It's about 5.45pm and I'm having my first glass of wine of the day beneath the shade of my flowering Quince tree.
It's warm, but slightly overcast, and I've put-in a full day's work. I'm really quite tired, and my back is giving me jip.
The sun is shining, Bok is relaxing, and Richard is pecking at a few laying pellets that I've thrown down for her in the grass.
It's reasonably quiet, but I can hear someone mowing in the distance to the right, and some distant chainsawing to the left. I can also hear a pair of cuckoos calling to each other across the valley.
In my own terms it's an almost perfect evening. I've already prepared tonight's supper (couscous with a chicken tagine) so I can relax with impunity.
A strange thought goes through my mind; if it was all to end NOW, I really wouldn't mind. This is probably as good as it gets, and I could greet the soil that awaits me with true contentment.
Tomorrow I shall feel differently (I know). More work, more backache, more evenings spent beneath the shade of the flower-covered Quince, more thoughts about immortality .
So cheers; I shall drink to our collective health and longevity. May days like this continue to greet us all. Take life in short bursts.
Well said Cro. I agree with that thought...little moments of contentment and being thankful...we all need to relish those.
ReplyDeleteAn ideal end to the day. My day, the first summery day of the year, was basically spent in a similar way, it was pushing an environmentally old fashioned mower up and down a steep hill (no need for any fitness club membership), cutting ivy, carrying sacks to the bio, filling a hole with earth etc., and then a spritzer and a limoncello and look in my zen guide before bed and a lovely sleep completely unaware that only 20 kms away a violent storm was raging and the rescue services were working flat out.
ReplyDeleteLying in bed to the sound of a raging storm is one of my greatest pleasures..... and you missed it.
DeleteMy house was creaking like a sailing ship in the gales last night. Lovel
DeleteSounds idyllic Cro - if it had been here you would have been blown off your chair and the quince tree would have no blossom left on it - enjoy your simple moments.
ReplyDeleteThere is a poet in you.
ReplyDeleteGreat, someone mowing to the left and chainsawing to the right, sounds like a Sunday afternoon in England, and a Monday evening, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday but never Saturdays, that's shopping day.
ReplyDeleteI could only just hear it; it was probably several K's away.
Deletea beautiful evening.
ReplyDeletehad you heard that the cuckoos that migrate via Spain are in decline...those that go via Italy seem ok at the moment
No shortage here, we have several pairs.
DeleteLovely, restful post Cro (sorry about the back). I find it a no go area to start thinking a day is so perfect that I wouldn't mind if it ended then - I am far too near the age when it is a real possibility to think like that. I have to keep going aches and pains and all. I fancy a drop from that wine bottle though.
ReplyDeleteIt really is an amazing threshold we cross when we realize we are satisfied with the life we have lived. The itch to do so much more has been soothed and the contentment of this day,this joy is enough! Sore backs make you slow down and contemplate.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a little slice of heaven.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favourite times of the day. Glass of wine, martini or cold beer before supper. Sit, relax and take in our beautiful surroundings and chat about the day. Salut!
ReplyDeleteHow lovely to have that time of peaceful reflection at the end of a busy day. How wonderful to feel so content and at peace with yourself. Moments to treasure. X
ReplyDeleteChin chin
ReplyDeleteI always wondered why old(er) people clung onto growing even older and then I too was having a wonderful relaxed moment when I wondered if it all ended then I would be okay with that. I immediately went into a panic and thought "Not yet! I'm not ready - still much to do "
ReplyDeletePathetic I know.
Raising a glass of homemade red to you.
You live in such an idyllic place Cro …… A beautiful view, a glass of wine, dinner prepared, a days work behind you and all's well with the world. Life's simple pleasures are the best. XXXX
ReplyDeleteLife is a joy, but please don’t leave it yet as we all need to see that old barn in completion.
ReplyDeleteA friend of mine had a house in Castillones which cannot be too far from you if the clues are correct. By the way were you using May as an adjective or a verb, given the month I thought it a very clever play on words. I am about to bail out of an unpleasent job and decamp to the country so I am following your blog with intent.
ReplyDeleteMay/May... thank you, I hadn't noticed that myself. It was as verb. Good luck with your project, I look forward to reading all about it.
DeleteJust lovely. These are the moments that make it all worthwhile...and sharing them is a bonus. Thank you.!
ReplyDelete