It is haying season in Wisconsin, and if you have never smelled a field of new-mown hay, you have not experienced the most beautiful perfume in the world. It is sweet and soft and smells of the both the earth and sky. Yesterday began with news of the death of one of the pillars of our small community—someone we knew only casually, but who was a fixture in our world. We talked about it more than once during the day: of its suddenness, its unfairness, of our sadness, of the loss to everyone who knew him, of how everything had changed with the loss of this one man. He wasn’t old, yet. He wasn’t finished. It was an angsty day, shredded with unfulfilled potential and incomplete aspiration, and I didn’t write enough or well, so I felt precious time had been wasted. It was also, after a night of storms, hot, sticky, and miserable, the air filled with biting flies. And so, as I was about to make dinner, my husband made a suggestion instead: Let’s go float on the lake.
"Life comes at you"; indeed; well said. And don't you just love that our dogs know where we are going and when they are almost there, the lake, the vet, or Home. I had a rough day yesterday too so this choked me up a bit. So I hugged a dog and thanked him for living with me even though I don't have a lake he would love to swim in. Maybe I'll get a kiddie pool.
Eli and Auggie splashing in and savoring the lake. You and Charlie taking moments to reflect and enjoy the day. All captured in this beautiful essay. Life is often too fleeting. Spectacular photo of Auggie.
Everything is better after a bob in the water. And as much as your boys love it, that had to make the day stink just a little less. A gin and tonic never hurts either!
“Life comes at you. You need to grab its moments when you can.” Thank you for this simple but perfect reminder! Also, you’ve left me wishing I lived somewhere close to a hay field…
We are not promised tomorrow, so live each day to the fullest. This has been my mantra for living life with its many adventures.
"Life comes at you"; indeed; well said. And don't you just love that our dogs know where we are going and when they are almost there, the lake, the vet, or Home. I had a rough day yesterday too so this choked me up a bit. So I hugged a dog and thanked him for living with me even though I don't have a lake he would love to swim in. Maybe I'll get a kiddie pool.
I hope today is a better day for you.
Thank you. It will be.
I'm now enjoying the memory of the scent of new mown hay, newly cut grass, pine trees after rain, and sweet sweet puppy breath!
Sigh. Thank you.
Soon comes the hydraulic press of July. You were right to grab a midsummer's night and stop the hot rush of summer for a moment or two.
"To everything there is a season." 🙏🐾😊🛞
Reflective Auggie.
Eli and Auggie splashing in and savoring the lake. You and Charlie taking moments to reflect and enjoy the day. All captured in this beautiful essay. Life is often too fleeting. Spectacular photo of Auggie.
Sounds like everybody needed that trip.
We did!
Thank you for mentioning the gentleman with the gentle smile and heart!❤️
"Life comes at you. You need to grab its moments when you can". Truer words have never been said.
Your neighbors know when you’re coming because of Auggie’s joyful barking. Perfect. Glad they got to soak in the cool water.
Today, life will meet us again. 💕
Wishing you good luck today.
Thank you; and you … 💕
Everything is better after a bob in the water. And as much as your boys love it, that had to make the day stink just a little less. A gin and tonic never hurts either!
Hope today is a better day…..
So beautifully written.
The bucolic hayfields are like a swaying carpet all day long. As a child in IA I just wanted to run through them.
Auggie has a gentle, handsome profile. 💙
“Life comes at you. You need to grab its moments when you can.” Thank you for this simple but perfect reminder! Also, you’ve left me wishing I lived somewhere close to a hay field…
Sorry for the loss of an acquaintance, followed by melancholy.
I remember my first gin and tonic, made by my brother at Virginia Beach. What a nice change of pace from Rolling Rock and PBR.
No doubt!
I hope one be able to experience the a haying season as do beautifully described in your essay!
Thank you!
I hope so, too