Scone Palace in December

The grounds at Scone Palace are open at the weekends in December, free of charge, so went along for a wander and to admire the big and huge trees.  There was some damage from the same wind that casually blew my B&B sign over.  There is a new pinetum in the grounds, well it might not be that new, but newish, been awhile since I last went around the grounds.  The maze is always fun, whatever your age.  And of course there were the obligatory Highland cows that always grace the parkland at big grand places.  The light was lovely this morning but unfortunately dulled over by the time I reached the palace, so pictures a bit gloomy.  I have been attempting to cut down on my social media 'stuff' so that is why I am now on Instagram as well now!!! Link at top of page.  Something will have to give though, however it won't be my blog.

The Sign

The wind blew hard.

The sign it fell, down.

Pulled from the ground.

Now how will I be found.

 

Is this a sign?

 

It signifies all of what and who I am.

A gentle reminder.

To again stand up tall.

Or be trampled on the floor.

 

 

J.E.Dye

 

Alone

In Winter I fly alone,

Here and there.

I don't travel in flocks.

I stand my ground.

Isolation.

 

I perch,

Observing curiously.

The Holly branches entwined around me,

Their bright red berries compete against my plumage.

 

Am I alone?

The image of me and my tree stare back at you.

Thousands of cards bring me into your home.

I am the image of the season.

 

Once a year, I connect people back.

Only for a brief minute, as their eyes scan the handwriting.

The card is put on show or discarded into a pile.

 

A New Year arrives.

My image casually thrown in the recycling bin.

The people who remembered one another....forget.

For another year their brief connection is broken

And forgotten.

 

 



 

J.E. DYE

Fallen

Here I lie, fallen.

My beauty aged, gone in too short a time.

Frosted, withered and dry, my lifeblood gone.

Those bright fresh days of spring, a stranger now to me.

I emerged, like a butterfly.

Unfurling slowly, stretching, a bright vibrant green catching the light.

I had long glorious days.

The breeze gently cooling me, the sunshine warming me, the rain cleansing me.

 

Colder nights came, I shivered.

But then I glowed brightly, my colouring changing.

I felt alive.

The harsh wind came, the day's became shorter.

It was time for me to go.

I fell.

No more.

 

The tree that gave me life now must sleep.

Nature's earth re-claims me, my memories run deep.

J.E.Dye

First of December

Another month has dawned, the month where television advertising would have us all believe we are some sort of a failure if we don't have many fabulous parties lined up and the big day must be spent bestowing lavish gifts on one another, laughing, eating and drinking merrily with our nearest and dearest, but then I'm just cynical and probably don't 'get it'. It is like we are conditioned from birth to live our life in a certain way and people who don't tow the line are a misfit.  Is my life so unfulfilled because I didn't catch the latest instalment of Eastenders or some other amazing 'celeb' programme or catch up with the latest gossip from the rows of magazines available.  I must fit into the failure catalogue because I don't get my nails done each week.....emmm well never :-)
 I will be absolutely delighted when this year is over and can start afresh in the New Year with more somewhat amusing solicitor letters to look forward to, with words like 'blank assertion' to mull over in amazement.  Although it is not really that amusing, just wears you down to a very low level and you are in a constant state of 'life is frozen' and will there ever be a shining light at the end of the long dark tunnel.  Thankfully I have 3 very upbeat lovely children to make me smile. I have no idea how I made it through this year. I think I just went into auto-pilot.
Today's dog walk was just in the locality and I was fortunate to see 2 red squirrels.  There are also many fieldfares around now and they are easily identifiable by their call. The wee loch Hare Myre was totally devoid of any waterfowl today but plenty of swans on Stormont.  There has been waxwing sightings in the town, so I will keep my eyes peeled.  The bed and breakfast is closed now until my next guests on the 27th, so I can have a treat and sleep in one of the guest rooms until then.

Misty morning walk

Enjoyed the ever changing views and reflections on a recent local walk, Fingask and White Loch, with the sun trying hard to break through the mist, all very atmospheric.