Saturday, December 14, 2019

BLEAK DECEMBER

This final month is passing quickly - breathless days tumbling towards the end of a frantic year.

I'm now a year older, feeling a thousand years older, feeling completely exhausted to the ultimate point of no return. The unexpected pitfalls of life have a way of doing that. I'm used to them, of course, but they become more brutally incessant and draining with the passing of time.

Is this too depressing? I'm a hardcore realist seasoned with the morbid shadow of poetic flair. I've chased enough illusive rainbows to finally realize that they don't exist. Think what you like.

No rainbows in sight today, but my shredded nerves were slightly calmed by a brief walk in my back yard - shortly before the predicted rain arrived. 

No ice today, no bitter cold weather like there was last week, but a penetrating dampness that chills the soul and withers the heart like the echo of death's kiss.

My camera batteries are dying....but they valiantly lasted during my trek in the woods.
The photos capture the essence of my environment but give no indication of the damp chill, the perilous mud and slippery moss, the persistent stickers that take up residence in my clothes, and the abundant thorns that delight in piercing my flesh.

 December dawn, as seen from the back porch

....and the group of tall bleak trees that I love, which are near the back porch.

I took this photo from my bedroom window about a week ago - when the morning sun illuminated the neighboring mountain. This mountain is only visible during the winter months - when the trees are bare.

Another view of the mountain during my walk today.

 A few distant evergreens in my "yard", which occasionally pique my imagination and make me think I'm in the Alps.

Tall, bare tree
(much taller in real than it appears here)

Meanwhile, in the forest, some lazy autumn leaves still cling to the trees.

My house (or shack) is just to the left of this photo (a tiny fraction of the back porch is almost visible).

The unnerving sound of nearby hunter's rifles encouraged me to cut the walk short and go inside. No matter, since my back and knee were hurting like hell.

Thank you for accompanying me on my walk.



12 comments:

  1. I'm glad you were well enough to take a walk, despite the dampness. It's always good to get some fresh air. I like the last few photos where you can see a hint of blue skies.

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    1. Walks in the forest always invigorate me. Yesterday when I took the photos everything looked wintery. The glimpses of blue sky between the clouds was really dramatic. I'm hoping we get some snow....

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  2. I enjoyed walking with you in your woods.... leastways that's how it felt as I read. You definitely have a poetic streak in you, Jon, and I hope you will encourage it.

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    1. I'm glad you enjoyed our walk, Valerie. The beauty of nature brings out the poet in me. It soothes my troubled soul...

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  3. It is beautiful there. I love the tall trees and the fact you can see the mountain in the winter. Rifle shots would send me indoors, too. ;)

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    1. Gunfire is very common around here during hunting season. Often it's far away, but sometimes it's much too close for comfort. I always head for the house when I hear it.

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  4. And thank YOU for taking us along! As ever, your words leave me in awe.
    PS - Do you have a bright orange vest to put on while outdoors … something with strobe lights, perchance?

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    1. Myra, thanks for always appreciating my poetic soul.
      Wearing a bright orange vest is a good idea - - I always head for home when I hear gunfire. It's even more scary since I presently don't have a cell phone. Hopefully I'll eventually find one that can get a signal way out here...

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  5. I love my walks in the woods. Missed it yesterday because I was cooking for a Christmas dinner with our club, and today because it's been snowing all day. We have about 5 inches now, and we are expecting more later.

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    1. I'd love to have some snow this time of year, but our weather has warmed up. It's been in the 40's lately, with rain.

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  6. loved your december dawn. and all the pics of the forest. nothing like breathing in fresh air on a cold winter morning as you briskly walk through the trees. only thing missing is snow. i would happily send you some of mine. got 3 inches yesterday and expecting 3 to 5 more inches tonight. i'm cuddling up with the cats, a cup of tea and a warm blanket. i'd say Baby It's Cold Outside, but that wouldn't be politically correct, would it? stay warm Jon and Happy Belated Birthday.

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    1. The December dawn is my favorite of these photos. Yesterday it was near 60 degrees and today it's only 30 with flurries predicted. I'm presently snuggled in bed with my laptop and two cats.
      P.S. I love people who aren't politically correct!!!

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