snapshot
I'm sitting outside at the table, in one of the black, cast-iron chairs that rocks with a slightly springy movement. The rosy glow of the sunset is fading into the blues and greys of early evening over the Sierras to the west. To the east, the sky is colored in bands of pink, purple, blue, topped with a few cottonball clouds on the horizon. I can feel the breeze whispering through my hair, softly caressing my skin, a nice contrast to the the roaring winds of the last few nights. It is slightly chilly, not in a bad way, but in a brisk way that makes you feel glad to be alive. I can hear what sounds like a owl calling out in the distance, a song bird's fluttering whistle, and the neighbor's dogs barking at some real or imagined invader. A jet just took off from the base and although I can't see it, I can hear it rise high above the skyline, for destinations unknown. In front of me are parked the cars, the dusty blue Suburban and the silver Honda. In the pen across the way, the bucks are pushing against each other in a mock show of force, the gold male vs the dark brown one. I can hear the kids playing, working on a digging project (to where I have no idea). The tall trees bend ever so slightly, a graceful dance of dark green leaves and branches that contrast with the subdued hues of the surrounding property. The old chocolate labrador struggles to rise to her feet, aching from years of boisterous activity finally catching up with her in her old age. She is looking for something to chew on, a stick perhaps. Some days I think she is part termite. A small insect fluttered by, pausing by the glow of my monitor for a moment before carrying on with its business. As the sky shifts to lovely shades of navy blue, so deep and saturated that I wish I could capture the color, I feel like I could sit out here forever.
This is a place of extreme contrasts. This has been a day of extreme contrasts. Where I am now is where I need to be to recharge, regroup and get centered back on what is important. Whoosh.
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That description makes me think of my happy place. Although I am not the best on the detail I will try my best to paint the picture.
It is a cool brisk night, not too cold but just enough to make you happy to hug the person next to you. It is late or at least dark. Looking up you see a clear sky with millions stars shining so bright. The moon is full and big; enough so you can see the details of each massive crater and the shadows that are being cast from the gigantic ridges. Looking to right and left you see nothing but thick deep forests. Each tree is a giant evergreen with broad branches. From these trees you hear the calls of owls and other wild life animals; each call warms your heart knowing that the woods are full and healthy. You are sitting on a wooden bench that rests on a wood dock. The dock stretches back behind you about 25 to 50 feet. The dock is made of fallen trees and is hand carved. At the end of the dock sits a small cabin made of the same evergreen logs as the dock. Within the cabin you can see the flicker of a small fire or oil lamp that lights the inside. You notice the moths at the screen door as they try to eat their dinner of small flying insects. Or perhaps trying to warm their small bodies by the radiation heat, whatever it is they do. Behind the cabin is a small dirt road just big enough for one vehicle at a time. It stretches beyond your sight from your current relaxing spot. From your bench you notice the sound of small waves from the crystal clear lake below you. The sound is interrupted by the thud of a small row boat which is tied to the dock via a rope. This small boat, just big enough for two is rubbing against the dock ever so slightly. The lake’s waves continue to lap on the beach, the sound is a rhythm of nature’s song. You give a small tug on the blanket that covers your legs and hug the person sitting next to you. You have not spoken a word to each other all night but you don’t have to. You already know what the person is thinking. You notice on the other side of the lake a small animal drinking from the water. It is too dark to make it out but you know it must be a deer or a small moose, you can see the white shine from its eyes as it looks towards you. Peaceful as the night it ignores you and carries on with its drink and seconds later walks back into the forest. It makes no sound that you can hear much like a ghost of the night. The person sitting next to you returns your hug and you rest your head on theirs just watching the stars blink in the dark sky.
Posted by: The Great One | April 23, 2007 09:11 PM