Sunday, October 14, 2007

Changes

Things have changed so much in the month that the Grey Mare has been lame. I have missed the subtle changes I normally notice while we hack around the quiet roads and through the fields. I feel I have been cheated out of the best bits of autumn.
Suddenly, now that I have started noticing things again, I see there are crunchy brown leaves on the ground. Small children jump, kick and stamp upon them, while bigger ones freewheel through on their bikes with grins on their faces. The conker trees that stand sentinel along the A1 have changed into clothes of red, yellow and rust. The scarlet scattered berries amid the thorn hedges have ripened to a deep, bloody and squashy red. The marshy field at the bottom of the lonnen is riddled with toadstools. I counted 10 heron silently sitting on the other side of the reeds. Sometimes, I think there is something otherworldly about that place.

The Grey Mare, too, has changed. Gone is the sleek coat of summer; now she is fluffy as a teddy bear. But there is no point in clipping until she’s back in work. The enforced break has also affected her belly. Never the most svelte of horses, she is now as round as a barrel. I hope I can fasten her girth when the time comes to get back on and see what else we’ve missed.

13 comments:

Eurodog said...

I hope the vet gives you encouraging news today. Always a difficult time when our pets/animals are unwell. No doubt you will keep us posted.

Gill said...

Worry makes us miss so much and when we come back into the world we see it has gone on without us but that sometimes helps us to see the familiar in unfamiliar ways. To see anew. There is a restorative power in being part of the changing seasons so I am glad you are finding your way back. Herons are very calming I think, standing so still and flying slowly across the meadows

Catherine said...

Lovely post M&M and good to see you back. Hope she continues to improve.

dulwichmum said...

Have you enough tea to keep you going dear heart? I can pick you up some more soon if you like...

Whispering Walls said...

According to Eurodog, rose quartz is useful for healing animals.

Jane Badger said...

A good sign I think when they can get rid of their bandages, though slightly dispiriting when you've spent hours putting them on.... dog used to keep her bandage on in a very loyal and devoted fashion during the day, then rip it to shreds during the night. Cross fingers GM keeps getting better!

Anonymous said...

Reassuring to know that it isn't only us middle aged chaps that pick up a bit of extra girth at this time of year [sigh]. Good to know that she is on the slow road to recovery.

Karen said...

We saw lots of interesting fungi on the dunes of Drigg beach but forgot to look them up! One was weird and had gills on the top instead of underneath. There were loads of magic mushrooms too if anyone is that way inclined!

Mopsa said...

Autumn's bustin out all over. Still sharing blackberries with the dogs.

muddyboots said...

do you remember bran poultices? hope you have a peg for your nose when the gunk shoots out!!!

@themill said...

And all looking more beautiful when bathed in the glow of an Indian summer...

Yorkshire Pudding said...

"Oh she lay with me by the lonnen
In the month of May
When blossom filled the trees
Oh she lay with me by the lonnen
And sang sweetly
Gerroff ye daft bugger!"

Whispering Walls said...

The bloggers lunch will be at the Carlton Club AT 12.30pm on Thursday 15 November. Hope you can make it.