Last night I has set my alarm clock for an Early Rising. Though not in synch with the late hours that I had kept, determination moved my fingers as I programmed the device to allow only 6 hours sleep. Blocking a future regret that I would have in the morning, I determinedly moved the switch to the 'On' position.
In mid-dream I could hear the clock at my bedside chirping this morning and tentatively turned towards it. After I had flipped the switch to quiet it's blaring voice my eyes took in the dimness of the room and wandered about the ceiling. As I was still in the decision of rising or staying in My bed the choice was taken from Me as one of the Cats bounded onto Me, fully awake and anticipating breakfast. My morning fate was sealed.
As I pulled my sheet from Myself and turned to exit my bed, my body acutely reminded Me of the bicycle I had recently purchased by setting afire muscles long unused and begging to be left alone in their accustomed slumber. I ignored their pleadings as my feet touched the carpet and I wandered into the bathroom where I had lain out my walking attire the night before. There was business to be had onhand.
In the kitchen, the Cats had aligned themselves at their bowls staring into their emptiness with glances up at Me for their filling. The 3 of them had trained Me early on that there morning meal would take precedence over any of my well planned endeavors and I quickly snatched the bowls from them. As the tops snapped on the food cans they paced about their chosen positions in anticipation of their morning feasts. With bowls down in front of them, they surveyed their morning choice for their breakfast, then gingerly started upon what was presented in their bowls with tails swinging slowly back and forth to acknowledge their approval. I unlocked the kitchen door and made my way into the garage. With a press of a button, the door lifted and the light appeared simultaneously. My day was now at hand.
There was a coolness to the morning that I hadn't felt as of late and reminded myself that the season changing would soon be at hand. As the time would fly by, the Autumn solstice would be upon us and the Southern Farmers would be planting the winter crops of cabbage, lettuce and other cruciferous vegetables of all types. The stalks of corn would be cut and bound to be used as fodder for the cattle and the hay bales would be stored in the Barns. The Summer would exhale leaving the Fall to take it's place.
As I moved from my driveway I beheld the sky that was still an unfettered cerulean blue with no clouds present to show a line of demarcation. Above me stood a spectacle in it's purest form and I chided myself for having even considered the idea of missing it. An energy now possessed my body and my center of gravity began to right itself. I made my first turn.
As my steps fell upon the asphalt I felt a cool wind encompass Me. It was a visit from the North Country gracing the South with a minute change in temperature that would eventually take hold above the Mason/Dixon turning it into a Fairyland of frost and snowflakes. It would strip the trees of remaining leaves in order to make room for the tiny flakes that would rest upon the dark, protective covering of bark and give contrast to the landscape. To the South, it would bring a gift of respite from the heat as we would hurriedly wrap shawls and jackets around ourselves that were rarely worn and check the woodpiles for enough hardwoods to stoke our wood burning stoves and fireplaces. I mused that different climates existed in the same nation and with that, different preparations. While gas lines were being checked up North, heat pumps were inspected in the Southern region. We were One People in different circumstances.
Once more a stronger breeze took Me from my reverie and I perceived my second turn. By this time my shoulders had righted themselves in a backward position and my legs extended their stride. With every step was a delicate adjustment to right my knees and to stablize my ankles. The heel toe motion was coming naturally. The field in which the creek lay still harboured the dew of the morning and the sunlight gleamed from the top of the streams waters. Like myself, the creek was in motion to carry out it's task of filling the cattle pond. Emerging from the overgrown grasses and fieldflowers no longer bearing their blooms, it held an ethereal quality as if it sprung from nowhere. I nodded towards it's presence in acknowledgement.
The egrets had already left the pond traversing the fields and lawns foraging for their morning meal. The Cranes had taken full reign of the waters and stood in the cool depths. To my surprise, even the Sand Cranes had joined them this morning. They were easily picked out amongst the flock. There feathers were a silvery grey with ruby red fringing their beaks and faces. Most outstanding was their height of almost 6 feet, dwarfing the others in comparison. Rather than keeping to the shallows, they had taken to the depths preening themselves in the mirror of the water and fanning themselves to shake off the water that they had delved into.
The outermost part of the pond had lost it's mirror like quality. The Northern breeze cascaded upon it leaving countless ripples in it's wake distorting the greenery and Farmfouse that was usually reflected in it. Again the realization of a Season's end took hold of Me. The circle would once more be completed. Not only would the impending Season bring New memories but resurrect the old for time hasn't the capability to stop or reverse itself. It can only go forward as we all must or perish in a land that no longer exists, it's meanings long accomplished.
The walk back disclosed an expanse of sky that would soon deepen in it's hue and bring with it a warmth that would remove the chill from the coldest of entities. There would still be some warmth in these Summer climes to be contended with and I would take it in to hold onto and bring out when it could no longer be found. I don't let go of the Season's easily.
As I turned once more I could feel the rhythmic rocking of my pelvis as my legs sustained the weight of my body in a harmonizing gait keeping myself balanced as I completed my steps to the driveway. As I entered the boundaries of my home, I veered off into the lawn and straightened solar lights set askew and inspected the buds upon my hibiscus. I casually left the lawn and entered the garage noting the marked boxes of decorations and the tools that I'd accrued through the years. Within an instant, I was back in my kitchen and through the swinging door to the livingroom. The sunlight was gracing my crystals and a vivid light display of rainbows decorated my walls and furniture. My gift being received, I gave my humble Thanks righting the porcelain vase on My Grandparents Breakfront and inhaling the fragrance of their house so many years gone. With the making of my bed, I had completed my ancient chores of the morning and sought out what New gifts the Day would lay at my feet.
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