Red sky at morning, sailor take warning. Time softened the red to pink and in a few short minutes, milky gray. It was warmer and a light sprinkle hit the thick carpet of oak leaves with a sweet sound. There wasn't any of the strong humming vibration from the super slab miles away or the honking impatience of the main artery of the city just a few short blocks away. No leaf blowers. No dog walkers. Rare to find myself in such a quiet space in the ATL. I closed my eyes. I could hear a jet, a mockingbird, a bus, the light rain, wind and...that was all. This is the best it will get today. People will wake up; TV's will again blare and there will be talking. I wouldnt mind going into a monastery right now where a vow of silence is strictly enforced. Instead I meditate on the chicks dining on a plate of strawberries, bananas and chopped kale.
Whatever happens the night before, the chickens await release from the coop at sunrise and that is my job. It really is winter now despite this warming trend. A cool austerity has blanketed everything and soon sparkling ornaments and tinsel will be trashed and there will be no more distractions. You know I'm glad? Its too much and too long. It feels as if life has been suspended. Last night the Dick Clark New Years Eve broadcast moved colorfully in the background. They showed the celebrations from around the world...from New Zealand and Australia and Japan and Moscow..the most beautiful I thought with the fireworks going over St. Basils in a heavy snowfall. And then the cut back to the US with a melange of neon bright flashing corporate logos and K$sha on stage. How perfect is this, thought I, a pop star with a dollar sign in her name, in a scene where everything that can be, was, branded with some kind of advertisement? Nivea was the sponsor of the NYE midnight kiss. Is there anything left in the USA that cannot be bought or sold or co-opted?
I wish everyone a very blessed New Year. Maybe some of you are awake and formulating your resolutions. I am thinking about my garden and the seeds I will try this year and if i should order some spring chicks. Easter in particular, wants to be a mother. I am considering getting some fertilized eggs for her to brood over. But a rooster remains out of the question as long as the chickens spend part of their time in the city. Im thinking about the movies i am working on for the county and how much I want them to be sheer visual poetry. Im thinking about integrating my website, shop and blog into a unified page and expanding the Chickory farm truck shop all the way to the Chattanooga market. Will the truck even go that far? I dont know.
Sincere and grateful thanks to everyone who made a garland as a part of our charitable NYE celebration. A good chunk of money was earned for respective charities. In my case, the money will be given to Heather, a young single woman, who foster parents 4 children on her modest salary. Thanks to ring-leader Boxer and all the other bloggers in the NYE ring for sponsoring fun games and activities and for making your own charitable contributions. Youre the best of people, and I want you to know how honored I am to call you friends.