After the rain...

Friday 29th January, 2021

After the rain yesterday I nervously opened the curtains. It was drizzling and the forecast said more rain or snow. So I grabbed the opportunity of a dry period at 10.45am to get out and about. A relief to pick up my grabber and set out. I had some old batteries to deposit in the Co operative store so headed that way. I dropped them off and bought some biros as I was running out and love to write letters. I queued behind an elderly gentleman. He mentioned to the assistant that he was 95! Although very slow he was remarkable, especially as he bought a litre bottle of whisky, a litre bottle of Irish Cream and an average bottle of gin. He repeated that he was over 21 and allowed so to do. 'Anything else? ' queried the pop eyed assistant as the elderly gentleman heaved these bottles on to the counter with nothing else. His reply I quote exactly: " I will be back for refills on Monday as these should last me the week end". Over £50 and ready to enjoy himself.

Fumbling with my mittens I found the £1.39 for the three biros and sallied forth. It was beginning to drizzle but I need the fresh air and exercise. An hour's walk but as I turned in to the local park I realised that one of my mittens was missing so I retraced my route. The mitten had been rescued and set on the dustbin outside the Co op.

By the time I was back I was wet as it began to rain hard. Now as I write at 4pm the sun has come out and blue sky is visible! I may sneak another walk soon.

I have just been by Virtualtour to Ballachulish over on the west coast of Scotland. Glorious and a fun guide full of stories of Glencoe massacres, local witches and legends mainly about Corag. The tribes and clans and families have fascinating stories and habits. Also the opening of slate mines and the horror stories of exploitation and abuse. It goes on and ever has, it seems. It was an informative and beautiful tour.

I sought refuge in Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche who shares his story of the exploration of the deepest, most hidden aspects of himself. As I read so I realise we all have such similar spiritual tasks and ways. If there is a God that God has created us all. That creation has left an imprint. That imprint is expressed in different ways in different cultures and times and in different personalities and environments. Years ago I recall a monk friend saying all religions are like spokes of a wheel all with the same centre. How do we come to believe one tradition? If I say I am right does that mean all others are wrong or misguided or merely at the beginning of a way? As Rinpoche's Father asked him when he was 9 "Can you show me the one thing in particular that makes you Yongey Rinpoche? " We can merely go our own way following the Spirit that guides us and being true to our inner conscience and belief. Whatever, we must open ourselves to the fullness of life, found I am certain in love.

I am on duty for an hour this weekend. I have agreed with the RSPB to be part of the big bird survey. I have to watch my garden and record the highest number of each species of bird and send in the numbers. I have been practising and in the last week have seen no bird at all land or walk etc in the garden. Today I have put out fastballs ( it is allowed and encouraged...I should have done so earlier ) and some bread crumbs. Nothing. Then my fellow dweller in the house claimed to have seen a large bird swooping over the lawn and house. Speaking to her daughter she has acclaimed that it was a Sea Eagle, reintroduced to Scotland over a decade ago and sighted in Fife and the Tay. As my companion hates birds and cannot tell a chaffinch from a pigeon or from a seagull I am sceptical!! I will do my count tomorrow when I have purchased a newspaper to read!

Interestingly the chapter I am reading is entitled " Impermanence and Death". Why do I feel that appropriate to the sea eagle sighting?