Drifting and dipping

18th April 2025. Carter’s Pond

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A call from the veterinary clinic yesterday advised that medication will not be a help to Lily.

Her right kidney never developed properly and she has extenuated nephritis.

The only possibility of help is an enforced special diet which is difficult in a multi-cat home and in our experience, cats seldom cooperate!

As far as we can tell, Lily is not suffering. She does not flinch when touched. When cats feel unwell they look miserable, which she doesn’t.

So we will keep watch – which we do in any case.

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On our short drive the other day we stopped briefly at Carter’s Pond where the air was filled with birdsong.

The trilling of red-winged blackbirds…

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…and the drilling of a busy woodpecker.

Otherwise the air was still.

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Carter’s Pond exudes a feeling of peace and well-being.

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It is very humble and completely natural.

The few times we’ve been there, there has never been anyone out on the lake.

We’ve only ever encountered one or two people and like us, they kept silent as you would in a church.

The absence of human sight and sound is precious.

It is the only way to appreciate Nature.

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The only way to honour it.

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“It”, I wrote.

According to the French, Nature is feminine.

Must it have a gender?

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A Canada goose watched us looking out over the pond.

She may have been on a nest but we were not close enough to trouble her.

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A second nest, perhaps?

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Nearby others drifted slowly…

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…and dipped.

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It is a good place for quiet contemplation.

Like an empty church.

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Short of time, we pressed on…

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…restored, at least for a little while.

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Willow trees have filled out.

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Distracted, the man turned the wrong way, heading back to Salem, but on empty roads turning around is not a problem.

The number of times we do twirlies, I think he likes going in circles.

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Heading to the vet the other day, he missed the turn and suddenly we were in the village.

“Why are we going this way?” I asked.

Usually when this happens it’s my fault for talking!

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A flicker landed on a dead tree.

Not quite in focus but driving by, you can only do your best.

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Before long we were back in Cambridge.

And now I’m off to collect a selection of kidney-friendly food for our girl.

And to have a minor tooth repair…

4 thoughts on “Drifting and dipping”

  1. Thank you, Carolyn, for your lovely update on the happenings in your world. The birds at springtime are at their busiest and interesting to observe. Thank you for your excellent photos and all the news.

    Joanna

  2. I like the sound of Woodpeckers on an otherwise quiet country walk. Nature also had a gender in English, as it was always called ‘Mother Nature’, until fairly recently. But I have never referred to Nature as ‘she’.
    Best wishes, Pete.

  3. Thank you for sharing these lovely pictures of your journey through your “neighborhood “.
    Lilly is adorable! I hope she likes her new food! 🙏😽

    Catherine

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