Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Red Sunset




I had eaten too much supper. My stomach was full. So I hopped on my bicycle to try and burn off some of those calories - and hopefully get rid of that yukky full feeling you get when you know you've overindulged.

Pedaling down the street, I realized that the daylight was beginning to fade. Oh well, that's o.k. I can still ride in the dark. Anyway, it was another warm summer evening and I was enjoying the smell of freshly cut grass, spicy end-of-summer flowers (don't ask me what kind), and maybe a skunk or two (just kidding).

Swivelling my head from side to side, I watched the road for small animals, who often come out at dusk. I didn't want to run over any poor little critters out for their evening stroll.

Before I knew it, I had reached the end of my street.
Suddenly, I sucked in a deep breath and screeched to a stop!
There spread out before me was the most beautiful sunset I'd seen in ages! I felt totally enveloped in it's fiery orange glow and rosy clouds.

It was absolutely stunning!
And the sun looked just like a red rubber ball. In fact, it reminded me of that song:
"I think it's gonna be alright, yeah, the worst is over now the morning sun is shining like a red rubber ball..."

Well, this was an evening sun - not a morning sun, but it still looked like a red rubber ball in the sky.
Did that mean a nice day tomorrow? Or a really hot one? I couldn't remember the significance of a red sun.... something about "sailor's warning......"

Never mind, I was enjoying the delicious pink and orange glow of the sun as it settled into the trees.

Turning around to go back home, I saw a woman standing in her garden, watering her flowers. Gosh, she looked so placid... so laid-back... like a cow chewing on her cud, not caring what the rest of the world was doing. Couldn't she see the drama of a glorious sunset unfolding right in front of her eyes? Right from her own front lawn?

"What a beautiful sunset!" I called out excitedly.
"Thank you," she replied smiling, turning back to her flowers.

Thank you? Excuse me? So you are responsible for this sunset?

Ah.... then it hit me. She must have heard:
"What a beautiful garden".
A perfect example of a person hearing what they want to!

20 comments:

beckie said...

Red sun at night-sailor's delight.
Red sun at morning-sailor take warning. Or at least that's how I remember it Wendy. So glad you got to enjoy a beautiful sunset. Like the lady watering her garden, I am often too busy to look. And that's a shame because this time of year they are especially pretty. BTW-good for you for riding a bike. Great exercise. I don't know that I could anymore.

Abba's Girl said...

Nothing like ending the day with a brilliant sunset. I got my bike out yesterday, it rained, I put it back in the garage. Hopefully I can ride it Monday morning when I return from Colorado.

Marimoy said...

I loved this post. It's a shame that most of us are to busy to notice the sunrises/sunsets. They are so calming and powerful. More people should stop and enjoy.

mj said...

yep...it's red sky at night, Sailors Delight. Red sky at morning sailors take warning.

I love beautiful sunsets.

Cheryl said...

Thats the thing to do Wendy to look and absorb all that is going on around us.......sunsets are wonderful and calming.......

Perhaps the lady watering her garden had problems or sadness, hence why she looked far away.....

but whatever, you have made me smile again............

Q said...

Dear Wendy,
I am so happy you saw the glorious sunset plus took a beautiful picture! Over the running water your gardening neighbor could not really hear you...glad she heard "Beautiful garden" rather than "wasting water, grow native!"
I miss my bike. My knees just will not let me do much pedaling.
Hugs,
Sherry

Bear Naked said...

Wonderful story and beautiful photo.
We all like to hear what we like.
That is why I wear clothes one size too large.
So everyone can say to me, "Have you lost weight?"

Bear((( )))

Grandmother Goddess of the Garden said...

Stunning indeed! I wanted to thank you for your support and comment on my blog...as you probably know, I'm back home and trying to catch up with reading my favorite blogs...your's is one of them!

Kendra

Anonymous said...

Just found your blog...you have beautiful pictures...you are marked in my favs! Pam
http://ozarklivinandlaughin.blogspot.com

JeanMac said...

Very interesting take on her answer.

Shammickite said...

The lady was engrossed in what she was doing.... maybe she's seen lots of lovely sunsets this year.
Goof for you going out on your bike after dinner.... I like to do that too but I have to admit I'm a bit lazy and should do it more ofen. Look at me now... just sitting in front of the computer when I should be doing something more constructive.

Rose said...

We often miss out on seeing the beauty that's around us --a good lesson for us all, Wendy. Of course, the gardener may have been basking in the beauty of her flowers, too:)
Beckie is right about the saying--glad you were able to enjoy the "delight" this evening!

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful sunset. Thankyou for visiting my blog, I shall be visitng yours regularly :-)

Wendy said...

Thank you Beckie - I knew somebody would enlighten me. Oh, I love to get on my bike - it gives me a sense of freedom. I hope you get an opportunity to try riding - maybe with your grandkids.

Hi Annette - how disappointing. I hope your trip was fun.

Hi Mimi - you must have awesome sunsets and sunrises. My favourite thing when I go on vacation is watching the sunrise or set over the ocean. It's spectacular!

Wendy said...

Hi Mary - I do too. Hope your children will be looking forward to a new school year and you are all enjoying this last summer weekend!

Hi Cheryl, oh those sunsets do make me feel sooooo good. And I'm glad I made you smile.

Hi Sherry - oh I wish you could bike too. Maybe if you tried slowly.... We have watering restrictions here, but hand-held hoses are o.k.
Umm - I didn't take that pic. Sorry to disappoint you - I googled it.

Wendy said...

Hi BearNaked - ha! Good for you - as a teenager I was heavy, so one of my friends advised to "hang out" with girls who were fatter than we were - so we'd look better in comparison! Those were the days.
I often wear loose clothes, just because they are more comfortable.

Hi Kendra - so glad you are back home again. Will check out your blog too. I've missed you.

Hi Pam - thanks for dropping in. Hope to see your blog too.

Wendy said...

Hi JeanMac - human nature, I guess.

Hi Shammickite - our biking season is sooo short. I have to make every minute count!

Hi Rose, yes she might have been basking in her own beauty. Who knows?

Wendy said...

Hi Jo,
Glad you dropped in.

Mary said...

Beckie said it.

Once again, Wendy, I was there with you. I wonder how many people notice the sky? Once, a year ago, I ran away from a group of friends to get my camera. There was a glorious sunset behind them..."sorry" I said. They would have never noticed...

Wendy said...

Glad you could come with me Mary! Wasn't it fun watching the sky turn red? Nature is so full of beauty and there are those who can't or don't see it.