Spring Alley

Stevie wanted to go stare at chickens this morning. Border Collies may choose not to bark, chase, or show wriggly excitement but they ALWAYS stare. The chickens stare back. . .

When I gave into this side trip from our morning walk, it led me to a spring adventure. The morning was crisp, but the sun was warm. The sky was oh so blue and the forsythia outside the window was brilliant.

I’d noticed an alleyway in this neighborhood of no alleys, right across from the chicken coop, I couldn’t see where it lead, where it ended, so we had to explore. I am an alley walker from way back.

We woke the neighborhood with barking dogs who bellowed from behind wooden fences. A sweet Golden Retriever with a gray face dashed the fence and then sat for pets. Nothing sweeter in this world than an aging Golden.

The crows didn’t follow us too far up the alley, so aside from the dogs, it was quiet. I took mobs of pictures of spring flowers, wooden fences creating patterns, light and shadows created by early sun on profusions of fruit tree blossoms, of ivies and ground covers, of tree trunk textures and roads leading into distance. Unfortunately, my cell camera wasn’t up to the job, and most of the photos didn’t live up to their potential. I still had a great time.

The morning sparkled with sunlight, with night-fallen raindrops, with promise for a gorgeous day and impending summer heat. Stevie and I have a new morning route to enjoy.