It's the first time I've ever lived with a locked bank of mailboxes. They sit about half a block away. And, the mail doesn't come till after five pm, or later. Sometimes I run into the mailman, and when it's cold with blowing snow, I appreciate this person who has worked all the winter's day to bring the mail. I do say my thanks.
This time of year, it may be chilly, but it is still light when I go, or I wait until after dinner. I love this in-between time, dusk with synonyms so lovely: sundown, twilight, sunset, eventide, gloaming. How can one not love the idea of a walk in the gloaming? And so I go, and enjoy the final outdoor air of the day, cooling as it settles into night. I hear the last of the children running down the sidewalk toward home, slamming the door shut, playtime finished for the day. Yesterday there was a rain shower, and the sprinklers have begun, perfuming the air with "fresh" and "new" and "green"! Birds murmur goodnights as they fly into their nests, and lights fill the house windows. I peek to see people moving into their evening lives. I'm almost back home, and my short walk has wrapped up my day like a gift to savor. Hope you enjoyed a peek at the gift, too.
38 comments:
What a lovely glimpse into your evening routine! Love the lights filling the windows and your day wrapped up like a gift to savor by this evening walk!
The word gloaming and the idea of playing till dark makes me intensely happy. Thank you for this lyrical post.
There is a peaceful quality to your writing here that is comforting to the reader. I, too, really enjoyed the word gloaming. In French it's l'aube; it gives me the same sensation. Thanks for a lovely read this morning. Maribethbatcho.wordpress.com
This is such a lovely slice, Linda, with a wonderful, peaceful atmosphere. You certainly wrapped this moment up like a gift for all of us to savor. Thanks!
Gloaming - what a wonderful word and you set such a rich definition for it with your description of your evening routine.
Thanks, Ramona, I'm glad it's warmer now & I can enjoy this time more fully.
You're welcome, Julieanne. It is wonderful to see the kids starting to be out later and later.
And thank you for the French word, lovely!
You're welcome, Molly, happy that I shared and you enjoyed it.
Thanks, Bernadette, it's an almost daily part of my life.
It is a wonderful time of the day . . .the time we seem to settle in, reflect and think about what's ahead. Your slice was written beautifully Linda! I love the picture, it is the perfect visual for your words! Beautiful!
Thank you, Lynn. I had just returned from my walk, and thought "I'll write about this!" The feeling is a good one.
Hmmm.. walking a dusk. I love that idea especially as we am coming into spring. I haven' t been walking and you are inspiring me :)
Thanks Friend,
Bonnie
Playing til dark rings back memories of when I was a kid. My friends would be out playing until the sun started to set. Then we would most often sit on someone's front porch just enjoying being outside. Thanks for the memory.
Terrific, Bonnie, it's a gorgeous time to be out!
Yes! As I wrote, many memories came back about this time, screen doors slamming, parents calling. . . Glad you thought of some too!
What a lovely ritual and such perfect words to describe it! I love passing by and noticing the life happening behind windows too.
I love the gloaming, too, Linda--my favorite time of day. :)
This is my favorite time to walk Sophie - for just the reasons you so beautifully wrote about, Linda.
Thanks, Elsie, agreed. It's fun to do a little "window-peeping".
Especially spring & summer, right? Thanks, Jane.
Thanks, Tara, not surprised! I imagine that it's lovely from the porch at this time of day also.
I enjoyed your gift. Thank you! Lovely slice. "Birds murmur goodnights" - I should walk outside in the evening more often.
Thanks, Terje, You have lovely places to walk, so perhaps an evening walk will be a different kind of pleasure!
I love how you brought the setting to life - I could hear it, see it and feel it. I don't think we focus enough on setting with our students. It is difficult to truly bring a setting to life and you did it so well. I plan to share this with students as an example -- thank you for the gift!!
Clare
Ooh, such a delicious snapshot of this moment, Linda! I love the way you turn the ordinary into something magical! I will remember this slice in a few weeks when we move into our apartment and I have to get the mail from a locked bank of mailboxes for the first time in years!
I suspect even bills and catalogs might look mildly enticing under the gloaming's flattering fadeout... Thanks for the refreshing perspective, Linda.
You're welcome, Clare, and thanks for the compliment.
I assume you're moving while you get the new one ready? Thanks for reading, Jennifer. It's those warm summer evenings that I love for sure.
Ha! Yes, there is much more to enjoy than what lies inside that locked box, "most" of the time. Thanks, Brian.
What a beautiful way to end the day! Thanks for bringing us along on your lovely walk, Linda!
You placed me right next to you walking to the mailbox. My sister has these in her newish neighborhood outside Austin. I think I'd have a hard time with the concept. Do you run into neighbors there?
You're welcome, Catherine
Yes, it is different than having the mail right outside my home, but also yes, I do occasionally see neighbors. The fun thing is when the granddaughters are here, it becomes a wonderful trip to see if there are any surprises! Thanks, Margaret.
Oh, I love walking at dusk, too, Linda, especially if people haven't thought of closing their curtains yet. Pure voyeurism, looking in, seeing the lamplight and the night glow beginning. Thanks for the lovely post.
You're welcome, Julie. It seems that I'm not the only one loving this time, and that peeking in.
You have written so beautifully about this moment in your day.
Thank you. It's a special time which made it easier to write!
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