The thoughts that occupy my mind these days are mainly on
seeds, growing, transplanting and mowing.
There seems to be little to no time for any sort of non-productive
recreation, the time to plant is now and seedlings- much like infants, demand
full care and attention. Thankfully, I
arise very early. My coffee break begins
then around 5:10 in the deep A.M,
just as the sun peeks over the Pocomoonshine knoll. I travel to a spot in the yard where I might
sit in the finest first sunspot, out by the chicken coop- near the Wysteria yet
nearer to the Oak tree. It is so early
that the owl in the west woods still calls and the chickens barely whisper as
they must hear too, an early warning of mealtime talk from a great predator’s
beak to her babes-
“We are not only nocturnal, little ones. In this first luster of light, many new and
bright young things wander out into the sunrise glow and welcome the new day
with songs that announce their position.
Breakfast time chicks, I’ll be back soon…”
The old hens stay put, but the young carefree rooster flies
up to crow on a fence post…just like his brothers did and I can’t help but
wonder if he wonders where did they go?
One morning, they were here too- the next, POOF- out of the thin air
something plucked them up in mid-crow.
This farm does not much need a rooster so if he crows and goes, I’ll heed to nature’s way and not make a big
deal out of it. Although that fine cocksure Bantam is sure a welcome sight with
his glistening black long tail feathers and white though dappled plumage. Truly, I would hate to seem him go but what
can you do when there are hungry babies in the woods with a sharp-eyed mama owl
always on the prowl, vigilantly feeding her young?
Sip my coffee, listen to the birds- breathe deep and long
and never shallow for the work of the day waits patiently as a keen eyed owl
and can overwhelm just as quick as her swooping nature- one must be fit
mentally, physically and perhaps most importantly to this wide eyed grower-
spiritually attuned here by this light, this new day sun to take in each
grateful breath and exhale just as thankfully for the opportunity to work with
the earth.
I am one year older- true, but my back is stronger and holds
up better or perhaps I move slower and surer- maybe it’s the fluid way I work
into the day, no longer rushing head on in but first, adjusting my heart to the
love of the doing. Every day I wonder
still…and am filled with just being.
Here…now.
Take care-
