I'm slicing with the Two Writing Teachers community. It's always a pleasure to read what everyone writes about their lives.
Many of us are heading for the March slice of life challenge, and it is really something special to write and post every day. I found a quote that feels good for us when we imagine what that writing will be all the days of March:
"There is no such thing in anyone's life as an unimportant day."
Alexander Woollcott, from Long, Long Ago
I am grateful often for the nurture of nature, how much I love, even in the colorlessness of winter, noticing the beauty, and how good it makes me feel. In these contentious times, I need the respite of walking out. This morning I caught a nice picture of a rabbit. And some of you know that I have had a love/hate relationship with rabbits. I first moved into my home four years ago and love it still, but I have only designated parking spaces, no garage. The gang of rabbits made several meals of the wires in my car which cost me quite a bit of money.
I solved that problem, and now love watching these little animals, remembering the adventures of Peter Rabbit. I wonder what Beatrix Potter would think of these creatures that keep safe and warm in their burrows under neighborhood hedges, crossing streets and dodging cars without mishap, making do with the dry pickings of the plants of winter? Her small creatures lived in a broad woods with different dangers. And my creatures can also entertain if I notice. I see them leap and play in the open spaces, and it is good.
"There is no such thing in anyone's life as an unimportant day."
Alexander Woollcott, from Long, Long Ago
I solved that problem, and now love watching these little animals, remembering the adventures of Peter Rabbit. I wonder what Beatrix Potter would think of these creatures that keep safe and warm in their burrows under neighborhood hedges, crossing streets and dodging cars without mishap, making do with the dry pickings of the plants of winter? Her small creatures lived in a broad woods with different dangers. And my creatures can also entertain if I notice. I see them leap and play in the open spaces, and it is good.
Happy Writing!
Great quote for slicers: "This is no such thing in anyone's life as an unimportant day." Your thoughts of your rabbits and Beatrix Potter's rabbits make me think of Aesop's Town Mouse and Country Mouse
ReplyDeleteThere are so many wonderful little stories of the small animals! I'm glad you like the quote. We'll need it in March! Thanks, Alice.
Deletewhat an awesome capture!
ReplyDeleteThanks! Taking time to look is part of what we need to do!
DeleteI love the whimsy that animals can have as well! What a great shot :)
ReplyDeleteYes! And thanks, too!
DeleteI, too, find solace in observing nature. I enjoyed your reflections on Peter Rabbit's American cousins. I'm happy you were able to work past the chewed wires (ouch!) to appreciation.
ReplyDeleteOnce I found a solution, all was okay, Molly, but what a time it was. Thanks!
DeleteI also love the quote- something for me to keep in mind. Good for you to notice the rabbit and I loved your rabbit comparisons (though not the trouble they caused you).
ReplyDeleteThank you. I was glad to find the quote!
DeleteLinda, this was such a delightful vignette, especially since I do not see rabbits on Long Island lurking in my yard. We have raccoons who live in the sewer pipes and that is a whole other story. Happy Valentine's Day.
ReplyDeleteWe have raccoons, too, but I've only seen one in these past years. We had more trouble in my other home. They too are cute, but trouble! Thanks, Carol.
DeleteOne of my favorite things to do when I return to my parents' house is to watch the critters in their backyard. They have a gopher (or two), rabbits, and squirrels that are always chasing each other in their backyard. Next time I look out at them, I'll have to envision them as characters to see if that takes me anywhere with my writing.
ReplyDeleteNo gophers here that I've seen, but there are plenty of squirrels with the rabbits. Your parents' place sounds wonderful, Stacey. Thanks!
DeleteI love your reflection on the daily writing project. Your quote validates us all -- as does the daily writing. Thank you for that.
ReplyDeleteFor those new to the SOLC, it's tough to imagine just writing about the ordinary, but good-in-our-life things. Thanks, Julieanne. I like that quote, too!
Delete"The nurture of nature" - I love the wisdom in that, Linda. I know how closely you observe and celebrate from the pictures you take and the writing you do, and count that as a gift.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tara. I appreciate that you notice.
DeleteThere is so much to see if we take the time to look. We love watching the wildlife around our house as well...the birds, the squirrels, the rabbits, the chipmunks. It really is so relaxing.
ReplyDeleteThanks, you know I agree!
DeleteThanks for the quote and this little story about nature. We don't have bunnies around here. I wonder why? We have opossums, raccoons, and squirrels. All of them drive my dog crazy when they come to eat the cat food. I didn't slice today because I have the flu. Such a bummer!
ReplyDeleteOh, I am sorry for you, Margaret. I have Ingrid with me today because she, too, has the flu, or some kind of virus. She is sad to miss Valentine's Day! I wonder why no rabbits, too? Hope you have lots of R & R to help you get well fast!
DeleteLooking at the rabbits with Beatrix Potter like mind makes the creatures instantly more tolerable.
ReplyDeleteHa! You're so right, Terje, a fun observation.
DeleteI love that quotation, Linda. So true. I love rabbits--sorry they damaged your car--and glad you figured out how to foil them:>)
ReplyDeleteI love them too, Laura, just don't want them eating the wires.I watch them often. Thanks!
DeleteI was surprised that you could write lovingly about the rabbits after the damage they caused. You have a good soul to forgive. They are rather fun to watch, that is if they are not eating wires or even new tulip sprouts. Perfect quote for March!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Elsie. There are fewer of them than there used to be. It may be that foxes have moved in again. I don't know. But I have moved on and love watching them, too!
DeleteYour opening quote brought me to a slice I had yesterday ... the sun came through the snow and ice covered trees in such a way that it was truly magical. I had to stop working and go outside to take a picture. I tried to slice about it today and nothing came to me...maybe next week!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the inspiration.
Clare
I'm sure I would have loved reading about it, Clare. Keep trying! I enjoyed your slice about listening today, too.
DeleteSmall moments valued, even on an otherwise unsurprising day. Your keen eye for observation and your ability to find joy in things shines through here Linda. Love the quote. Love the celebration of simple pleasures. When I lived in the US, I always felt the need to venture outside, even on the most inhospitable day. It is a compelling call to commune with nature. It replenishes the soul.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Alan. I know that you too share about being out, and I appreciate your response to my experience. I grew up spending long hours out of doors, and it continues to be hard to resist.
DeleteBeing a top-notch noticer, I suspect, makes you an excellent problem-solver and opportunity seizer. Thanks for sharing this moment, Linda, and the important days that follow.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Brian. I was going to write about that problem-solving because it is linked to noticing. These are skills we want our students to acquire for sure.
DeleteI love the quote! I want to hang it over my desk as a reminder for those days that seem so ordinary and unimportant. I had forgotten about the rabbits and your car! Yikes!
ReplyDeleteI was happy to discover that quote, too, Carol. It fits our March writing, doesn't it? Thanks!
DeleteThe nurture of nature. It's been hard to do much walking out lately. I'm not a good walker in the rain, but I did enjoy an afternoon sunny walk to the end of the lane this week. I love those bunnies in the yard!
ReplyDeleteWhen it's raining hard, I understand. Wish you could send some of that moisture our way! Glad you had a short walk. Enjoy that new baby!
DeleteOh my goodness! I had no idea rabbits would do such a thing!
ReplyDeleteI explained in my earlier post, but yes, they like the coating on certain wires. And eat through them!
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