Sunday, March 8, 2009


To Pay Attention

“That big dog looks so happy”, the man called out over his shoulder as he cycled past and out of sight. Edward paid him no mind as he continued his jaunty pace through the trees.
The winding forest pathway, snowcovered only days before, was now lined with the chartreuse velvet of new moss, transformed as a greystone bridge over leprechaun
seas that flowed all the way to the clearing. Edward stopped to listen. The old forest fairly crackled with the expectation of Spring. How long now? Days? Minutes?

The March sun, happily unhindered by cloud, took full afternoon dominion and draped sheets of tinsel across the lake; such shimmering silver, it hurt the eyes. Edward flopped down to rest on a grass carpet which still remained reluctant to remove its winter coat of gold, not yet ready to unveil the lemon emerald dress of Spring. Ancient windchimes performed nonchalant overhead tunes and a clumsy bumblebee tested out his new Spring wings for the very first time. The big dog dozed while the wind gently played with his fur.

To pay attention at the arrival of a new season. To spend a quiet extra hour in the perfection that is Nature. These are the halcyon moments.
That big dog was indeed happy.

"One attraction in coming to the woods to live was that I should have leisure and opportunity to see the spring come in."
Henry David Thoreau

30 comments:

  1. It felt like Spring here in Alabama today....just think, last weekend it snowed...today it was 72 degrees outside and the Bartlett Pears were in full bloom. I hope the season arrives in your area soon!

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  2. Grey skies, but warm up here, too this weekend. The windows were open and the manor full of fresh warm air!

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  3. He does look like a happy dog :) So glad you are enjoying the lovely weather where you are!

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  4. Life with Edward: sheer bliss! sheer bliss! Thank you for sharing!

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  5. Yes spring is coming closer and closer... pretty soon Edward you will be running in the tall grass. xoxo

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  6. Spring will come eventually. Here it is blustery with freezing rain, and I dread having to go out in the morning. But once April arrives it will be fairly clear sailing into the warm sunny days of spring.

    I adore the painting of the path in the woods.

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  7. Ah Spring. What a sight Edward must have been in the sunlight with the wind in his fur. Pure bliss.

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  8. It may be silly but i am so looking forward to spring cleaning:)))Give a big cuddle from me to Edward..Soon you will be walking in spring..

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  9. Never have I been so aware as the longing of spring from so many here in blogland! I love the way you share your feelings about things, Pamela. The sky, combined with the green on that painting is just gorgeous -it inspires me.

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  10. I think we can all smell spring just around the corner, even if it's just a faint whiff. Happy dog, happy us :)

    Kim x

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  11. Alas no truer words be spoken. To observe the migrating snow and tundra geese flying above in the pattern perfected over centuries. And the loud, high pitched shrill of the grackles has returned to the garden...all there set before us to notice.
    Edward is a wise dog for by laying on the ground he may catch the gentle whisper of the forest faeries that those who stand tall would never hear.
    xo Susan

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  12. Some in the northeast say- 'winter's back has broken'- and it has. Although there is still plenty of snow- the air is different, the light is brighter and now the days a bit longer. Lovely post- Edward is a happy boy!

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  13. Pamela........it is so close
    Dear Edward can smell it !!

    Carol

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  14. Few things are as enjoyable as watchng a dog potter and poofl their wayon a walk- unhurried and interested in what is around them. Just experiencing the moment- no thought about going home or eating their next meal. I think we could learn a lesson or 2 from them. :-)

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  15. I can picture Edward enjoying the early signs of Spring, and I imagine he was very happy indeed!

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  16. "To spend a quiet extra hour in the perfection that is Nature." ....yes!

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  17. I thought you might like to see something absolutely gorgeous.

    http://une-petite-folie.blogspot.com/

    Parisian architecture with elegant interior design in a 1:12 scale dollhouse miniature. It is a work in progress, but oh the progress.

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  18. What a gorgeous picture you've posted. I confess I did not read the post - I spent all my time dreaming with this picture and forgot about the text portion. I need to go back and read, if I can get past that lovely picture.

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  19. Today in Oregon it snowed, rained, blew, and the sun came out: spring is a Drama Queen. I have been taking pics of a narcissus for two weeks as it comes into bloom, slowly, slowly. Still not really blooming!

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  20. halcyon moments - I have actually name a painting that very thing - it congers the most crystal clear moments....

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  21. Hello Pamela!
    You won the blog giveaway over at mine, so please email me with your postal details. You'll find my email over at my website.
    x

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  22. Blessings my lovely one.
    Enchanted once again.
    Keep the magic flowing

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  23. i got all excited last week as the weather was quite warm, i thought spring is here! but no, this week is cold, windy & grey :(

    hope the weather is better for you,xx

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  24. Hello P&E,

    I love the chartreuse velvet moss and the leprechaun seas!

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  25. Yes to Spring - we just recieved 5 more inches of snow - sigh. I love your blog - wht fun and a feast for the eyes! I just love this picture!! Thank you for popping by my blog! Sarah
    BTW I love Edward!!

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  26. "Halcyon" was on my sons spelling list just last night and here it is again today. Yes, cause to pay close attention.
    pve

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  27. March is such a tease for me...a beautiful post - as usual...

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  28. Ahhh....it sound so utterly peaceful

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  29. I love the idea of the old forest fairly crackling with the expectation of Spring. It is so special just to stand still in woods and listen.

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  30. Spring is flirtatiously teasing us a little here in NYC. Just showing us a little of her petticoat and then dropping her grey skirt down again. Soon ...soon

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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!