Garden conversation

Every spring I have a (mostly) silent conversation with my flower beds by the house.  They lie near large red oak trees and in autumn the leaves gently fall and cover the beds.;  keeping the plants and bulbs warm under the winter snow and ice.  Decomposing leaves are good for the soil as they keep the moisture in the soil, and the weeds at bay, so I keep some of the leaves in the beds.  The daffodils, however, have other ideas, they want to be free of the leaf cover.  As they poke several inches above the leaves, this morning they called me out to uncover them.  There is still a bit of snow in front of the garden shed but I pulled out a rake, and the wheelbarrow and gently uncovered the beds.

Iris sprigs are only an inch above the ground, tulips are peeking out, fragile blue scilla, hollyhock leaves at the very edge.   No sign of the hostas, they are waiting for warmer soil and spring rains.  The daffodils will bloom by Steven's birthday, some of them perhaps earlier.  The soil is cold, it isn't time to begin planting....although I have located by gladiola bulbs and have garden seeds and can't wait to begin digging in the dirt!

Snowshoeing

Silence as I snowshoe in the woods this morning.  The snow is deep, yet my snowshoes let me glide along the top of the drifts.  Snow is gently falling from branches overhead with a puff of wind.  Ah, but there are sounds; a distant caw of a crow, the snort of an unseen buck warning other deer of my presence, screech of a blue jay, a gliding red tailed hawk soaring from a tall pine tree.

I blazed a new trail along the southern edge of our woods, no houses in sight, or sound of humanity.  The wandering takes me through a young grove of aspen with tracks of deer that have eaten any new buds.   I come across a deer "highway" with evidence of spots where they have bedded down for the night.  Their trails are easier to follow, missing the dense bushes, and buckthorn.  Far in the distance, I hear the hum of a snowmobile, others finding joy in the outdoors, yet missing the solitude of the woods.   Suddenly above me, the flutter of a wild turkey taking off from its perch on a tall tree branch.  

Back on the trail, the sight of our log home ahead.

Visions of Self

I spent time browsing for clothes online, only to decide there really isn't anything I want to buy.  My closet is full, my needs are met.   


Yet......in my mind, I wear flowing skirts of bold design, topped by a whispery peasant blouse in muted earth tones, and sandals on my feet.  I wear blue jeans, with funky boots, jackets in primary colors.  


Alas, the clothes in my closet, incorporate the practical needs of a business office, flat shoes for traveling the manufacturing floor, too much black.   Perhaps it is time to clean out the closet and get back to the vision of myself.  Not today, instead I will choose a skirt and a top to reflect the rose colors of the rising sun.

Wolf Moon

The full moon is in the western sky, watching over us.  A cold, winter night with the moon glinting on the crystalline snow.  In my perfect world, I would stay here and hike through the woods on my snowshoes in the moonlight.  Made a pot of coffee and turned on the computer instead.  Skype with Liz, and thoughts of getting ready for the work day.

An exciting work day ahead, completing negotiations on a metal contract.  New tooling orders to order material, a challenging transportation dilemma and time to get to it!

Last day of 2010

2010 began with a phone call.  My sister-in-law, Tanya McBride, died from cancer in the early hours of January 1, 2010.  From that beginning, it caused me to realize there is no time to delay.  Every day must be lived to the fullest.    For me, that doesn't mean jumping out of an airplane, or taking a trip around the world.  It is being aware of the moments and beauty of each and every day, and learning to be content with my surroundings.

As others reminisce about what they accomplished in 2010,  I want to think of the blessings I have today.  My husband, children, family members are near and dear to me.  I have a warm house, a job that pays the bills and some money in the bank.  That is enough for the moment.    Is the perfect life?  No.  It is the life I have chosen, deliberately.   Should I coast, and not make changes that are needed?  No.  There are things to be improved.  

The people I love need to know they are loved.  That is all that really matters.

Today is the day

Liz sent me a message taken from Fearless Living, it was a long post with many adages of how to fully live.  All things that I know and sometimes forget.   The lasting message from the post is "Today is the day".   The author meant the day to take action, I take it as living in the present moment.  I will do what is needed for the moment - not dwell on worries of tomorrow.

Tomorrow may not come.

Today is the day.

Birthday, 2010

Today I turn 55 years old.  I have never felt middle aged, however, at 55 what else can one call it?  I tell people I am going to live until I am 104, so perhaps now I have reached the middle of my life.   What have I been doing until now:  spent an amazing childhood on a farm with TEN brothers and sisters, college, marriage, college, work, marriage, four amazing, wonderful children.  

The next 50 years - what will they bring?  Serenity, contentment, inner peace,   I am going to annoy crabby people and reverse their negative energy with my optimism.   I'm going to smile more, and worry less.

My first action will be to go back to bed and get the Elton John "It's 4:00 in the morning........." phrase out of my head.