Soft as a Mouse's Ear

Here I go again!  While lightly buffing the refinished floor this morning an old phrase just popped into my thoughts.  Maybe this is how I contend with housework and other chores, zoning into nicer, happier and long forgotten times.  The tung oil makes the floor feel soft with very little sharp noise.  So far it is what I like and hopefully will remain so.   Thinking of how soft it feels on barefeet brought back "soft as a mouses's ear".  I remember the first time I heard the phrase "soft as a mouse's ear" and asking mom, "how do you know how soft a mouse's ear is"?  She simply said because she had felt one.  Living on a farm we had mice around and in the barn.  One time while doing the milking mom found a mouse nest and of course she made sure I had the chance to learn how soft a mouse's ear is.  Probably some of you are really shuddering to think we would do such a thing but it's all part of the country life.  Snakes are too but heck no, never would I get close enough to one much less touch it.  I'll call it enough with a mouse, wild bunnies and baby peeps.  They are all soft which now reminds me of touching a newborn baby, their skin so soft and the smell of a newborn (I call it a baby smell) is so soothing.  Life is about the young and their innocence.  I doubt many of us look at babies (human or animal) without getting a tender smile or saying, awwwww ♡

Speaking of ears......our little Clara was born with 2 ears standing straight up.  Then came the day she tried scooting out the door when Dick was leaving and got her head shut in the door.  It broke one of her ears which developed a pillow like ear lobe full of blood.  Surgery left her with one droopy ear so now she looks a little silly.  At 13 years old I'm sure she doesn't mind.  Like me, age has a way of changing my priorities and that's a great thing!

Dick put a treat by Clara for when she wakes up.
The old girl gets treated like a queen ♡

Back to soft and let's add gentle to the equation.  I am setting on the back deck with a comfortable breeze, that fall smell, warm sun, fluffy white clouds drifting along and the gentle rustle of the poplar leaves.  Taking deep breaths and letting all of the worries melt away even if it is just for a little while.  At this point all feels right with the world.  Wouldn't it be wonderful if every human could find that moment of peace?  This is my time of year that inspires me in so many ways.  Too much desire for accomplishments and never enough time, especially when I reach the pleasure of relaxing, listening, watching and feeling the contentment.  I could avoid the desire to set and get in this state of mind but then I would miss the glory of the day ♡ I'll just stay here a while longer.

I wish you could feel the breeze, hear the rustling leaves and
and see how the leaves dance and twirl.
Peace in the valley.