This is the part I’ve been waiting for. We’re doing a miniscule stint through Charles Town and Shepherdstown, WV. Two short gigs – one bar, one outdoor artsy thing – and we’ll be visiting with some friends and playing with one of my absolute favourite people and oldest friends, Lea… but what I’ve been eagerly awaiting is this stay here at the Pump House on Cool Springs Farm. We got in after our gig last night, winding through tiny roads and watching for deer, rolling into this tiny cottage at around 11 at night or so – but then I spent the next hour stargazing and practicing some night sky photography. Heather and I settled in, read for a couple of hours and slowly fell asleep.
The next morning though – this is perfection. I’m trying to count the layered sounds. The temperature is cool and the breeze slow – just enough to counter the warmth of the sun. I’m sticking to the shadows of the huge stone walls of the Pump House itself and watching squirrels and birds and listening. I think I must’ve woke up at around 9am, sat outside and ate breakfast, read and watched butterflies, sat and watched bugs…
There’s the constant burr of late-summer bugs, the more distinct buzz of cicadas. One bird that trills off to my left and one sharper, more plaintive cry of some bird to my right. This porch has obviously been vacant for a little while and the half-seen shimmers of cobwebs and spider threads crisscross all the lawn furniture. I’m sure I’ll look like I’ve just escaped Mirkwood when I stand back up. There are a lot of small, single-engine airplanes going by breaking the not-silence – there must be some kind of airfield not too far away – and there are some exquisite windchimes down the hill. Other than that, off in the distance an occasional train blows its whistle and closer in, the occasional crunch of the gravel road as some neighbour comes or goes.
Some sort of waterbird or frog has just discussed the day with me with a “gomp, gomp, gomp” and a splash into the stream hidden in the grasses down the hill.
Last time we were here I took a lot of photos and wandered pretty widely. Today I’m just enjoying the sounds… I’m tempted to set up a recorded and try to capture it – but that would mean moving again. Every once in a while I can hear voices drifting in from the woods off in the distance – but I haven’t seen any sign of other people yet this morning. There must be houses closer than I think through the forest, but there’s the impression of being pretty isolated. Rustle of leaves falling, something hitting branches on its way down to meet the earth. Distant rooster crow who’s missed his cue by hours.
HUMMING BIRD!!!
LEA and Will performing with us in Shepherdstown, WV.
