Count your blessings

Tuesday 15th September, 2020

Another almost routine day of delight. I woke at 6.14am and did not hop out of bed but staggered. The sun still had not risen so I was full of hope. In to the kitchen, opened the garden door for the dog whom I patted, in to untied shoes and staggered to the food shed. Dog followed. I scooped feed for the chickens. Then I shooed the now 19 mallards who flew off in a huff of wings. Opened the chicken coop and as ever the two shot out like bats from hell. Immediately beaks in to the food and the peck, peck, peck sound of filling their bellies. 

I walked to a clearing facing east. I was in time to see the sun peek over the horizon  and then rise at quite a startling rate. The sky filled with colours and the sun herself changed through a kaleidoscope of equally awesome colours and hues. I marvelled for ten minutes by which time the sun was fairly high.

Then the day...the dog seemed hungry so I fed her early. I grabbed coffee and went back to bed. Lay quietly, appreciated the coffee, the morning, my time in this beautiful silent place. Then a look at emails and the news...prayed and responded as I felt fit and appropriate. As much as I would like to cut off completely I feel I want and should carry the suffering and joys of friends and the world with me in my semi paradise.

A walk with the dog, sunbathing, feeding the tortoise fresh dandelions, lettuce and peeled cucumber....he really relished the latter demolishing the four slithers rapidly.

Otherwise a now typical day. Another walk after the afternoon feeding of the two eggs a day laying hens. I went along the tow path and decided to cut in to a field that yesterday had sheep but today was empty. 

Joy of joys I discovered another damson tree. It was fairly well laden. Sadly I had no bag with me so will go back tomorrow. I did taste and enjoy six fruits.

I came back a slightly different route to vary my views and search for new apple trees and suchlike. I spotted one so it will be a reserve. I did notice that the heat has been drying up the blackberries. There were so many but not now...and a man cannot eat or stew or cook them all. I hope the birds and voles and such like creatures are enjoying them as much as I have and do.

This evening a roast chicken left by my hosts. It is a bagged chicken and should feed me for four or five days. It is important, I feel, to honour the lives of animals, especially the ones we eat. I also try to honour the unknown millions who suffer or die in circumstances of war, migrancy, terror, dictatorship or any such brutality. 

My Mama always told me what her Mother had told her "Count your blessings and remember those who have none to count." 

I will not quote Yeats again but ask for your silent thoughts for those in pain.