Off The Beaten Path

My photo
Georgia, United States
Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some people move our souls to dance. They awaken us to new understanding with the passing whisper of their wisdom. Some people make the sky more beautiful to gaze upon. They stay in our lives for awhile, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never ever the same.

Wednesday, November 7

Winter Coming On

The sun stretches across my porch falling low enough under the roof to let my plants bask in sunlight where they used to find shade. The trees in the backyard are covered in a blanket of gold, having traded their capes of green for a fall wardrobe. The grasses by the creek have pods ready to pop and lay out seeds for new spring shoots. And the place in the backyard where I laid Lou to rest now blends into the landscape so that you can longer tell that a beloved pet lies under the rocks and grass. Winter is coming, the squirrels know it, they are gathering acorns with renewed vigor. The deer know it, they have come in close to the house grooming their rutting grounds and marking trees with their antlers. Tonight I covered my tender plants preparing for deep cold. I brought all the plants in from the porch that would surely perish during this first night of bitter cold. A breeze is blowing and it cuts through my not-made-for-winter clothing. I think it is time to haul out the winter flannel, the sweatpants, my Uggh's boots and my winter hat, the one that makes me look like a log rolling lumberjack.


I am amazed at the amount of leaves that have already fallen from the trees and practically overnight the gums and oaks have turned to crimson. The hickories are bright yellow and the dogwoods dot the hills with many shades of pink and red. I walk through the woods swinging a long pointed stick, the one that Lou used to chew and tug on, playfully trying to take away from me. I somberly make my way through the woods to his grave. He was my best friend, it is hard to think of him lying out in the woods alone under dirt and stone, cold and still. Hard to imagine because Lou was never still.....sigh. He is gone, but not forgotten.

22 comments:

Lo Kelween said...

sorry to know about your best friend...especially in wintertime, they remind us of all your friends and family who has gone before us. it's just very sentimental.

Neoma said...

Thank you Elween, I know that I get very sentimental at times, especially around the holidays, my Grandmother passed away near christmas, and so did my favorite aunt......I love the Holidays, but as they draw close I also get a bit sad. Lou passed away in March. I still haven't gotten another dog, I just don't want to go through that kind of sadness again.

Queenie said...

Oh nea, I know its hard for you, I am so sorry. Your friend will forever be in your heart.

Anonymous said...

Nea -- Obviously, though your were going to visit his grave, Lou still took that walk with you. Your words are a beautiful tribute to a loving and precious friend.

Cindy said...

That's a beautiful picture and so is the post that goes with it. I almost felt like I was right there experiencing it for myself.

Libby said...

nea-oh, you made me get all leaky-eyed! not so sad for lou, because wherever he is, he's happy, remembering you, your love for him, what fun he had with you, maybe playing tag or hide & seek...i feel bad for you, not so much him...does that make sense?

Lo Kelween said...

don't go through the sadness. try going through the sweet memories once again. :)

jac said...

You write so nice and touchy, nea

I am so sorry about Lou

Akelamalu said...

Lou will always be with you, waiting over the rainbow bridge....

Neoma said...

Hi queenie,, going through some STUFF right now, makes everything seem hard to deal with.....I know this is old pain, but it still grieves me.

Neoma said...

Hi Quilly, I might have just made a mistake burying him right there where I walk each day, but I had no choice, I couldn't think of anything but to keep him close.....so now, I grieve daily.....hard to turn lose of a good friend. You know, I never had this kind of friendship and love from any man.....maybe I need a new man, and I wouldn't grive for my dog so much, hmmmmmmm And I am not even kidding...haha

Neoma said...

HI Cindy, thank you. I appreciate your kind words....and I am glad you felt you were walking with me.......the woods are beautiful right now. But the leaves are falling fast, as we speak.

Neoma said...

Hi Libby, I understand perfectly what you mean.......Lou had a good life here, although a short one. I did expect to have him with me for at least another 10 years. I guess that is what made it so very hard, it was so totally unexpected. He was at the peak of health just two hours before he died.

Neoma said...

I do both Elween, I think of the great times we had, all the very funny things that he did, but I always end up with his death. You will understand as you grow older, I think once we reach about 50, death takes on a new and sometimes more significat meaning. It is because it reminds us we are half way through our own life, or something.....with much yet that we want to accomplish.

Neoma said...

Hi Jac, thank you......I once wrote for a living, now I write for mere pleasure, and it gives me great pleasure when people read and like what they read, so thank you.

Lou died in March, and although it hasn't even been a year yet, it seems forever. I had him for about six years, he was a puppy when someone dropped him off in this neighborhood, he wandered around for three days living under a neighbors shed, and one day I said, "here baby," and he was my dog from that day on. He was always by my side, and he was the most loyal loving companion. I had really never owned a dog until Lou, so I didn't realize just what they meant by the loyalty of a dog. Now I know. Mutual loyalty, I think is what has kept me from getting another dog......just not that easy to replace somethings......or some people, or a some dogs.

Avus said...

A lovely post on "Autumn" (or "Fall" if you prefer it!), Nea.
As for Lou, you will never replace him. As a dog owner, I know - but life can move on. For each of my dogs that has gone over the "Rainbow Bridge", I have vowed never to get another, but I cannot imagine life without a dog. Paintings of all my previous pooches hang down the hallway and I remember them with love, but my present old boy is laying at my feet as I type and this is infinitely satisfying. (Although I think another year might see him off over that bridge too).
You did the right thing to bury Lou close by. Apart from my first dog I have never been able to do this for various reasons and so I cannot feel "anchored" to them.

Bill ~ {The Old Fart} said...

All I can say is Beautiful, it is a very pretty picture

Neoma said...

Hello Avus, so good to hear from you again. Of course you are right, I should get another dog. I went to the Pet store, and looked, but didn't feel an attachment to a dog that they want 1,000. for. Something tells me that they will all find good homes. So I guess I will go to the shelter and look. Lou found me, I didn't have to go looking, haha.

I would love to have a painting of Lou for my wall....wish I knew someone who could do this for me. Actually maybe I can get Trevor to do it, he is a good artist, just not very motivated. Maybe if I pay him, haha

Neoma said...

Hi Bill, thank you, it is getting gorgeous around here, once the cold comes, so does the color in the trees.

Avus said...

Yes - I think one from a dog shelter is good, Nea - all mine have come that way except the first. Why buy a puppy from a shop when there are so many dogs out there aching for a good home and company.

Neoma said...

Hi Avus, that is what i was thinking also. Anyone who will pay 1,000. for a dog is going to take good care of it, the poor dogs at the shelter need good homes also. I miss my pup, so i guess for Christmas I will get myself a present. :)

QUASAR9 said...

Majestic!