June 24, 2009

the sounds of the silence

i couldn't tell you much i did during the day today. washed some clothes, unpacked suitcases, puttered - you know. but i did it in silence today. i didn't speak one work really (except to the cat as i fed him). the television was quiet and the only sounds were of the air conditioning or of the washing machine knocking about. occasionally i could hear a dog snoring or the hum of the window unit in my brother's room as he slept.

it was peaceful. i was alone with my thoughts - that loosening of the skin of my mind. i didn't think of deep issues. actually i didn't think of much. i prepared a simple lunch of sliced homegrown cucumbers, paired with sliced ham, red grapes, strawberries, brie and a roll. in the quiet, my tongue experienced the beauty of the tastes. the cucumber was bitter and needed a bit of salt. the ham was pink and tasted both sweet and salty in my mouth. the grapes were sweet and the strawberries dripped lush juice down my chin. the cheese was soft as i spread it on the bread. i should have lunches like this more often.

the tiny roses were soft and lush and though i can't catch much of a scent from them, they made me happy sitting in the sun. amazing what three dollars can buy now and again. the black and white stray cat lies curled in the freshly cut grass. his body a question mark and watching him makes me sleepy too.

later this evening, sounds re-enter my world - the dogs barking, the television on the evening news, the sizzle of dinner cooking. the light has shifted from a blazing torch to a soft pinkish-gold. i'm puzzled by the squirrel's antics in the oak tree as i watch him cut small leafy branches and carry them to my favorite branch. i suspect he is really a she and she's preparing a nest. of course she chatters when some of the branches drift down. this is enough to entertain me.

23 comments:

  1. what an amazing description of your day...
    I could even hear the silence that surrounded you...

    {and I'm guilty too, of those kind of lunches where you think, "why am I not eating this way all the time"}

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  2. What a perfectly contented day you had. Couldn't really ask for more. I'm one to buy the inexpensive flowers at the grocery too, brightening up the kitchen counter usually.

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  3. i think i should have spent my day with you! sounds wonderful!

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  4. Beautiful and simple, from the quietude to your lunch!

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  5. Sounds like a perfect day. The lunch is pretty much all I ate in France (and most of Europe for that matter). I bought some Brie and a baguette after I read this.

    Yummhummmmmy was it good!

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  6. I just love those kinds of days! Actually, I have quite a lot of them. There's usually nobody here but me during the day and I hardly ever turn anything on but the computer. Right now I'm listening the the sounds of cars passing by and the ceiling fans and birds calling outside. It's nice.

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  7. Wonderful, calm post today.
    I think if we all slowed
    down more often, we too
    would be able to see the
    beauty in the every day.

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  8. You have such a great talent -- with words as well as with a camera. Lovely!

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  9. I love your simple poetic description of a day in mindful simplicity. It sounds calm, serene, like a sigh of relief. Summer is too kind to us.

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  10. Aaah, the beautiful sounds of silence!

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  11. your descriptions are so fascinating!
    must try listening sometime ...

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  12. i love being alone with my thoughts.

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  13. that "sounds" like a day of really listening in the silence Char...your photos really added to the moments

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  14. I love small little clustered vases like your peachy roses. Really lovely.

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  15. your lunch sounds divine. in fact, your whole day does. sometimes we just need days like that. "the loosening of the skin of my mind." i like that.

    i had a simple meal last night. almonds, dried apricots, crackers and brie, some white wine. and then later, the best shishkabobs i have ever had! and wonderful fresh veggies and rice with cilantro, lime, butter and salt. yum.

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  16. Add a hammock and pinot grigio to the description of your day and you'd have a perfect day for me. Lovely post, Char. :)

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  17. How peaceful, serene, and balancing! The simple pleasures of life.
    Happy Twirls

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  18. loved every word here - you fill my senses in your words.
    that lunch sounds perfectly delicious. i love cucumber, and brie, it all sounds so refreshing.

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  19. This is the kind of quiet day I love...just simple pleasures...and yummy brie and french bread!

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  20. A day without the clutter of tv noise is always good. I find I'm more peaceful on those days.

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  21. I'm having one of those days where song titles pop into my head to describe what I'm thinking. After reading your descriptive post, I thought of The Sounds of Silence, by Simon and Garfunkel (my age is showing here). Perfect. There are times I just need that silence, and embrace it. Enjoy those moments.

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  22. wow, i love this so much. i could feel the peaceful quiet. and i really want to have lunch with you....

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  23. This post made me realize that I've spent my day in silence as well. Of course, I didn't have nearly as beautiful a day - no fresh fruit and roses. Just a lot of productivity. That's not bad, of course. Just that your day was so much lovelier. Thank you for sharing it with us.

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i feel as if each comment was between us as we sat and sipped something warm....i love to hear what you're thinking.