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In the course of an average day, any number of influences may affect one’s mood.
Maybe weather is the most common?
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A day or two ago, I indulged in a whinge about the noises of summer.
Even at a considerable distance, the pulsing whine of a weed-whacker or lawn mower grinds my nerves.
But there are other summer sounds that I enjoy.
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The drone of a bee in the spirea, the never-ending chatter of birds. I like to think they are exchanging tales of their winter sojourn and their journeys from southern parts.
The grumble of an approaching storm at the end of a hot day, followed by the hammering rush of heavy rain which clears the air and petrichor.
It could easily be my favourite scent, the smell of rain.
Which brings me to a short but quite lovely and beautifully descriptive piece of music that I came upon recently.
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Petrichor Is not precisely the smell of rain but the smell of dampened earth, I think. Other components too, but it is the clean earthy smell I love.
Today, there have so far been no obnoxious noises and I went outside to refresh my memory of other enjoyable summer sensations.
Immediately my eyes went to the leaves of the cherry plum, a colour so unlikely, I wondered if it was possible to capture.
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The dull, deep red leaves light up on a sunny day, as if a switch has been thrown.
The bush comes alive.
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You have to catch it at the right moment.
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Fresh green shrubbery lights up too.
I noticed the tendril of a vine already weaving its way into the bushes.
These things need to be dealt with promptly and I considered doing so, but to get at it involves a romp through long grass and exposing myself to ticks.
So I decided it was an un-needed distraction.
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Anytime my mood is lagging, it can be rescued by any number of faces looking through a window or glass door.
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This poor battered waif of a raccoon began visiting recently. Like Scooter and other wild animals we’ve seen, she carries evidence of trauma to her back.
Thankfully, the raccoon is not disabled.
She seemed more wary of Lily looking through the glass than she was of me.
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Joy can be summoned by the mere evidence of a wild animal’s being.
After writing about Scooter yesterday I went outside and found her track marks in the driveway.
Delighted, I went to tell Grant who thought I might have seen something else:
” I’ve been using the wheelbarrow.”
“I know, I know. Look!”
Big smile. The track had not been there in the morning. I just need to glance out at the right moment!
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The Conveyor of Good Moods.
That little smile of hers is contagious.
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Indeed, the wheelbarrow is not a wild animal… 🙂
Grant thought I had seen tracks from the wheelbarrow, but Scooter’s track is unique.
It’s quite magical when leaves are lit up by the sun so dramatically!
Thank you, Carolyn, for lifting my mood with your music, the little faces, and the summer pictures!
Joanna
I listened to the beautiful music you shared here as I watched the soft rain decorating our bushes outside … it was such a wonderful and peaceful moment (very fitting). And then it was also great to look at your lovely flowers and those bright cherry plum leaves … the perfect post after the rush of a Monday that put a smile on my face.
Love your animal shots!