reading my stories, essays, and poems. View all posts by barbarabeardsley