dawn to dusk

This past weekend, in the Adirondacks, this is what I saw when I woke up every morning.

I slept with the window open, all three nights, even though it was chilly and even though on the first night, apparently I stole all the covers and my husband was freezing.

But I couldn’t help it. Couldn’t help wanting to hear the wind whispering through the trees. Couldn’t help wanting to smell the scent of trees and forest and the nearby lake. Couldn’t help wishing that I was sleeping right out there, under the trees and the stars.

The stars that were visible, so visible, up there away from city lights and pollution, the Milky Way clear as day. Well, okay not clear as day, but very clearly swirling its way across the universe.

The air smells different there, clean and crisp. At home, where I live, it is the country and the air here is very fresh and clean, but, still, you can smell the difference, there in the mountains.

I lay there each night, after everyone else was asleep, lay there for hours actually, because I couldn’t sleep, and looked out this same window, in the dark, thinking and listening.

I used to be afraid of windows at night. When I was a very young teenager I saw a movie about witches and there was a scene involving a window at night that took me years to get over. I know that sounds ridiculous, but it’s true. For years, afterwards, well before dark I made sure that every blind and curtain was closed.

Silly me.

Look what I missed.


13 Responses to “dawn to dusk”

  • Skye Says:

    Looks so wonderful!! I’m glad you kept the windows open! Lucky you…

  • Jillsy Says:

    I so wish we could open our bedroom windows at night, but they are painted shut! When we’re at the lake we have a sliding glass door in our bedroom so I leave it open when the temperature is right (and no pollen in the air – which is a short window down here in the south).

    Beautiful scene through the window, although it looks like we’re looking through the top of an arbor.

  • Kristin Says:

    My favorite photo of yours EVER. Just. Amazing.

  • Kathryn Says:

    I often have trouble sleeping and there’s nothing I love more than looking at the night sky through a window when all is quiet and it’s dark outside. It’s even more magical when there’s a full moon and I never tire of the view.

  • Erin Says:

    What a gorgeous view! I can imagine it with the stars shining down . .

  • Krista Says:

    Amazing time of year isn’t it? The colours are incredible!

  • Liz Says:

    I spoke about my career in public health to students a couple of days ago & mostly spoke about fear & how it’s always worse in our heads. It amazes me that you always write about something that is currently swirling in my head & heart. I just adore your photos & your words & you.

  • beth Says:

    i would have done the same thing…including stealing the covers and ending up with a freezing hubby…..

  • Carola Bartz Says:

    I can’t sleep if the windows are closed, no matter how cold it is. You just need enough blankets (like – from your husband…)

  • Debi Says:

    I would hate the chilliness, I know I would, but still. There is nothing like the outside under the night. I miss with all my heart a house where I used to live – it sat high and was old and the ceilings were tall and the windows were huge – I was able to cover just the bottom half of each window & still have complete privacy. And that meant always, always seeing the sky , the day, the night, the weather, the colors of the world. I still dream about that house.

    xoxo

  • whollyjeanne Says:

    oh yes. just pile on more quilts and blankets! i also love the shadows the trees make when the sun hits just right. but the windows don’t have to be open for that. if they’ve been washed in the past 22 years or so.

  • dahlila Says:

    I grew up in the mountains. I was a kid curtain-closer too. Now, the smell of home is undoubtedly the cleanest, lung fillng, must have breath ever. I’d sleep with the windows open too. 🙂
    dahlila xxoo

  • Marcie Says:

    Me too – I’m one who wants to sleep with the windows open..in spite of the cold night air. There is nothing but beauty in it!

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