Sunday, December 27, 2009

Sunday Stroll - Once More With Feeling


Maude and I headed out into the brisk afternoon for one last stroll of the year. The cold wind tugged at our hair, and a bittersweet ache tugged at my heart because I know that Maude doesn't have many more strolls to take through these gardens with me.

Here, at the trail head of the butterfly garden, is a quiet place to sit and think... But Maude and I kept moving down the snow-covered trail, between the bent and broken stalks and the flower heads clinging to a few last seeds.


We walked past the quiet pond, where cattails with their brown velvet crowns rise above a thin layer of snow-dusted ice. My heart lifted with the tiny bit of "frisk" in Maude's gait.

We trudged through the deep rectangular impression left by 13 years of tending a vegetable garden in the same place. The herb gardens are caught in drifts, with stalks rising above the snow here and there. Most of the plants look like this white and withered Bell of Ireland...
but we found one tiny yellow lettuce blossom blooming amid surprisingly fresh, green leaves.

Maude crossed the road and wandered through the barren hay field, nibbling snow and sniffing the December wind.

The wind pushed us toward home. The front garden, a mass of untrimmed stalks, frames the hills, fields, and the lake where Maude has run and played for most of her years.


Looking back over my shoulder at those familiar hills, I walk back to the house with Maude at my heels and together we move into the warmth and comfort of our home.

Where ever you are, whatever the weather, I wish you good company.
To share the strolls of other bloggers, please scroll down to my previous post where links are provided.
all photos by Aisling, December 27, 2009

23 comments:

Farmer's Daughter said...

What a nice stroll to share with Maude. Our weather was comparably balmy today! My stroll is up!

Marcie said...

I'm off to see your stroll. Balmy sounds good to me about now! :)

Pom Pom said...

Oh, Maude. She's a lovely friend, isn't she? YOU are a cutie pie! I took a stroll, too. I crunched through all the ice, down to the market and had a hot coffee. I am afraid the best photo I took is one of a snow princess! I'll post it later! Happy! Happy! We are both surrounded by ice!

Marcie said...

Pom Pom, Yes, Maude is a dear sweet friend! And thank you for your kind comment about me, though that is an odd photo taken with my arm raised above the two of us as we knelt on the deck. lol. I wish you the happiest day!

Cloudhands said...

This seems to be the place to check in today. I have strolled my last stroll of the year. That gives me a year of Sunday strolling.
You stroll today was sweet and a bit of a heart tug for the wildly effervescent puppy Miss Maude of my acquaintance.

Marcie said...

Mom, I'm glad you've strolled along this year! I'm off to add you to the list, and to take a walk with you. :)

Everydaywoman said...

What a lovely pic of you two! Just LOVE the black and white!

You just might be surprised by Maude. We have a very old, "Old English Sheepdog," and I keep thinking the same of him, but each day he surprises us again! Today he took a bit longer walk with my husband and me, and I know it was good for all of us!

I'm envious of your snow. I just love the icy whiteness of your banner photo!

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU AND YOURS!

Marcie said...

Ruth, I liked the black and white too. It said "for old times sake" to me.

I wish I could believe you about Maude, but she is 7 months past the outside parameter of her life expectancy and experiencing some pretty serious conditions. I was just thrilled to have her walk with me today.

The snow is pretty. It slows us all down a bit. We have a winter weather advisory through mid-day tomorrow. I'm glad my plans are to be at home, organizing and cleaning. :)

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

Aisling, I strolled along beside you and it was "cold". As the years increase - I do not like cold weather. But even though it was cold - you warmed my heart.
I love the picture of you and Maude. Now I can put a face to your kind comments.

Marcie said...

Ernestine, I'm so glad you came by. Isn't it nice to be able to enjoy a little bit of the winter weather without having to feel the cold? :)

I have shown my face on here before, but only rarely. Thank you for the nice comment!

Sharon Lovejoy said...

Gulp, I got tears in my eyes as I watched Maude and you tromping through the snow. Reminds me so much of my much missed Una girl, who was by my side for almost 16 years. I haven't gotten over her loss yet and it has been years now.

I loved going on the walk with you dear friend.

Sharon

Marcie said...

Sharon,

Thank you for letting me know you enjoyed walking with me and Maude. I'll bet Una was walking along too, in spirit. I think something of our special pets lingers with us, in memory and in heart, for all of our days.

Anonymous said...

I love your snowy pictures; so different from the scorching heat here.

May you and your loved ones have a wonderful year in 2010.

Kate xxx

Marcie said...

Kate, You are right. The scene outside my window and yours right now is so very different! I loved your colorful holiday pics.

Thank you for the good wishes and for visiting. Best to you and yours!

Michele said...

such a lovely, wintery stroll, Aisling! xoxox

Marcie said...

Rapunzel,

Thanks. Looks a little different in your neck of the woods doesn't it? :D

Thank you for visiting, dear friend!

Brenda Pruitt said...

Your words are just beautiful. Prose.
Brenda

Marcie said...

Brenda, Thank you for that kind comment. What a nice thing to read just before I shut the computer down for the night.

Jessica said...

Catching up on blogs & stopping by to wish you much peace in the new year!

Happy 2010, dear friend!!

asouthernsunset said...

Aisling, I love this beautiful picture of you and your precious Maude. When our older sugahbears journey onward, they never leave our hearts, do they. God willing, may she have many more comfortable days with you, and when she is granted her wings, may it be peaceful and beautiful.
Hugs and blessings.
Yaya

Marcie said...

Jessica, Thank you for visiting! I wish you a Healthy, Bright and Happy New Year!

YaYa, Thank you! You are so right; Miss Maudie will never leave our hearts. She has hardly been up to walking with me lately, so this walk last Sunday was a gift and pleasure. Thank you for taking the time to let me know you stopped by to visit!

L'Adelaide said...

dear aisling, i wanted to wish you a blessed new year and many more with your dear maud...i know how you feel as my belle is one day no longer going to be so eager to go with me, not that i do much these days...these were lovely photos and the bells especially caught me as i love that papery texture that some plants get in winter, like hydrangeas...the black and whites are gorgeous, your snow looks pristine!

be well♥

Marcie said...

Linda,
Thank you for the new year's wishes... and I wish the best for your in the year ahead!

I love it when you comment. Your comments are chatty and friendly, like a mini-letter. Reading this is a bright spot in my day, for sure!