Human Resources

The sun had finally wrestled the rain, a sort of ha-ha jest of farewell but please come back. I could feel the hot release of this morning’s dew as the plants exhlaed into green. I blinked and shaded my eyes for a moment and kept moving. 

It was the last morning of our semi-annual “Escape the Bullfights” week in the country and we were walking, following a dirt track that might date back one thousand years or more. Kipling was far out ahead followed by Remi, then Ben trotting with his nose to the ground, then me. The usual family order.
Far along the path, so far as to have long ago stopped thinking of the packing up and the imminent return I was not yet ready for, we came upon an abandoned orchard – ancient, wizened and peaked. Spirals of bark lay in the grass exposing the trunks gone grey. I called out to Remi, “Do you think that  it is really hopeless? Nothing could be done to save them?” “Oh no, they are dead. Look,” he responded. And yet, further on, in the midst of such bleakness, one tree, one, had branches that were somehow still alive. Tiny rock-hard cherries dropped down from the leaves and swung trapeze-like in the breeze. 
Today, back at my desk with headphones in my ears to block out the street noise, I am keeping the tree forefront in my mind. That, plus the symphony of birdsong that I rose to each morning. How they did sing! Both are forms of life pushing through with beauty. Unfortunately, my little iphone can’t begin to capture the breadth and depth of sound nor the Cuckoo that kicked in just as I hit “stop.” Such a wealth of human resources, isn’t it? Human resourcing? I am well aware and grateful.

I had a really wonderful time – one ‘quasiment sans internet’, which was a good reprieve. Thank you for still being here and have a lovely weekend…

17 comments

  3. Thank you for sharing this departure, what a wonderful setting and wonderful songs. It's been such a welcome surprise to hear the birds each morning lately.

  5. I, too, keep wondering why we humans spend our lives fussing with trivialities when the things we really need are there for us to have, for free.

  6. Lovely to have this breath of fresh country air and song to greet me today. Your usual family walking order made me smile. Were you always the child who dawdled at the back of the line? 😉

  7. Fresh from the woods .Mind is clear from clutter but with "the symphony of birdsong."
    Have a wonderful weekend.

  8. You see, the dogs make it so much more wonderful don't they? I took mine to the groomer this morning and I already miss them! Our Spring is in full bloom, the verdant green is spilling over the roads, flowers have burst forth for everyone to enjoy. As you know, in Texas Spring fades away rather quickly into the LONG HOT SUMMER, where even the flowers have to be in the shade. And, the dogs. And me too. Those with pools don't even use them because it's just to hot. When are you and Remi coming to visit me? xx's

  9. Yes, I love this simple, sweet post! It is easy to see, through the pictures and video, how you could relax there so thoroughly! Ahhhhhh!!! I hope the city noises aren't bumming you out too much, but maybe you won't have to put up with them forever? Me, either! : )

  11. Heather, the birds have begun to wake up here as well! I recently tried to record the sound of the spring peepers here in our back yard, but too much background noise to do them justice. So it must have been very peaceful where you were. Thanks so much for taking us along. …. And if you go to your Instagram you will see that you have a new follower (judithaross). After a washing machine fiasco with my last iPhone, I had to wait nearly a year to replace it. Hoo-rah!

  12. An abandonned orchard, that's always a bit sad. I just gave up growing fruit and vegetables on my little balcony. There is just not enough sun. I remember my grandfahters orchard when I was a child. La recolte des cérises pendant l'éte etait toujours magnifique. But also hard work.

    I would love to find myself on that endless track on the first image now! Thank you for putting us there!

  13. Just lovely, Heather. I can hear your birds singing over the clatter in our back yard as our new patio is installed! So wonderful to have you back, but I'm glad you got to wander out of internet range for a few days. Renewal is so essential. Take care of yourself now that you've returned to the noise, too! XOXO

  15. I love that you have such a deep appreciation of Benness. He is worthy of it, of that I promise.

  16. You have such a beautiful way of transporting us to where ever you are!

  17. I love the way Ben reads the landscape, and then lifts his nose up when the bird sings.
    Thank you for posting

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