Monday, March 1, 2010

Garden Bloggers' Muse Day - March 2010

Click on the logo below to join the fun.
You'll also find more information at the end of my post.
It's March and we can, before long, look towards leaving Winter behind!


I'd originally created this post for February... but changed my mind. We'll just now have look back at January's weather while enjoying one of my favorite Winter poems.


Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
by Robert Louis Stevenson

Whose woods these are I think I know
His house is in the village, though;

He will not see me stopping here

To watch his woods fill up with snow.



My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near

Between the woods and frozen lake

The darkest evening of the year.




He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.

The only other sound's the sweep

Of easy wind and downy flake.




The woods are lovely, dark and deep,

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.



This is our little dog, Sidney... on his way to the Raised Beds Garden.


Perhaps not miles to go, anymore... if we're talking about Sidney (above). :-)

He is now 16 years old. He's been a great little pal and house dog. His hearing is no longer acute, nor is his vision. His naps leave him stiff and needing to "come to" before attempting to move very far or fast. He cannot negotiate more than a couple of stairs... sometimes needing to be carried up even those.

Sidney remains very affectionate, though. He continues to be good company and loves to go for a (non-challenging) walk. He's more of a "licker" than he used to be. He "talks" more than ever. And he likes to be where we are. He's still a good little friend.

Actually, perhaps there are a few more miles to go...
:-)

Want to participate in Garden Bloggers' Muse Day? Visit Carolyn Gail at Sweet Home and Garden Chicago. Join in by posting on the first day of each month and leaving your comment on her site. :-)

18 comments:

Rosemary said...

Lovely tribute to Sidney.What a wonderful friend .

Rose said...

This is my very favorite poem, Shady; in fact, I've always thought of it as the mantra of my life. Beautiful photos to accompany it!

Dear Sidney--I wish him many more "miles to go."

joey said...

Happy Monday March Muse Day, Shady :) Like Rose, this is one of my favorite poems and your photos, lovely. I'm in awe of our sunny Monday morning. Yea March ~ coming in like a lamb!

Kate/High Altitude Gardening said...

This poem is a favorite of mine, too, Shady. And, Sidney sounds like a sweet good buddy for walks in the woods. Happy Muse Day!

Catherine@AGardenerinProgress said...

What a nice poem, and perfect pictures to go with it.
Sidney is sure a cute dog, I hope he has at least a few more miles to go.

Noelle Johnson said...

Isn't it amazing how you look upon winter once the calendar has changed to March? Your wintery photos are just beautiful. What a blessing to have such a faithful companion for all these years.

Gail said...

Classic and beautiful winter scenes Shady...and a wonderful Frost poem to accompany them. Sidney sounds like the best puppy~I just realized that Coal is now ten! Wow!

Kathleen said...

I hope he has more miles to go Shady Gardener. What a sweet dog he looks like. They are such great companions, aren't they?

Northern Beauty Seeker said...

I love this poem. What a sweet dedication to cute Sidney. With the snow flakes you have on blog drifting down it really adds to the atmosphere. Lovely photos!

Anonymous said...

Hi SG~~ I remember reading this poem to my kids years ago. Art work, similar to your photography accompanied the words and the two evoked such warm feelings I can't explain. And today was a blessed trip back. Thank you, SG!

joco said...

Perfect post.
Topical too :-)
I can sympathise with your doggie's limitations, including being stiff after a nap. Ever decreasing circles.

You can hear the poet yawn in the last line, can't you?

Larry said...

As a former Vermonter, I love Robert Frost poetry... it really brings back memories of my youth! LC

F Cameron said...

Your Sidney sounds like such a sweetheart. Such loyal friends, aren't they?

Wishing Sidney many, many more miles ahead.

Shady Gardener said...

Wish I could respond to each of you. I'd like to thank you for stopping to read this post and taking time to leave a note. :-)

Best wishes for a great week... we've had 7 sunny days in a row, and that does have one looking towards Spring! :-)

Karen - An Artist's Garden said...

Perfect combination of images and RLS's poem.

The last one of Sidney is so poignant - I also have a 16 year old dog.
K

troutbirder said...

One of my favotie poems ever. And the pictures fit it just right.

Shady Gardener said...

Hi Karen, then you understand. :-)

Hi troutbirder, Thanks. I'd have guessed you'd have liked this poem. :-)

Anonymous said...

Wonderful photos to accompany the poem. Hopefully soon, the landscape will change from white to green with bursts of color mixed in.