DISCLAMER: IF YOU HAVE LOGGED ON TO THIS PAGE EXPECTING TO LAUGH I NEED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT I AM TRYING MY HAND AT JUST WRITING ABOUT ORDINARY THINGS (WHICH EXCLUDES ANYTHING I USUALLY GET INVOLVED WITH).
I have had to push this piece over several times to make room for something else that popped up so this is no longer current. We have had around 30 days of 100 degree + weather and I haven't had my windows open since a day or two after I wrote this. Not only that but my granddaughter, her children (and her critters) are no longer living with me. But, it is my first attempt at just being serious.
It's a beautiful sun shiny day and as I sit here composing at my computer I pause to take in the clamor of sounds that are emanating from all around me. The first sound that grabs my attention is the sound of my dog, Toby, as he grunts and huffs while trying to dig a hole to China through his blanket,
Of course, he stopped digging the minute I picked up the camera! |
From outside my raised window I hear the twitter and chirps of a variety of birds going about their business in our hugh back yard. In the background, I can hear the relentless hammering and sawing of a handy-man replacing damaged siding on the house. From the kitchen the sounds of my grandson, Gene, teasing, joking, and laughter with friends as they play Yu-gi-oh. Filtering in from the back of the house is the television blaring some kind of children's cartoon. Accompanying all of this are and the squeals, yelps, and screams of my great grandsons (ages 4 and 5) as they play and squabble with one another. Blended in with all of this are the occasional snorts and snores of my dad who is sleeping in his recliner in the front room.
Maybe I should I will help Toby dig his hole to China and escape the din. But, you, know, it isn't half bad hearing life being lived. There was a time when this house was brimming over with all kinds of relatives and kids and the sounds that accompanied their visits. Most of those relatives are gone now and their kids have disbursed throughout the United States and have kids (and grand kids) of their own. I have lost contact with most of them as it was my parent's brothers and sisters, my aunts and uncles who got us all together from time to time.
Do we all look back and miss those days, whenever or whatever THOSE DAYS were? I can remember groaning when Mom told me we had to go to Aunt Marjorie's (or whomever's) house for a family dinner. None of us cousins were particularly close and it seemed like such a horrible idea. But, for some reason, now, when I look back, I remember those times with fondness.
Well, my neighbor on the east just joined in on the din. He is apparently sanding something metal because it is making a terrible grinding noise. To the west my other neighbor is mowing his yard and all of this noise is becoming a cacophony of sounds that is part of the music that is life. All of us doing what we need to do in order to complete the daily requirements of upkeep on a home, and family responsibilities.
Perhaps this is a melody that is actually the song of life. The final note, added by me, a sigh... ... ...