Sweet Summer Mornings
HOME– As a teenager, I’d wake up before sunrise and walk out on the porch to the stillness of a wide, platinum-gray lake, laid out before me like a deep, dark mirror– quietly, reverently, waiting to reflect the sun. In one corner of the sky, the clouds would begin to blush like the fuzzy cheeks of summer peaches. Then the day would stand up, stretch, and step over the trees. Immediately, the gray, still water would start to twinkle with stars of sparkling sapphires and yellow and white diamonds. Watching this awakening, you could feel all the possibilities of life warm your shoulders and you were ready for whatever would come next. Like breakfast.
Today, I wake up to a peaceful, sleepy street, whose dew-kissed lawns and draping oak arms, coax me out onto cooled, old concrete. Or, perhaps it’s Mazy doing the coaxing. Nonetheless, the experience of an early urban summer morning, without the grandeur of a lake sunrise over a mile-long horizon, is still worth the effort. The peace and quiet are still here– every sweet, humid Southern morning. And getting out for an early walk is nothing less than ceremony.
Mazy is a good companion. Today, we wandered the streets of nearby Wales Garden, hoping to get a call from Rich (leaving on his daily Charlotte trek), who indeed met us and handed me a paper cup of piping-hot coffee. Half-way through our walk, Mazy took a dip in an old horse fountain. Nearing home, we had grown into giants. And as the sun climbed over the rooftops, we were well on our way… to breakfast, of course.
June 11th, 2010 at 11:23 am
Kim, as usual, your writing paints a vivid picture in my mind. I find myself wishing I had the strength to drag my weary bones out of bed early in the morning. Oh wait! These days, I do just that for turtle patrol, heading for the beach & and early morning sunrise over the waves. Though my brain fights me each & every morning, by the time I have brushed my teeth and had my cup of tea, I am ready – no, excited! – to face the dawn and the endless possibilities of the day.
SOOOOOOO glad you are back & gracing my days with your words & photos. Hug Mazy for me!
June 11th, 2010 at 11:47 am
How do you do that? How do you get in my head and see what I’m thinking and put it into beautiful words that make me sigh? How? I’m printing this one out. It’s a keeper. Enjoy your weekend my friend.
June 11th, 2010 at 12:19 pm
I love to go for walks in the morning. Especially when the conditions are just right.
Now I wish I had a dog.
June 11th, 2010 at 1:13 pm
Absolutely beautiful. And I adore that shadow picture.
June 11th, 2010 at 7:03 pm
Today is the first day of summer vacation here in Florida. This morning the husband and I were able to resume our early morning walk on the beach. I am a self professed NON-morning person, but these lazy days of summer, getting up early and walking on the beach as the sun rises is just to beautiful not to participate in. Tomorrow we will take Bella, our Dobie who is learning the art of beach walking.
June 12th, 2010 at 2:09 am
Love how well you write.
Have a wonderful weekend!
June 12th, 2010 at 8:37 am
Mazy is getting so big! I say this as an owner of a very large Golden Retriever, who started out as the runt in his litter. We fell in love with the tiny puppy with the big goofy grin. I think he was laughing to himself because he knew the surprise he had in store for us. Now he’s close to 90 pounds. The goofy grin is still there . . . its just gotten . . . bigger.
There is nothing better than a walk in the morning to get your blood pumping and to open your heart to all the wonderful possibilities the day might bring. Its nice to have you back.
June 18th, 2010 at 8:11 am
It’s been a while since I have visited. Mazy was a pup! I guess she still is a pup technically, but she’s grown into such a lovely young lady! But dog love aside. I’d forgotten what a very emotionally astute writer you are. It was a nice way to start the day. GREG
June 20th, 2010 at 11:58 am
I love the way you were able to relive an old memory while capturing a new one with your Mazy. It’s a beautiful moment.