The hill across the valley receives endless sunlight, so in moderating temperatures, their snowcap quickly began to dissolve.
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A grey morning had turned into a fine day and in late afternoon I went out to enjoy the balmy air and a lovely sky.
With much less sunlight, our own hill still holds its cover. The paths have opened up but the ground is completely sodden.
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As the Sun sank, so did the temperature and I could feel the chill returning. Nights are likely to be frosty for a while, but the sting of Winter has gone.
It felt good to be outside without having to bundle up, I’ll admit!
It was nice to wander about watching the sky change.
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The more chaotic life becomes on our planet, the more I look upwards and outwards, to remind myself of just how insignificant we are and how nothing our foolish species does matters in the big picture.
Small comfort to those who suffer, although it is where I seek solace when I grieve.
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My mother’s funeral was on a fine July day. I remember staring up into the deep blue heavens thinking that she was out there somewhere, free from earthly constraints.
Not that I have the faintest concept of what happens when we leave our bodies, only that there is an end to human suffering. Superstition persuades me that it is probably better to lead a life that does not cause harm to others – of any species, that it is advisable to respect all elements of Nature and the Universe.
When I contemplate the world around me and the vastness of space, I am filled with awe. How could I not respect that which is infinitely greater than the insignificant speck that I am?
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A few years ago, I had the opportunity to watch a caterpillar evolve into a chrysalis from which I eventually saw a butterfly emerge and fly away.
That wonderful, amazing event was one of countless such occurrences that happen daily around our planet, unobserved for the most part, but all equally special.
To me, that was the equivalent of a religious experience. I am convinced that we would be much better off as a species if we were less detached from Nature.
Although I always appreciated the natural world, until the age of 70 I was a suburbanite. These past almost 8 years in the country have been happier by far.
Never more than when gazing at the sky.
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Thank you, Carolyn, for the beautiful photos of the sky and the landscapes in your hometown. I wholly agree with you that if we were not divorced from nature, many of our problems wouldn’t exist. I have a picture of our galaxy on my kitchen board, with Earth as a dot, a reminder of how insignificant we are. Your gazing at the sky resonates with me because I love to look at the night sky and admire the Full Moon and various constellations.
Joanna
It is always an amazing concept, or dream, to be able to wander endlessly throughout the galaxies!
I have also been happier in the countryside, but there was a time I was incredibly happy living in the heart of Central London. Perhaps it was growing old that mde me fall out of love with city living? I cannot imagine living in London again now. The sunny day funeral interested me. I have been attending funerals since I was around 10 years of age, the most recent was in January. But not one of those was on a sunny day, not ever. Always cold, dull, or raining or snowing. I came to associate winter with funerals, and somehow that seemed appropriate.
Best wishes, Pete.
If you sincerely want to know what happens when we leave our bodies ask the One who created the universe, if you are sincerely seeking the Truth He will reveal Himself to you.
Yep, we are just a speck in the vast Universe. As a Christian, I believe that even though we are just a tiny dot, God knows each one of us by our name … and what an amazing and wonderful thought that is. I love looking up to the skies – day or night. It’s always nice to look at your photos and see what the sky looks like in your part of the world.