Monday, June 15, 2009


Edward ... Inside On A Hot Afternoon

Toadlike, almost sinister, the hot day squatted atop the ivy-covered cottage, claiming the afternoon for its own and bringing with it a muggy June air thick enough to grab up by the fistfuls. The blue flowers bowed their heads low, in prayer for a cooler hour. The old trees napped. Like the singing steam from a tea kettle, the sultry heat pressed in against the windowpanes and inprisioned the big white dog in the coolness of the sleepy shady rooms of the house.

All during the many crisp delights of the other seasons, the big dog knew this day would come. Summer days like this one made his fur feel heavy. He glanced over at his people, still placidly reading in their favourite chairs. He sighed, louder this time, but all he got in return was a smile. Well after all, he thought, what could they do?

Turning back to the window, the dog noticed the long-fingered shadow of the fir tree in the garden had now disappeared. Looking up, he saw charcoal skies beginning to gather overhead, advancing from the west, as though a cavalry of windgusts had been sent from on high to blow this still unpleasantness to the sweltering hinterlands. He listened. Yes, he could just hear it, far off in the distance - the booming sound of their hoofbeats of thunder. It was time to take cover. He hopped up next to the lady, circled a few times and lay down with a satisfied plop. She patted his head absentmindedly. The rain began to fall, weighty wet drops that hit the ground with a sizzle, slowly at first, then in a torrent of silver streamers that washed away even the memory of the oppressive afternoon.

The big white dog laid his head on the lady’s knee.
He was happy now.

33 comments:

  1. Enchanted am I with every word.
    Blessings
    Love Jeanne♥

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a spellbinding account of a thunderstorm's approach! We've had them on and off all day here too, and the oppressive air gave me a headache. My fur felt heavy too, just like Edward!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh Pamela did you write this??? Oh it's magical!! I was not ready for the story to end - next chapter please!!!! Wonderful delicious word pictures!! Hugs, Sarah

    ReplyDelete
  4. Beautiful Pamela, I could almost smell the storm's arrival as I read your words. xv

    ReplyDelete
  5. Pamela - this story is nothing short of exquisite, How I love that Edward - can just see him watching the sky and can hear that sigh!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Delicious cooling rain! Such wonderful imagery in this lovely piece of writing.

    Please tell me about the picture? (Is it yours?)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Just like human people, animal people vary in their feelings about weather, storms in particular. So glad Edward likes the rain.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Delightful...image word picture...astounding! Captured in the house...in the large rooms...I felt I was there P. <3

    ReplyDelete
  9. There is something so beautiful about art images that look out through a window. I almost posted a picture of Pierre Bonnard's 'The Breakfast Room' for my post today, but in the end, decided it did not 'go' with my post. I love the image, though!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Ralphy used to be afraid of thunderstorms, too. I could smell that storm brewing!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Good dog. Good lady.

    Beautiful story and I didn't want it to end.

    Love Renee xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  12. Wonderful story though it felt so real about the approaching rain.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Enchanted...my compliments..chapeau..Bravo..you are a great writer indeed..:))

    ReplyDelete
  14. Poor Edward, I hope he feels better now.

    Your words are magical as always.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Awww I could just hug Edward. One of our hounds paces before a storm as she hates them. The others take no notice but hate the rain. All 3 sunbathe when they get the chance. In the evening they each have their bit of the living room floor then they stretch out like a greyhund carpet until bed time.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Pamela, you have a God given gift of setting a scene with words that is quite remarkable. I made sure I was alone in a quiet room so I could really savour this.
    That was the only reasonfor not having commented sooner. I wanted it all to muself.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hi Pamela,

    The imagery is so lovely and peaceful. I love your rain stories.

    ReplyDelete
  18. 'The rain began to fall, weighty wet drops that hit the ground with a sizzle' - perfect:) I loved all your words in this post - we had just such a storm here yesterday evening the noise of it was deafening in its intensity - sensible Edward to cuddle close and feel safe in the battering storms:)

    ReplyDelete
  19. I wondered how Edward coped with the heat of the south and storms. With weary grace. Should I have expected less? Lovely story.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Edward must be so relaxing! I love reading your little posts about him. They make always make me feel cheerier in an instant!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Oh what a lovely snapshot into Edward's World! Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Thank you for the visit....It's so beautiful here!
    (Edward looks like a prince!)

    ReplyDelete
  23. it seems that edward and i are kindred spirits when it comes to a cooling rain.

    presley and i both send you hugs!

    ReplyDelete
  24. wonderful Pamela, just wonderful as always :)

    ReplyDelete
  25. Stunning picture and a first paragraph to match it exactly. They both give a perfect impression of the day in question. I could go back to them again and again.

    ReplyDelete
  26. "The blue flowers bowed their heads low, in prayer for a cooler hour." Love that!

    Your words are pure poetry...magic to the ear!

    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  27. What I great life. I'd like to be Edward for a day.
    Catherine

    ReplyDelete
  28. Hello P&E,

    Wonderful imagery, once again. The toad squatting on the roof - sinister!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Such beautiful imagery! I love reading your words...they bring me right there...

    My dog paces and sends out alerts hours before any thunder storm arrives...

    ReplyDelete
  30. Love the painting that accompanies this post ... Missy D is an insider girl ... that is unless her Mama's outside. She's my little black shadow. Love to handsome Edward, Miss A and you from the Gang at Black Street

    ReplyDelete
  31. Oh poor Edward! I dread Summer. Not my most favourite time of the year....but summer storms can be rather magical. Wonderful expressive writing!

    ReplyDelete
  32. What a wonderful story, Pamela. Clever Edward I say.

    ReplyDelete

I love to read your comments! Each and every one! Though I'm always reading your comments, I may not respond in the comment section. If you want to write me directly, you may do so at pamela@pamelaterry.net. Thank you for reading!