Standing and Staring

It's another beautiful sunny day today with wall to wall blue sky and the wind has dropped, so it should be quite warm outside.

However, today is cleaning day, so I have decided not to be lured outside by my friend, Mr. Sun, but to stay in and have a good morning with Mr. Sheen and Mr. Muscle. The incentive, of course,is to get it done quickly and THEN go out and enjoy the sunshine.

The trouble is that because all the windows have wonderful views, it is very tempting to "stand and stare" instead of cleaning and polishing, but I do have until 2 p.m. when I am meeting my friend, Michael, for a coffee. Wonder if I could get it done by midday and slip out for a quick walk?

Even sitting here, typing up this journal entry, I am looking out over the chine and can see a jay, several gulls and pigeons and about 10 goats having their breakfast, and getting into the most amazing positions halfway up bushes.

Reminded me of the poem Leisure by William Henry Davies :

What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.

No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep or cows.

No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.

No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night.

No time to turn at Beauty's glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.

No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.

A poor life this is if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.


Think I might just go and make a cup of coffee and then "stand and stare" out of the window for a while!