Merry Meet and Merry Part, and Merry Meet again

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Glimpses

Going through a regular day, a day of routine, nothing special happening, there are still glimpses of wonder, mystery, beauty, melodrama and the occasional "huh?"

A phone call from a friend worried about a tiny hummingbird. This little ruby-throated female seems to be a straggler, left behind, lost or perhaps too young to follow its fellows on the southern migration. Winter is coming and if this little bird doesn't leave, it surely means death.

A mother waits for her kindergartner to return from school. She stands at the bus stop, texting continuously. The bus arrives, the child navigates the steep bus steps and hops off. Her mother is still texting as the little girl runs up.  The mother turns and starts walking home, texting, ignoring the child's excited voice trying to describe her day at school. Not once does the mom stop her texting.

A house across the way is in a constant state of upheaval. Loud, shrill voices float about the neighborhood on a daily basis. Family members in vicious tirades, cursing, name-calling.

At the grocery store, a woman assists her elderly parent with the weekly shopping. The parent is slow, confused and tires easily. The daughter is patient, loving and carefully explains things to the parent.

Teenagers on bicycles ride crazily across the main road, zigzagging back and forth, causing traffic to slow down. Fingers are thrust up here and there.

The most beautiful golden retriever is walked by its proud owner. A jaunty kerchief tied around the dog's neck.

Several large formations of Canada geese are flapping and honking across the sky. It seems some get out of line, and the honking increases. The wayward birds hastily return to the group and it is smooth sailing again.

The sky is a shade of blue only seen on an early fall day. A few white puffy clouds float dreamily along.

A funeral procession drives slowly to the cemetary, lights flashing, each car with its special flag. The gleaming silver hearse seems too fancy.

Someone's burning trash in their yard and the smell rises, along with thick smoke. If the temperature was colder, it would be pleasant.

Running with an apple firmly clutched in its mouth, an unusual black squirrel negotiates the shrubs and trees and dangerous streets, making his way up a tall maple to enjoy his ill-gotten booty.

Frying fish. That is what that aroma is, drifting over fences into open windows. A good dinner for a family tonight.

Oh, the signs are popping up everywhere. Big signs, little signs, reproducing somehow overnight. Red, white and blue signs proclaiming the best, the brightest. Perfect promises. Vote, vote, vote. There will be many, many more signs before that Tuesday in November.

Looks to be a beautiful sunset tonight, already the clouds are becoming tinged with golds and pinks. And soon the stars will be twinkling as they do every night, when the sky is clear. There will be a half-moon tonight and then the day is done.


19 comments:

Ashling said...

Thanks for showing glimmers of life in your world. Very cool. RE: the hummingbird...if it has the ruby throat it's male, and yeah, should have left by now, and will get the message soon. But the females (w/ white throats) linger longer; we still have several at our house, so no need to worry yet.

Debra She Who Seeks said...

I feel like I spent the day with you!

Robin Larkspur said...

Ashling, it is the female of the ruby-throat species. Good to know there are still some at your place.

AkasaWolfSong said...

Mother Nature knows when to tell the little hummer when to leave so try not to worry...

Your writing this was beautiful and very observant...we see so many things around us don't we? I wonder how much of it registers on a daily basis. You've prompted me to pay even closer attention Dear Robin.

May Beauty surround your day and night!
xoxoxo

Sandy Sandy Art said...

This is an Interesting glimpse into your day, Robin. You are so observant and so eloquently describe what you see and feel. I wish I had your writing skill. I feel sorry for that little girl. FYI - It is hard to tell if the bird is male or female in the first year. It is probably a juvenile. Hummingbirds can survive freezing temps for short durations. They go into a state of torpor. I get travelers here well into fall and have had them come through as late as Thanksgiving. The (mountain dwelling) Rufus are coming through here now and immatures are very hard to tell apart from the Rubys.

OmaLindasOldeBaggsandStuftShirts said...

Hey BB, I am ever so envious of your life watching skills. Seems as though lately, things just happen around me and I miss them. I've turn inward I suppose. I certainly loved this glimpse into your part of the universe and your insight into the turning wheel. Much love, Oma Linda

Erin | Bygone Living said...

This was beautiful, and so vivid! Made me feel as though I were there ♥

c. Joy said...

What a day! Thanks for sharing. I cooked fish for dinner last night. It was good - my husband called "Dibs" on the left overs and took them for his lunch... I will be glad when this election is over. I hate to say 'hurry up Life' but I don't even watch that much t.v. and usually listen to my 5 minutes of daily news every other day - still it drones on and on. Take care.

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful description of a rather normal day I guess.

Have a great day!
Christer.

Jeanne said...

I enjoyed the glimpse you gave us into your bit of the world. Reminds me oh, so much of something my mother would write about. And thank you for the reminder to slow down and observe and enjoy what is given to us. Some things good, some things bad, some things to make us stop and ponder.

MrsDuncanMahogany said...

That is one amazing, eyes wide open post! Well done!

The Boston Lady said...

Robin, I really enjoyed seeing life through your eyes. With a suggestion of words you brought each vignette to life in my mind. Ann

oldgreymare said...

love this post!

I drive my kids crazy with my observations..but i love nothing more than to ponder everything around me when I venture from my abode...and I wonder is she? what are they? what is that? where are they?

I hung out the window in my hotel in LA for hours watching the people move about and catching snippets of conversation, wondering wondering..

Glad to find a kindred soul who does the same. <3

Leanne said...

I love people watching!
But ooh to have your writing skill to record people watching now that is talent.
Love Leanne

PS I hope the little girl did get some attention from her mum

Lady Caer Morganna said...

Sounds like you had quite a day! Very interesting! Really makes you think about things, doesn't it???

Beautifully written, as usual. :-)

Blessings,

Kim

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

That texting mom and so many others, like her. Why? Why? Why? Sad... Way beyond just sad... Way beyond...

What have we (many of us, anyway) evolved into?????

Whatever it is, I don't like it.

-sigh-

"Auntie"

Aine O'Brien said...

this is fantastic! I think we should all observe this way...non judgmental, just taking note. The contrasts are so interesting. And if we all took note of how we behaved, how much would we change?

Magic Love Crow said...

Robin, very interesting the things you wrote! Really makes you think about things. Thanks for sharing your day with us! Big Hugs ;o)

Elaine said...

I love this post. Sometimes on my way to work I am composing my blogpost of all the little things I see on my daily commute. You know I have never written that post because I thought it would not be interesting. After reading your Glimpses post you have inspired me. Your glimpses were poignant and insightful. Thanks for sharing your world with your readers.