beauty and the beast

This is not what I intended to blip today.  My blip was going to be about fun and positive stuff - Anniemay is out all day at ‘ladies day at Ascot’ (a charitable event run by our local hospice) and Dan and Kelly are at work, so I have until 5.30pm to play.  And I have a lot of playing to do.

I drop Anniemay off first thing this morning at a friend’s house - they’re going out for breakfast before the big event.  She has the whole outfit - fancy dress, shoes, handbag and a one of those hats - a fascinator - the sort that look as if a bird of paradise has been through a lawn mower.

When I get home and pull into the drive I notice this egg on the gravel.  I know what it is; I’m wondering how it got there.  

I carefully edge my way close enough to check up on Mrs Duck.  She’s still sitting on the nest.

The other end of the egg - the part you cannot see - shows that something has been here before me.  None of our neighbours have cats and we never see dogs other than on leads.  We have, however, spotted a couple of magpies strutting around.

The egg, in spite of the desecration, is a beautiful thing; the shape and colour - and what it represents.  And I’m struck by just how poignant and vulnerable it looks lying here on the gravel.