The morning was still and blue and clear and the sun had softened the frost and the leaves were golden on the green lawn. Weather is coming. The radio is full of sheep grazier alerts and bushwalking warnings. In the bare grape vine outside the laundry door a grey fantail twitched its tail and clicked its beak. I was still in my pjs, had spent the early morning at my desk. The small bird chided. So I turned away from the washing basket, from the invoices waiting to be sent, the books humming to be read, the words needing to be written.
Beautiful observations. I'm not a farm person, not really even a dog person, but you had me at 'The morning was huge and open. The dogs were spinning tops.' Ugh. Love it. Thank you!
Thanks Maggie, as I read this my 5 yr old boof head boxer and my new baby boxer 10 weeks old we’re doing their rough fun play which I’m still adjusting to, so I ignored their noises and playful growls while immersed in your sit spot, 😂
I love you’re writing - this piece especially took me right back to my childhood in Western Qld where I grew up on a sheep property. Very nostalgic thank you!
You are my favorite writer. First it's this, and then this. Everything alive and honest. Good lord what am I to do but put my keyboard down. It took my goddamned breath away THIS! --"Last night I had crept to bed a foreigner in my own life. The reasons aren’t important, but I wonder if you know the feeling? I felt my choices to have been bad ones, my courage not sufficient, my discipline lacking, and under this the rising swell of having failed at some test, at having stood still when I should have worked harder, at having left, unrealised, a different sort of life. Midlife, I hear you oldies mutter, keep on. But the melancholy had stayed."
Always a joy to read. Enjoying a few weeks of Winter in country Victoria and loving the sheep and lambs, the vegetation, the magic skies and bird life. James the Corgi always makes me smile. We had a very plump Corgi named Lucky who used to follow us into the calving paddock beside our home along with four kids, a couple of farm dogs and two cats. Her short legs meant she had to be lifted into the water trough for a swim. Working my way through all the Women Behind Wool podcasts - so many wonderful, inspiring stories. 🌹
Beautiful observations. I'm not a farm person, not really even a dog person, but you had me at 'The morning was huge and open. The dogs were spinning tops.' Ugh. Love it. Thank you!
Thanks Maggie, as I read this my 5 yr old boof head boxer and my new baby boxer 10 weeks old we’re doing their rough fun play which I’m still adjusting to, so I ignored their noises and playful growls while immersed in your sit spot, 😂
Thank you for beautiful writing - as always. Have just secured Audrey Magee’s “The Colony”…..can’t wait to read it!
I love you’re writing - this piece especially took me right back to my childhood in Western Qld where I grew up on a sheep property. Very nostalgic thank you!
A 5am read - thoroughly enjoyed. It could not have been better placed today.
You are my favorite writer. First it's this, and then this. Everything alive and honest. Good lord what am I to do but put my keyboard down. It took my goddamned breath away THIS! --"Last night I had crept to bed a foreigner in my own life. The reasons aren’t important, but I wonder if you know the feeling? I felt my choices to have been bad ones, my courage not sufficient, my discipline lacking, and under this the rising swell of having failed at some test, at having stood still when I should have worked harder, at having left, unrealised, a different sort of life. Midlife, I hear you oldies mutter, keep on. But the melancholy had stayed."
Nancy B
Always a joy to read. Enjoying a few weeks of Winter in country Victoria and loving the sheep and lambs, the vegetation, the magic skies and bird life. James the Corgi always makes me smile. We had a very plump Corgi named Lucky who used to follow us into the calving paddock beside our home along with four kids, a couple of farm dogs and two cats. Her short legs meant she had to be lifted into the water trough for a swim. Working my way through all the Women Behind Wool podcasts - so many wonderful, inspiring stories. 🌹