The mist has been down for a few days now. It pours in from the sea when summer conditions dis-improve. It gets into your brain, slows down your thinking and creates a cotton wool world outside the window.
Feeling more lost than usual, it was impossible to get out. Work commitments mounted, weeds grew out of control, everything drooped under the weight of moisture. A big well of sadness seemed to pervade this mist. My first summer without my Dad in the background, wearing his summer shirt and his bright yellow sun glasses that he got from the National Council for the Blind .
And me, keeping busy to avoid at all costs the slow misty days of the wettest June on record. Avoiding the desperation that comes with the shortness of life and the quickening of age.
When out of the dark Irish mist a Blackbird female, a mucky brown bird, taking an unusual length of time to get her bearings, caught my attention and brought me back to earth, just in time to snap her before she flew away.
Thank you for this. Wish I could think of something to type here that won't sound trite, patronising or just plain offensive. What I want to say is that the word 'control' jumped out of your piece at me. The impossibility of controlling loss and grief. One day one manages. Another day desperation descends like a mist. I think that the way through is to accept the mist without resisting and to take each flutter of wings as it occurs.
woweeeeeee, as if by magic….i love, adore, admire your photography so much, i dream and keep saving my coppers to buy a descent camera ;0)x
Such a beautiful piece. I'm glad the blackbird came by to offer you comfort.
I sense your dad's presence too.
So beautiful! We have been extremely hot and dry. To me the vision of irish mist is enchanting!
You even make the mist look beautiful. So sorry for your loss.
Sarah x
Who knew that misty pictures could be so lovely. Thinking of you xx
A very appropriate post for me too as my sister-in-law,Mary, passed away just last Friday 29th.
Condolences on the loss of your Dad.
Great captures of the blackbird.
While I wish I could say something to help, I know there isn't anything….I lost my dad in 1998 and I forever miss him. I wear his big work shirt in the garden to keep him close. Commitments and life get in the way of the garden….my weeds continue to grow in the hot sun here where you have a couple of early morning hrs to work and then it is inside to escape the oppressive weather…I have been known to garden in the mist…I try every week to get some time in the garden…it is my solace….for you it was the photography that connected you again…keep that going and it will be your saving grace…you have such a wonderful talent!
I can only agree with Donna above (my Dad also died 2000). You will get through this but let that be in its own time.
Blackbirds always remind me of my granddad. He lived next door to us and grew all our vegetables and fruit. There was one persistent blackbird which he called Joey. I swear every day Joey would sit on the fence and watch granddad work in the garden! Granddad died at the age of 100 over 20 years ago now, but I still think of him and smile when I see a blackbird and cherish my childhood memories of those times.
Your image of the blackbird and the mist is hauntingly calm. I know this weather, I was born and educated in Ireland. I am sorry for the loss of your father. You have beautiful memories of him, as I do of my dear father. As you new follower, I am looking forward to your visit and comments.
Helen xx
After my dad died, his spirit remained in my garden. It was so strong I could feel it. I dealt with the grief minute by minute until I could get through an entire day. In time it will life like the mist. Your photographs are beautiful.
Thanks Foxglove for this lovely post. All will be well. The mist will lift.
Beautiful written piece and photography.
Hope the mist lifts for you soon….xx
OMG how beautiful pictures, the mist always gives great effect to the pictures.
Greetings from Finland