I find it incredible how hard it can be to use a valuable period of free time. Today, it has been raining practically non-stop. I have several online books to read and finish. I read a couple of chapters of one book, then moved on to playing a few games of bridge against a robot player. I then decided to catch up on a couple of online games of chess. I am now spending time writing, with some welcome sociable interjections from Margaret, who has just completed her regular daily selection of online word games and puzzles. All this is certainly going a long way to keep both our brains active and keep mental deterioration, such as dementia, at bay. Rather than allowing the dreary weather to slow us down, we decided to tackle a roster of mental tasks designed to keep us sharp and active, making the most of every unexpected hour!
Wild wind strips the leaves from a silver birch. Leaving a silver phantom ghostly sight An owl hoots from a nearby church.
Stormy winds batter this unsafe perch Passing birds fly high to avoid the sprite Wild wind strips the leaves from a silver birch.
A powerful gust causes a sudden lurch A ghostly sound shatters the silent night An owl hoots from a nearby church.
Bats silently hunt over the branches arch A ghostly figure in the dead of night Wild wind strips the leaves from a silver birch.
This powerful presence suffers sad besmirch Its silver branches swathed in moonlight An owl hoots from a nearby church.
Summer has gone and autumn takes flight In the cold feel of winter half-light Wild wind strips the leaves from a silver birch. An owl hoots from a nearby church.
Arthur’s knights cheered on Avalon A chapter of a well-lived carefree life The healing support saw stress long gone.
Upset with tears cruel days foregone An end to seemingly endless strife Arthur’s knights cheered on Avalon.
A firm shoulder with help to rely on A healing place without surgeons’ knife The healing support saw stress long gone.
A gentle support with space to move on People to turn to and to celebrate life Arthur’s knights cheered on Avalon.
Someone to call on, advice to rely on When fantasy problems seem to be real life The healing support saw stress long gone.
When sleep came easy from dusk to dawn With the past forgotten and new home life Arthur’s knights cheered on Avalon The healing support saw stress long gone.
The meaning of the word Avalon…. Avalon is a mythical island featured in Arthurian legends, often depicted as a paradise and a place of magical healing. It is most famously known as the resting place of King Arthur after his final battle, symbolizing both hope and eternal life.
I began my daily walk at 15:30, and immediately, the air felt heavy with the promise of night; dusk was rapidly drawing in. Barely ten paces from my doorstep, the rain hit—not a gentle drizzle, but an immediate deluge. It was the kind of rain that seemed to fall sideways, instantly transforming the pavement into a shining, obsidian sheet. I quickly fumbled, raising my umbrella to deploy the necessary shield just in time.
As I arrived at Foxy Lane, I spotted a young lady passing me by, walking two sturdy mongrel-type dogs. By this time, the rain had become so heavy that the dogs were utterly defeated, their fur clinging tightly to their bodies. They were both soaked to the skin, trotting with a philosophical resignation while their owner hurried past.
Moments later, a small tabby cat entered the scene. It moved with an acute awareness of the downpour, making a series of desperate, low sprints. Each dash ended abruptly at a doorstep, where the poor creature would huddle, using the slight overhang as its momentary sanctuary before sprinting to the next dry patch.
I started to walk around the leisure centre. The heavy rainwater was quickly filling the muddy pools and puddles along the path. Up ahead, through the shimmering curtain of rain and the reflective glare from the building’s exterior lights, I noticed the familiar sight of the man I usually see, walking his black Labrador. The dog moved with its usual eager, quiet purpose, its coat like polished black leather, catching the damp light as it pulled gently on its leash.
The thick black rainclouds above were contributing rapidly to the evening darkness, and the leisure centre lights were shining out brightly, illuminating the surrounding, wet area.
Finally, as I passed by our neighbour’s house, I saw the last dramatic spectacle of the evening. Framed perfectly in the well-lit window was their large white sheepdog. The moment I came into view, the dog sprang onto the settee and launched into a torrent of loud, throaty barks, scrambling its paws against the glass—a furious, woolly sentinel guarding the warmth within.
Despite the dramatic soaking, I walked for 1.98 miles in 45 minutes, a journey Google Fit deemed worthy of 18 heart points.
I ventured out on my walk earlier than usual today. There was a sharp breeze and watery sunshine as I walked towards Foxglove Lane. I noticed that most of the red berries had been stripped from the rowan trees by the wild birds.
A solitary crow
A solitary crow was underneath the pine trees, and, with a flapping of its great black wings, it took off as I approached.
A descriptive Haiku
Great wings flap for flight, Black coat leaves the cold pine trees, Shadow on the path.
I noticed two small flocks of about six blackbird-sized birds feeding on the grass amongst the larger birds. I took a couple of photographs of them, and Google Lens later identified them as mistle thrushes.
I left the recreation ground and noticed that my friend the pitbull terrier was missing from his garden.
Rooks
I entered the cemetery, where 20 rooks and several wood pigeons flew up from the verges between the graves.
The leaves on the smaller pathways were giving off a powerful, autumnal, decaying smell. A few small sparrows and finches were flying around the hedges.
I left the cemetery and as I passed by his garden again, I heard a single familiar bark and there was the pitbull, seated on his trampoline starting straight at me. I returned his stare with a smile and continued on my way.
A descriptive Haiku
Friend upon the net, Seated there, a single bark, Stares right into mine.
When I arrived at the town football ground, I noticed that on the border of the car park, a wild evening primrose plant had burst out with a couple of late, impressive yellow blooms.
We began our walk along the beautiful Sheringham Park autumnal pathways. I noticed a robin, with its chest provocatively puffed out, perched under a hedgerow as we walked by. Quite a few different types of dogs were around, most of them on their leads. I noticed several different Labradors walking with their owners. People passed us by with spaniels, poodles, and terriers; sadly, many cross-bred dogs are hard to identify these days. I snapped a lovely photograph of my favourite ancient beech tree in Sheringham Park.
A female blackbird landed on a rowan and began feasting on the ripe red berries. I snapped a photograph of this hungry bird as it fed on the berries and built up strength to survive the winter ahead. A lady passed us walking two black Pekingese-type dogs. One of them was obviously unable to use its back legs and was walking with the aid of a wheeled device. We continued along the main pathway, taking photographs of the stunning scenery and each other.
I spotted a couple of grey squirrels racing up and down the smooth bark of a tall deciduous tree. We returned to the National Trust café and indulged in some liquid refreshment.
I walked outside into dazzling bright sunshine with a mild breeze today. Three jackdaws were perched on a rooftop when I turned into a local lane and I noticed a wood pigeon on a nearby house. I walked around the outskirts of the recreation ground. A few rooks from the rookery were around, making a lot of noise as they called to one another, and a wood pigeon was flying over the cemetery.
I arrived at the entrance to the cemetery road where my friend the Pit Bull Terrier was standing on a trampoline in his garden, staring straight at me. I stood and stared back, smiling, and he never made a sound.
I raised my hand to wave goodbye and he visibly tensed, but he still never made a sound, and we continued to stare at each other. I think I have definitely made a friend here, as not long ago he would have raised the dead in the cemetery next door with his loud barking.
I walked into the cemetery where the bright dazzling sunlight was blinding the rooks flying around above the rookery treetops. I started to wander along the cemetery pathways, and as I turned away from the sunlight, I could see about 50 rooks flying around, making their harsh, guttural calls to one another. Several rooks and a few wood pigeons began flying away as I made my way out of the cemetery.
I noticed the recent wind had blown down many pine cones, which were scattered over the cemetery road surface, thick enough for me to slide on and almost trip me up.
I walked along past the leisure centre, where 10 house sparrows were perched and hopping around on the branches of a hawthorn hedge adjoining the next-door care home.
A man walking a Cockapoo-type dog passed as I walked along past the cricket club pavilion.
Exploring a daily trail of naturalistic intelligence. Natural growth is a pathway to maturity. Peace of mind with personal eloquence.
Wherever we walk, exploring the evidence. Our thoughts meld into individuality. Exploring a daily trail of naturalistic intelligence.
Growth is a pathway to walk with reverence. Happy to follow in peace with security. Peace of mind with personal eloquence.
The wildlife speaks with natural eloquence. Finding a way with our learned rationality. Exploring a daily trail of naturalistic intelligence.
Walking with nature with care and diligence. Following life’s pathway, learning gradually. Peace of mind with personal eloquence.
A walk through a wild, neglected inheritance. Changing a learned, superior mentality. Exploring a daily trail of naturalistic intelligence. Peace of mind with personal eloquence.
As you make your way through a curtain of green. Through the leafy doorway at a woody edge. You enter a world that is never yet foreseen.
A soft heaviness betrays the end of a dream That was always there as a right or a privilege As you make your way through a curtain of green.
Peace and understanding, with thought serene Goals and promises without the need to pledge You enter a world that is never yet foreseen.
Darkness outshines this world’s glossy sheen As troubles dissolve peace is the ultimate pledge As you make your way through a curtain of green.
Curious thoughts with mysteries as yet unseen Blur into oblivion leaving nothing but a faded edge You enter a world that is never yet foreseen.
Merged with the air and this world’s thought-stream Consciousness departs as llfe becomes a fleeting dream As you make your way through a curtain of green. You enter a world that is never yet foreseen.
johnandmargaret1607 