Gerry
02-12-2008, 04:01 PM
I went for a short walk up the hill to blow the smell of that hospital out of my system. It's a glorious sunny but sharp day. There was little breeze and no cloud to shield your eyes from the sun burning low in the sky. The crescent moon still hung in the blue sky clear as a bell swinging in the belfry.
I didn't chance the walk without my wee warm hat, just in case.
As I walked I was thinking here we are in the middle of February and I'm breaking sweat climbing the hill with the sun warming my back and the evenings lengthening. Could we dare think that the worst of winter has passed us once more. Could we dare think that Spring was just around the corner?
I kept a close eye on Toby as he was in full hunting mode from the first step today. Nose firmly planted on the ground and doing sweeping runs like a sapper clearing mines in front of me. The hedgerows are starting to dare too I thought as I seen the odd hint of green hidden under the winter blanket of withered brown and gold. Tiny bright green shoots probing the air, sniffing for the frost that tonight will surely bring. I hope they aren't foolish and make a break for freedom too soon and get cut down by the nightly freeze.
The buds on the trees are plumping up. Like the body builder on his high energy drinks bulks up before getting into the full training pre-competition mode and going for broke. The buds waxy coating still giving the protection they need but glimmers of colour clearly visible under that winter layer.
I past the swampy pond and there was some signs of life skimming across the oily surface but no sign of the tell tale stingy lines of jelly yet to be left by the mating frogs. They knew not to show their hand too soon. This was an important game and it takes courage to step out of their safety zone and try to flourish once more.
But maybe a few more sunny days yet before the race really gets under way.
By Gerry Temple
Copyright February 2008
I didn't chance the walk without my wee warm hat, just in case.
As I walked I was thinking here we are in the middle of February and I'm breaking sweat climbing the hill with the sun warming my back and the evenings lengthening. Could we dare think that the worst of winter has passed us once more. Could we dare think that Spring was just around the corner?
I kept a close eye on Toby as he was in full hunting mode from the first step today. Nose firmly planted on the ground and doing sweeping runs like a sapper clearing mines in front of me. The hedgerows are starting to dare too I thought as I seen the odd hint of green hidden under the winter blanket of withered brown and gold. Tiny bright green shoots probing the air, sniffing for the frost that tonight will surely bring. I hope they aren't foolish and make a break for freedom too soon and get cut down by the nightly freeze.
The buds on the trees are plumping up. Like the body builder on his high energy drinks bulks up before getting into the full training pre-competition mode and going for broke. The buds waxy coating still giving the protection they need but glimmers of colour clearly visible under that winter layer.
I past the swampy pond and there was some signs of life skimming across the oily surface but no sign of the tell tale stingy lines of jelly yet to be left by the mating frogs. They knew not to show their hand too soon. This was an important game and it takes courage to step out of their safety zone and try to flourish once more.
But maybe a few more sunny days yet before the race really gets under way.
By Gerry Temple
Copyright February 2008