Take a Walk in My Backyard

All was silent as before -

All silent save the dripping rain.
~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

***

Today it rained for much of the early morning. Hard rain. Even thunder and lightning.

The rain and strong wind made the kind of sound so that you were glad it woke you up, and then made you even more grateful that it was still dark outside and you were cozy in your bed, listening.

And then when the clouds cleared, I went out for a walk. In my backyard.

Want to come along?

Actually, I'm teasing a little. This isn't really my backyard. It's Golden Gate Park. But it's close enough to my house to practically be my backyard, so that's what I call it.


My hands and nose were red from the crisp cold air. Everything smelled like eucalyptus, wonderful and fresh.


Leafy puddles everywhere.


Little branches had flown off the trees.


Pools where sidewalks should be.


Today all of the park's squirrels were out en masse. If you stood very still, they would run up to you, almost gaily, as if you were their long lost Uncle Phil, bearing gifts.


And then when they realized you had nothing to give them, they pouted.


But they still let you take their photographs.

Fuzzy pussy-willow like buds floated atop empty branches.
I wondered what they were. If they were coming or going.

But then a few shared their secret with me. I am looking forward to spring.

Bye for now. My boots are muddy and it's time for dinner.

xoxo