Making lemonade

The bad news is

is that we hit our high temp for the day (6)

at about 7:30 this morning.

Wind chill factors out at around -17.

 

The good news is that the CPW

of my extravagantly expensive down coat

is becoming quite reasonable.

 

 

And for you photo junkies:

 

 

Here's Charlie,

debuting the new kitchen floor.

 





18/365 Snowy Day

Wisps of snowy lace

trail from rooflines to vanish,

Swirling on the wind.



17/365 Bedtime

Keening winds search the

Walls with icy fingers.  Cold

Feet find warmth in pairs.



16/365 Foggy Day

Distant pinpoints of

Light dance behind the murky

Veil of chill, grey fog.



Monday Morning

Another grey week followed by

another grey weekend bringing us to

another grey Monday.

Are you seeing the trend?

 

But the other day a package arrived.

 

 

Packages, as you know, travel with

their own sunshine.

Doesn't a package always put a smile on your face? 

 

I'd recently seen something on Pinterest

that I figured could be replicated at my house.

So I searched Amazon for that *just right* option and ordered this:

 

 

 

to apply to my washing machine.

 

 

 

The dryer has a funny lip under the door which kept me

from running the decal across its front...

 

Bright, cheerful, cheap - always a good combination -

providing a small spot of sunshine in a grey winter.

 

 

 

15/365 Rain

Mournful rivulets

trace a path down dusty panes -

dull, grey winter rain.



14/365 Dusk

Racing against the

setting sun, storm clouds crowd the

weary day’s last light.



13/365 Shadow Play

Sharply etched shadows

shift as the moon climbs behind

the slumbering trees.



12/365 Eastern Sky

 

Time quickens. Dawn’s grey

pearl fades as vibrant pinks spread

the word – a new day.



11/365

Swirling icy winds

play among bare-twigged branches

bent against the sky.



24 Hours

We hear it all the time -

 

the difference that 24 hours can make in a life.

 

News, or an event, whether

unexpected or

anxiously awaited

can truly change everything.

google images

 

 

Yesterday at this time I was excited,

full of anticipation and energy,

ready to tackle the day's projects.

 

I felt strong, confident, capable.

I performed my tasks at home and walked

to work with a sure, firm step.

 

And then, betrayal.

 

My knee buckled while I was working.

I don't even have an interesting story to tell.

I was simply walking from point A to point B.

There is no tale of derring-do

or athletic prowess gone awry

to chronicle my pain.

 

There was pain.

A reasonable, manageable pain.

 

What is unreasonable

is the effect this has had on me.

Yes, prudence would skip my morning workout. 

Skip painting the base cabinets.

But I find myself

reluctant

to trust the knee with ordinary expectations.

 

Suddenly I don't feel strong.

 

Even with the ordinary and inevitable

processes of aging

I've never felt vulnerable or challenged by

a brush with middle-age mortality.

The unwelcome spectre of change or limitation

 has never been an active threat.

Until today.

 

Even as I write this I recognize a certain level

of over-reaction.

I'm not given to over-reacting.

I'm calm and sensible.

It's only a wrenched knee for Pete's sake!

 

But most of us - even on our most rational days - look for

the small markers that may signal

a need for attention.

Today I'll adjust my plans

take it easy

probably even drive to work.

 I'll no doubt take an inventory of goals

and reasonable expectations;

make an examination of current routines.

There's a challenge here and I can already

sense a response.  

 

What do I need to do to safeguard

my expectations?

 

 

 

 

 



10/365 Dawn

Sharp white contrails pierce

dawn’s coral bands as heavy

eyes watch the sun rise.



9/365 Winter Sun

Winter sun shines bright

but false, telling shameless lies,

mocking my cold bones.



If you're wondering...

It. is. cold.

Just cold.

 

Generally, the poem I post each day contains

my observations

from the previous day.

A system that works for me.

 

I know it's early but I'm already having

trouble with the idea

that my impressions of today will be

dominated by flannels and sweatshirts and

hot oatmeal...

 

The birds have taken refuge somewhere out of

the wind.  I wish them well.

The sun is up but is telling the most

shameless lies.

 

It. is. cold.

 

So, I'm enjoying my hot oatmeal

with blueberries.

 

The tantalizing aroma of spinach puffs is moving from

the oven into my office area.

mmmmm

 

When I finish this post it will be time for flannels and a sweatshirt

so I can get to work.

The plan is to prime, paint and hang

the cupboard doors

and to start on the base cabinets.

 

We're making progress.

There are nine boxes of flooring in the back entry.

Walls have changed color.

The railing is gone.

(really gone - I can hear the garbage truck outside right now!)

 

My day is waiting - hope all is well for you...

 

 

8/365 Fresh Snow

Soft and light a clean

blanket gently covers all

offering no warmth.



Sunday Morning

Over the years there has been one phrase

- three little words -

that never fails to make my heart race.

I heard it again this morning.

*sigh*

Hold the ladder.
 

google images

 

 

 



 

7/365 Winter Sky

Cloudless blue sky, bright

but chill, an endless page for

Winter’s long lament.



6/365 Night Sounds

Raging winds assail

the night.  Tattered dreams await

dawn’s promised repose.



5/365 The Cardinal

Crimson elegance

alights to dine, bold against

winter’s grey landscape.

4/365 Sunrise

Crimson streaks fade to

pink heralding a new day,

sunrise on the Plains.



3/365 - January Moon

Sliver-thin crescent

gleams, nestled in the velvet

bosom of winter.

2/365 - Squirrels

 

Saucy acrobats

perform in treetops framed by

my kitchen window.



365 Day Challenge

I mentioned in a recent post that I was considering a 365 day challenge.

There were, as there always are,

several factors involved in the decision.

 

Discipline, creative outlet,

mid-life yearnings

for something different, yet essentially me;

something that requires a stretch while feeling rather comfortable

all played their part.

 

 

Moving from "mulling it over" to

"publish post" was maybe the hardest part of the process.
 

So, today I give you the first of

 

365 Haiku for Your Consideration 

 

 

Winter’s sun kisses

my face, teasing.  Icy breath
belies the caress.


Stop back, follow along, come with me...

 

 



Patience rewarded!

I figured out where to find my photos.

 

This will have to do for a "before" shot:

 

 

 

Cupboards are already door-less and empty.

 

 

Here are a couple not-quite-after shots:

 

 

I love the color.

 



Projects abound

We're painting in the kitchen.

(As you may well guess I forgot to take "before" pictures - oops!)

Project one.

 

I'm also still learning the new laptop Tim gave me for Christmas

so even though I did take several

"here-we-are-in-the-middle-of-the-process" pictures

I don't know how to edit and add them.

So, computer:

Project 2.

 

Of course, if you're pulling doors from cupboards

you're going to clean, sort, toss the contents:

Project 3.

 

Starting yard sale piles for this spring:

Project 4.

 

My attention has been piqued by this blog:

Cute and ...cute - take a look.

So, rather uncharacteristically, I bought the book.

Just like that.

Kindle edition - instant scratch for that

particular itch.

I plan to pursue a 365 challenge of my own.

Soon.

Project 5.

 

And some well defined strategies like

 going to bed earlier

getting more exercise

looking for humor

for a

healthier, happier me.

Project 6.

 

 

 

 

 

January- again!?

Whew! 

 

As I sat down the other night it hit me - the holidays are finished. 

No crochet hooks, knitting needles or yarn in hand.

Lists have been completed and tossed.

We neither have, nor are, company. 

The suitcases are empty and back in storage.

Time belongs to us once again.

 

So, of course, I immediately began

planning new projects. 

 Making a list or two.

Scheduling a trip.

 

Even if we avoid the pull of "resolutions"

it is all but impossible to forego

the opportunities for reflection that come with a new year.

 

Health?  Check.

Family?  Check.

Travel plans?  Check.

Creative license?  Check.

Changes?  Opportunities? Commitments?

Check, check and check.

 

My daughter left for Haiti this morning - a medical mission.

When she returns house hunting begins.

She and Aidan hope to be in their own place by May.

It has been a tough year for them.

We've helped as we could but it's not our life.

The hard blows and tough decisions have been hers.

We watch, wait, take our cues and do our best

but she handles it.

We're proud and amazed by her clear-headed strength.

 

My son is busy with studies again this year.

Pre-med.

He'll be back in the garden as soon as possible.

It sounds like chickens are part of the plan for this spring.

A wedding is also on the calendar.

At times the west coast seems another world

and we feel the separation keenly.

Weekly phone calls are part of his routine and we

treasure each one.

We're proud of the direction he's taking.

 

My mother turns eighty next week.

She works - too many hours - because

she likes having money.

It makes me laugh to hear her say that.

She has an Alaskan cruise scheduled this spring.

Everything will be interesting to her

and she'll come home full of stories to share.

She'll probably ask to steer the ship!

 

I obviously come from hardy stock and

 am pleased to see the next generation holding their own.  

My own plans for the year ahead are somewhat vague.

My primary role for many years

was accommodation and orchestration.

And I'm good at that but feel the need for a bigger plan.

So we'll see what the next few weeks bring.

Resolutions? Probably not.

Resolve? Sounds good.