On an Evening Walk - Survival by the Sidewalk

I’m not certain if this is Gertrude or George. One of them has been sitting on this very scrawny nest by a scrawnier bush, for about three weeks between sidewalk and parking lot. It is said that geese sit on their eggs for 25 to 28 days. I’ve passed it by for at least three weeks. It is also said that the gander stands guard for his mate and can be as far as 100 metres away. He will approach if the goose leaves the nest or if she is threatened. 

Over the past three weeks, I have been concerned about Gertrude’s (or George’s) well being, but walking this evening I realized that she (or he) was quite safe as it is a well lit area, with many vehicles passing by, coming to or going from the businesses in the small mall. 

Tonight was the first time that my presence was noted. As I approached, I was the recipient of ‘a look’. Her (or his) head swivelled on an elegant, graceful neck, following me as I passed by. Respectfully, I turned away, her (or his) head was tucked back under a wing and Gertrude (or George) settled once more.

I’ll be checking on them and will post any new findings.

“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but rather the one most adaptable to change.”

~ Clarence Darrow

My Garden Plots - Potted Pansies

When garden plots are far away,

pots filled with soil are best to grow

purple pansies rimmed in white, 

tiny yellow centres all aglow ~

cheerful greetings at the door

sweet faces upturn to say hello.

“There are always flowers for those who want to see them.”

~ Henry Matisse

My Garden Plots - Hens and Chicks

Only a humble beginning ~

neither flower nor food

my hens and chicks

braved hot and dry ~

today ~ wet and cold,

but to my eye

they are perfection.

“Gardens are not made by singing 

‘Oh, how beautiful!’ and sitting in the shade.”

~ Rudyard Kipling, Complete Verse

Chapter Two, Episode Thirty-four - Sun Warmed - Situationally Theirs

Review, Revision, Edit and Update

I didn't find this to be a terribly interesting episode. The ending was particularly weak. Jeremy's thought about helping Emelina just kind of popped out of nowhere. Consequently my revision is a filling of that huge gap. The last paragraph was given much more definition. 

Besides that revision, I did improve sentence structure in one or two places earlier in the episode.

Sun Warmed

In the back of her mind stirred a desire to do something for the staff. What that may be, Emelina did not know what it could be. Up early, she slipped quietly out of bed to let her husband sleep. She and Jeremy had spent a very relaxing weekend, but she could tell he was still in need of extra rest. An unspoken rule, they had not spoken of hospitals, Covid or the running of the estate. Cook had already come in and sent up coffee and fresh scones. A lovely morning, Emelina pulled on a sweater over her pyjamas and took her mug of coffee out to the porch. The scones could wait until Jeremy was up. 

Musing quietly to no one in particular, Emelina said “There has to be something we can do. Just this cup of coffee reminds me of how cared for I am - and anyone that comes here. But I’m not going to talk to Jeremy about this after all. He doesn’t need my worries on top of everything else.” Shivering, she took a sip of her rapidly cooling coffee. She turned at the sound of the door opening. “Em….you’re up early. Why didn’t you wake me? Come back in the house.” Jeremy, his hair tousled from sleep, was at the door in his bare feet and pyjamas. “Sweetheart! You’re up! Go get yourself some coffee and there’s fresh scones, butter and jelly. I’ll be right in.”

~~~~~

It started out as a lazy morning, but Jeremy was restless and hungry. The scones vanished quickly, he looked for more to eat and was still unsure about how to get more food. The rattle of the dumbwaiter, along with the aroma of bacon, eggs and fresh toast saved the day. With a sigh of relief, he got out plates and cutlery, calling to Emelina “Breakfast’s here, Em and I’m not going to wait for you.” She had come in from the porch and went straight to the shower. “I’m just getting dressed - make sure you leave some for me!” 

~~~~~

Breakfast finished, plates scraped clean, they put everything back in the dumbwaiter. “Let’s go walking again, Em. You didn’t get me out to the garden yesterday. Do you think Samuel is in yet?” Em was pleased and almost amused. She didn’t remember him ever being concerned about the garden before, but decided to follow his lead. “He should be. Samuel’s usually at work before Cook is even here. I'm sure he gets up with the birds. By the time we get out there, he’ll be ready for a break - not that he ever wants one.” Still cool and a bit misty, they put their jackets and matching Tilley hats on, setting out to the garden. “The orchard is really quite beautiful, Em! Look how the trees are blooming.” Jeremy stopped suddenly and looked around, his voice quavering. “It has been so good to be out and away. Let’s keep going before I start being foolish.” Em put her arm through his “You’re not being foolish, Jer. And it’s wonderful that we can be out here together.” She looked up and pointed. “There’s Samuel over by the fence. Working away at something.” 

The morning slipped by quickly, Jeremy completely involved talking with Samuel about the garden. To his credit, he did try to maintain the correct distance from Samuel. At least outside they didn’t need masks. The two men walked the rows, Samuel talking about what he’d planted, what had come up, how he’d be stringing up the red runner beans, bending over every now and then to pull a weed, or prop up a new shoot with the side of his well worn boot. Em had started out with them but soon just left them be. On her cell, she called up to the kitchen to ask Cook for a coffee break basket for the three of them. By the time Emelina walked up to the back porch, the basket was there - a thermos of coffee, one of tea as well as fresh baking and a couple of hearty ham sandwiches. Returning to the garden with her delicious cargo, she called out to them. “Gentlemen. Time for a break!” Engrossed as they were, they didn’t hear her. A little louder she called again. “Gentlemen! Break time!” They both stopped short. “Miss Em! No one’s called me a gentleman for a long time - maybe never. Sure is good to hear. Let me take that heavy basket from you.” 

~~~~~

Sitting by the shed in old chairs always waiting for company, they were warmed by the mid morning sun. With good food, warm drink and the sound of gulls crying in the distance Jeremy was relaxed and grateful. He glanced at his wife. She and Samuel were laughing and chatting comfortably. He had seen her with the others in her employ, just as comfortable and pleasant. Sitting back in his chair he wondered whether he could help Emelina somehow? 

“After all, the best part of a holiday is perhaps not so much 

to be resting yourself, as to see all the other fellows busy working.”

~ Kenneth Grahame, Wind in the Willows

On a Morning Walk - Water Play

The sound of rushing water 

drew me down a set of metal stairs 

blocked when passed 

earlier in the spring.

  

  It was delightful! 

Not a graceful fountain, 

a cascading water fall nor 

rippling water over slippery rocks but 

a playful metal worked structure featuring 

a salamander at the mouth, 

squirrels atop a metal wave and 

fish flipping below ~

water cascading from the side of the long ‘creature’.

Delicate new greenery added to my delight.

A quick click of my camera and I

resumed my morning walk.

“Delight is indeed born in the heart. 

It sometimes also depends on its surroundings.”

~ Amy I. Reichert, The Coincidence of Coconut Cake

Life Goes On

Little faces turn to the sun

drawing its strength 

into the heart of seed ~

until delicate leaves throw shade and

dainty flowers drift softly to ground.

“Where flowers bloom so does hope.”

~ Lady Bird Johnson

On a Morning Walk - Safe Passage

Safe Passage

The story goes like this: One day, very early in the morning, a set of feathered parents were taking their fluffy yellow little ones on a stroll across a busy street. It had to be a stroll because the little ones had little short legs and couldn’t keep up with their long legged parents. Two vehicles had stopped allowing the little family safe passage. Halfway across, the parents stopped to see that all seven goslings were coming along. Two of the seven still stood on the curb nervous about the dangers they were about to face. Another vehicle, all shiny and white did not stop, but honked louder than both their parents together. Goose and Gander looked rather offended, as only geese can do, then turned and firmly herded their little family back the way they came. All of us on the sidewalk and in the vehicles breathed a sigh of relief. The goslings trundled across the street, joining their sibling on the curb and down to the water’s edge. Leaving all humans behind, the little family, Goose, Gander and goslings alike, walked into the lake and swam away into the morning sun.

“Life is like a story, when all the resolution is resolved, 

you heave a sigh of relief.”

~ Michael Bassey Johnson