I am on the move and missing those walks on the lane. From life on the road, the midlands of Ireland open like a golden tablecloth waiting to be laid for Spring. Crumpled, layered, deep.
The dark trees are silhouettes now, solid and strong. They open conversations with the sky and the land. Then they turn to me saying “Stand your ground and don’t be afraid to be alone. Grow old with grace and dignity. Be as big or as small as you are.”
The sky joins in, “Spread out” it says, “don’t hide, there is enough space for each one.”
And the land too speaks saying, “Be what you are, a tree is a tree, a flower is a flower…….. a mouse is a mouse.”
Then I confide, once the adults called me Mouse and I hid under the furniture reading books and listening to them talk.
“But look at you now Mouse” say the trees, the sky and the land, “driving around the country listening to voices, turning up late to important meetings from wandering the land, staring into space and thinking like a free soul……..”
Lovely post Catherine! your first two photos really capture the open landscape of the midlands too.
I love how Ireland has so many different kinds of landscape. The midlands are beautiful in a gentle way and those trees there really show themselves in all their glory against the plains. Thank you MK for taking the time.
conversations with the land are the best. I need to do more of that.
Thanks Fiona. It's funny that I really notice the land a lot more when I am driving these days. It has a different presence when you are on the move.
Great post. I love that very first photo. Great colour and very atmospheric.
Thanks Ellie! Early morning creates that kind of misty backdrop on certain days, I love that too:~))
Ooooh, look at you now, Mouse. I LOVE that.
LOL! The Mouse that roared! Thanks Sile:~)
Gosh, your posts always give me chills. You seem to have such a deep, wise soul.. as well as an amazing eye for beauty. Thank you for that today… I needed it.
Thank you Jillian for your kind words, I needed it myself today too:~)
Where did you find that sunshine Catherine? Never mind, you've captured that empty feeling of a beautiful winter landscape…
Thanks George I found it on the road to Tullow. Lashings of rain here today hence I am chatty and present:~)
Still too much snow here to see any green fields! Love the first photo.
June
I would have liked snow but there was none here this year….YET! Thanks June, you have the perfect name…….
Nice 🙂
Thanks! It's nice to be getting to know more sheep ladies these days:~)
Your words and pictures are so beautiful..thank you
Sophie x
Thank you Grace, you are very kind:~)
Beautiful pictures and lovely thoughts … as always.
Thank you Diane, much appreciated…..as always:~)))
Simply beautiful!
The landscape, the light, the colours, your words………
Thank you, Janneke, that is very kind of you:~)
How beautifully the land speaks to you! And the colours are incredible – even more when the sun peeks out only for very rare moments like here for weeks : )
Thanks Martin, yes there is some sanctuary to be found in the land at the oddest times:~)
Wise words from the trees and sky. And lucky you to be able to stop and capture these beautiful images.
Thanks Mairead, yes the wisdom is out there isn't it?
So beautifully written …
M x
Thans Jane, that's a really lovely comment:~)
Hi, just love the light in the second photograph and the framing of the trees ~ almost seems like the curtain is open to your past and you're behind stage. A really powerful piece.
Thank you Jean! What a brilliant way to see it!
Poetic in exquisite images and thoughtful words. You never fail to inspire Catherine. Safe and joyous journey.
Thank you Carol! The journey is being very slowly and safely undertaken:~)
Beautiful – thank you for sharing – words & images.
You are welcome, thanks for your support Adaliza:~)
Wonderful post and photos
Thank you so much Val, loved your post about your visit to Dublin:~)
Wonderful indeed. Such beautiful thoughts and words giving life and meaning to your images.
Anna :o]
Thank you Anna, your kindness means a lot just now:~)
I am here because of Sophie at Fading Grace. The adults once called me Mouse too … your parents never stop being your parents but it would be nice to think that they also saw me as an adult now after 48 years – I do wonder sometimes. 🙂
Haha yes Daisymarmalade I know that one! My parents recently asked me if I could paint the hall and staircase while I was visiting!!! LOL! Thanks for visiting….
The landscape and the colours in that first picture are amazing!
Sarah x
Thanks Sarah. Who says the winter is grey?
beautiful blog – gorgeous images and lovely words 🙂 Mandy x
Turning up late for important meetings…thinking like a free soul 🙂
So much in those words, Catherine…very beautiful
Hello Catherine
Your images and words speak gently in a soft accent.
Helen xx
Thank you Helen! I know you can hear the lilt in those voices!!
Stunning images and beautiful words – just recently discovered your blog and love it – you are so poetic and have an amazing way with words.
Thank you so much and paying a visit here:~)
Beautiful. Just beautiful. You have a wonderful spot here in bloggy land! I am so happy your blog was shared with my 'it's a small world' blog hop today! Nice to 'meet' you! 🙂
Thanks for that brilliant idea of yours Jennifer! You are welcome here any time…….
The layers and colours in your photos are wonderful, as are the layers mentioned through your words.
Thank you, yes that rare commodity that you so love, sunshine was splashing itself about that day!
So beautiful! I love how open your countryside is. We're packed in like rats here. Gorgeous photos!
Packed like rats is such a vivid description, I love that!
Your post today really helped me decide on something that I've been thinking about. We belong to ourselves, to this wonderful, big world. Not soley to a corporation or to a family. We are part of it all but wholey only to ourselves. I need to keep that in mind, always.
Delighted to hear that Mary, and yes we both need to keep that in mind:~)
This is exquisite Catherine… may you always take the time to be soft and silent and listen to the meadows and forests with your gentle soul.
Thank you Laura, I just read your own piece on trees and felt we might have a lot in common:~)
The imagery speaks to hope and love..to possibility. And – your words lead the way to believing that we are who we are…but we can be whoever we want to be. A mouse that quietly roars..:-)!
Thanks Marcie, the roar of a mouse is indeed one to be reckoned with:~))
Such beautiful country! And as always sublime images and exquisite prose 🙂 A poetic mouse!
Thank you so much for the get well wishes 😀
Thanks Annie! The midlands don't usually get too much attention and I agree the land there is wonderful:~))
Beautiful words and pictures. I've always wanted to visit Ireland.
Here from Jennifer's blog hop!
O you must come! Thanks and to Jennifer as well!
When I drive the hour to ork eery day I mediate with the land and creatures trying to make sure iI see the sun rise and silhouette the trees and hawks…watch the deer, fox and turkeys graze. It brings us joy and solace to be able to join in with those voices.
Thanks Donna, on my good days I listen, on other days there seems to be so much noise:~))
"and thinking like a free soul"….how that makes
my heart do a happy little shiver:)
oh you listen well, friend,
your words touch me deeply
and your photos feed my own free soul
and I thank you!
-Jennifer
Thank you Jennifer! Soul to soul:~)
The sunbursts remind me of you, Catherine. The mouse? I'm learning this about you…. 🙂 And yes, I know you are here and there and everywhere these days. Please pamper yourself.
I certainly will if I get a minute Ginnie! Thanks:~)
That top photo. Breathtaking.
Thank you Jenny:~))
hope your meeting went well, but the voices talking from the landscape are speaking to me too.
Thank you Diane, the meeting was great, in spite of the dreamy facilitator:~))
The image of the two tree trunks with the sun burst is outstanding… I'm your newest follower and rss subscriber…
Madge you are so very welcome and thank you for your thoughtful comment:~)
Great photos, I especially like the first one. As gardeners we probably are talking to the land even if we don't think so. Great thoughts. Jack
Ah yes it is a gardening thing….always chatting to myself and hearing whispers on the wind…..thanks:~)