I'm not usually an early riser, but this morning it seemed like a good idea to try it. So after an early visit to the bathroom, I did not go back to bed as I usually would. Instead I had an early breakfast, and then went out for a walk already at 07:15. (My working days are so far back in history now that can't even remember when I was last out that early. Once upon a time I used to start work at that time, though, so must have been up and out even earlier!)
The reason today was of course just knowing that it's going to get too hot later (see yesterday's post). And already at this early hour, I found that I preferred to keep in the shadow for the most part.
Luckily, the old cemetery with its huge old trees is only a few minutes away. I did not go any further, but just strolled around there for about 40 minutes before returning home. It was me, the birds - and cemetery staff already busy with hoses and watering cans...
I liked how the morning light fell on this old grave.
The little fountain near the funeral chapel adds a refreshing splashing sound - a good place to sit for a while on a hot day (I know since many summers before).
Not a cloud in the sky; and the hydrangea climbing on the cemetery wall was buzzing with what must have been hundreds of bumble bees, in the sunny spot next to this gate. (You probably won't be able to see the bees in this photo though - I can't!)
The last photo, with the water sprinkler (and rainbow!), was taken on another day and at a somewhat later hour. But the sprinklers were on in the same spot when I passed there this morning too.
Casting a glance at the clock on the wall in my study just now, it says 11:15 (summer time). I can hardly believe that. Feels like a lot later in the day for me... Pretending to be an early bird for a change is really messing with my inner sense of time!
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"An early bird" is an idiom that refers to a person who wakes up early in the morning, arrives before others, or acts ahead of schedule to gain an advantage.
The term originates from the classic proverb, "The early bird catches the worm".
(AI summary)
You did well going for a walk when you did, Monica! I like your shadow silhouette with the hat. The old cemetery is a good place to be this time of year, with the big old trees allowing you to be in the shade.
ReplyDeleteWith one of my friends who lives close by, we try to go for a morning walk before work regularly, depending of course on our schedules with meetings and calls, but this week it wasn't possible, as on Monday and Tuesday I was on a business trip and on Wednesday and Thursday I worked at the office. Hopefully next week we'll manage.
Meike, at least during the rather weird rest of the day keeping rarher still in semi-darkness indoors (~26C and two fans running) I've been able to remind myself that I actually did go out, even if at an unusual time...
DeleteWell done Monica to walk in the cooler early hours. The cemetery is a lovely place to walk with so many trees and flowers. Keep cool.
ReplyDeleteTerra - keeping cool is easier said than done. 33'C predicted for today (pm).
DeleteThat was a lovely time to go for a walk, peaceful, still and quiet. The day does seem to be so much further advanced than it is when you get up so early, though!
ReplyDeleteJanice, even more so today. It's 10 am and I've already been out for an early walk, back home before thunder and rain set in, with a very temporary sense of "fresh air" for a while, but now heating up again and may rise to 33'C in the afternoon...
DeleteAI at the bottom describes me to the in-th degree! Staying up late messes with my time and I rarely do it. I have not slept past 3 am but 5 or 6 times and that was in the last month, I got so tired I went back to bed and slept til 5 twice and once to 8, I was messed up for days.
ReplyDeleteYou know I love this cemetery and that chapel is just beautiful. I finish my walk with Beau about 7:15 each day, we leave at 6:20 each day now. when the sun comes up over the trees it is just way to hot to walk
Sandra, our temporary heat wave does make me better understand why you're up and out so early... ;)
DeleteWhat a lovely start to the day. The light on that old grave is beautiful, and your quiet walk sounds so peaceful. Early mornings really do have their own kind of magic. Thanks for coming over to visit my blog. :)
ReplyDeleteCarrie, that cemetery is always a peaceful place for a walk - I was just out unusually early because of the heat. (And again today...)
DeleteThe light at this time of the morning is pretty. But now your post makes me want a nap. I love the sprinkler shot! It looks like beads of water just hanging in the air!
ReplyDeleteGinny, yes, on a hot day the sprinklers give a very refreshing feeling - even if one keeps out of reach from getting a shower... ;)
DeleteI've been waking with first light for the last few years...wherever I am. Then I rise at dawn. But I'm in no way an early bird. Except to catch a couple of laundry machines first thing so I can have an opportunity to finish my clothes washing and drying before there are others in the laundry room. It can be crowded if even two people are arranging clothes in driers or washers. Keep on shooting those pretty shots at the cemetery!
ReplyDeleteBarbara, the laundry room in my building is for one person/apartment at a time (only one washing machine) and as I'm not usually such an early bird, I always try to book the afternoon rather than the morning...
DeleteI go to bed late and get up late. Early mornings are for binmen and tweeting birds. That first image could provide the cover picture for a novel "Murder In Borås" by Dawn Treader - featuring the detective sleuth Dr Monica Sausage.
ReplyDeleteYP - "Sausage"...? I think I'll have to change that, at least... ;)
DeleteIt's a beautiful cemetery! So many plots with beds of living flowers! Ours are mostly grey and dusty, any flowers likely to be plastic and faded.
ReplyDeleteRiver, old graves get re-used here - usually for ash burials now. Every grave has to have a living person responsible for the care of it (either doing it themselves or paying for it), or else the grave is returned to the church* and can be re-used. (A certain number of years has to have passed since the last burial, though.) *The Church of Sweden - no longer state church, but still handling nearly all cemeteries in the country.
DeleteAn early morning stroll beneath old trees, accompanied only by birdsong, sounds like the perfect way to beat the heat
ReplyDeleteRo, just now early morning does seem the best time of day to be out...
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