A Thank you to a fellow blogger

I was just easing myself to full consciousness this morning by playing my weekly catch up after ‘the grind’ on blogs that I follow only to receive a metaphorical kick up the backside. I had just clicked onto one of my firm favourites at ‘Wandering Owl Outside’ with the usual expectation of having before me an excellent post coupled with Owl’s superb pictures.  Disappointed? Not a snowballs chance in hell, once again Owl had put together another fine piece which I thoroughly enjoyed, the man has heart and soul when it comes to expressing his love of the outdoors. I moved on to others but there was something there, something not quite right. Just a feeling that something was amiss, you know that itch you can’t quite pinpoint. I returned to Owl’s post and reread it a couple of times, yes I fully understood from where he was coming but why the feeling of, well of melancholy really? I turned in my chair with the intention of making a brew and there was the answer, eyes boring into my own.

You see I’ve been neglecting my duties towards the bog monster a little lately. Remember my posting a while ago about her being unwell, well to honest I’ve not been convinced that the old girl has made a full recovery, she’s been lethargic, a tad miserable and to be honest a little aggressive with some of the local dogs, not a biting rabid aggression just a grumbling keep well away from me aggression, not like Lucy at all. The net result has been the walks restricted to on the leash ambles around suburbia and me not bothering to hit the trails. I could give you plenty of reasons for this; parents older and more frail, ‘the grind’ really grinding (oh if you really knew) and mush too much spinning around in my pea brain. I realised, through Owl’s words, that the one thing that I’d put to one side was the damn thing that we both needed – ‘out there’.

I still paused to make and drink me brew (I really cannot function without at least a gallon of the stuff first thing) and then we were off, shorts n sandals on (scary image I know so I’ll save you the horror of a picture) ZZ top’s “just got paid today” on repeat at a rather high decibel setting in the fun cruiser and old smelly in her usual position of head on the back seat gazing intently at the road ahead.

I didn’t take Owl’s course and hit a new trail, I still held some concern about how Lucy would cope, so familiar and steady was the order of the day.  I kept the pace toned down a little, one because of Lucy but secondly to let us both absorb the impact of just being ‘out there’ once more. As we ambled along I realised that I may well have been overprotective with the little mite as she started to stretch her limbs at full bore down the trails, she may well be getting on a bit but she’s like a bat out of hell when she’s at full tilt, I found myself smiling, not inside but one of those Johnny Cash shit eating smiles. All the burdens and cares that have been starting to weigh heavy upon me lately were being scorched away by Lucy’s antics, the sun and the light breezes that caressed my face.

As we meandered further along the path that I’d picked, deliberately heading for open glades and of course fuller ditches, I was struck by the variety of flowers that had burst out since our last visit, I hope that the pictures give some idea as to the vibrant colours on show in the forest.

With the sun climbing higher and the temperature rising swiftly we turned tail and headed back to the fun cruiser. Mother Nature had wound her spell on us both once more and to quote Owl; “and the fresh air has really helped my attitude. So yes, I’ll get some fishing done and post it here, sometime…But right now, I’m thinking of hitting some new trails. The exploring has created some sparks”. All I can add to his words is thank you Owl for putting me back on track.

The road goes ever on and on

Down from the door where it began.

Now far ahead the Road has gone,

And I must follow, if I can,

Pursuing it with weary feet,

Until it joins some larger way,

Where many paths and errands meet.

And whither then? I cannot say.

—From The Fellowship Of The Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien

(Ok Owl so I pinched your idea, but hey Mr. Tolkien did have a way with words.). And as for Lucy? well I guess you could say that normal service has well and truly been resumed.

Thanks for taking the time to read all the way to the bottom,

Your friend,

John