77/365 Anticipation

A subtle sheen on

 Bare branches stirs the dormant

Heart with fresh visions

76/365 A Change in the Air

Honest Spring sunshine

Brings everyone outdoors to

Visit, dawdle, bask.



Friday Evevning

Quick!

Name the last time you felt sorry for a squirrel!!

 

google images

 

Yesterday morning throughout the whole

 neighborhood the sound of

cardinals, finches

and robins

(there were/are others)

was replaced by the drone of power tools.

Not your average

grass blower

(though I have heard them recently)

but the deep throaty roar of big chainsaws.

The neighbor behind us was having his tree trimmed.

At least that's what I thought.

 

I will admit it was fun to watch them

rig all the support cables and then one guy

began to pull himself up the tree in his harness;

 a skillful, oddly elegant, process.

 

Saws were raised,

 branches were lowered,

breaks were taken

and I had to leave.

 

 When I returned several hours later

the silence was the first clue that the job was finished.

Imagine my surprise when I realized

that the tree hadn't been trimmed

it had been removed!!

 

It was a towering maple

and I can't help but think of all the history

that tree has seen.

I hate seeing trees cut down

and this one was a beauty!

I honestly hope that it was an agonizing

 decision for the neighbors.

 

There were so many birds and squirrels

that made their home in that tree.

The poor squirrels just kept running back to sit

on the stump as if maybe this time

the tree would be there.

 

I know - they're squirrels - even so

they had my sympathy.

 

 

75/365 Soundtrack

A great tree felled. The

Thrum of soulless power tools

Broadcasts its demise.



74/365 Housekeeping

Breathe.  Head up, shoulders

Back.  Reach deep for cleansing peace. 

Force out the stale.  Breathe.

73/365 Spring Rites

The morning’s fresh breeze

Carries ancient echoes as

Bird song fills the air.



72/365 Tuesday

Morning sunshine brings

A bright outlook to my day

And disposition.



71/365 Spring Snow

Poor Robin Redbreast

Huddled in the shelter of

Snow-covered bowers.



70/365 Comfort

Familiar faces,

Kindly voices, helping hands

Ease the weary heart.



69/365 Friday

Another stolen

Sunset as storm clouds, once more,

Obscure western skies.



Friday Night

It seems like it's been a long week.

Maybe because twenty four hours just doesn't seem

like enough time anymore.

Or maybe just because I'm weary of the grey skies

and another impending weekend storm.

 

Naphtali is still house hunting - and beginning

 to show signs of fatigue. 

She faces an insanely competitive market.

Yesterday, a house entered the market at 1pm. 

 By the time she saw it several hours later

multiple offers had already been made.

 

The previous week she wrote an offer

- for a flip -

at 15k over the asking price.

She found out later that the high bid was

more than 25k over the asking price.

Insane, yes?

 

We talk pretty much every day.

I keep making soothing, supportive sounds:

you'll find the right one

you still have time

you'll get this figured out

let us know...

 

All true.

All sincere.

All beginning to sound  - to me - like:

blaahblaahblaahblaahblaah.

 

It doesn't seem like enough.

 

My heart aches to see her in this position.

We would/will help in any way we can.

(and she knows that)

 

But the reality is that this process is hers to complete.

We wait.

We listen.

We wait.

 

It doesn't seem like enough.

 

The broken arms and misplaced toys of childhood

become the lost innocence and broken dreams of adulthood.

Both our kids are smart and strong.

They are capable and compassionate adults.

They make of proud.

They make us laugh.

Sometimes they make us long for the days when troubles

could be kissed away.

 

Our children's fears change as they grow older.

Mine remains fairly constant:

I hope I got this right.

 

 

 

68/365 Contentment

The lolling cat turns,

Basting evenly in the

Afternoon sunshine.



67/365 Morning

Brittle cold seeps through

The covers spoiling my warm

Repose – time to rise.



66/365 Futility

Like dust before a

Fierce wind words meant to comfort

Seem formless and void.

65/365 Stillness

Roiling thoughts obscure

Desired dreams - a quiet

Heart restores vision.



Monday

 

 



 

 



 

 

This is one of the things Aidan and I did during his visit.

His went home as a spot of color/cheer

for Naphtali.

 

 

 

I brought the dirt and grass seed in the house to warm up

for a few days before we planted.

This is one week's growth.

 

The plumber came today and I'm happy to report that

our sink (both sides!) and disposal are working.

Yippee!!

 

 

This was my project this afternoon:
 

 



It seemed silly not to make use of the back of the cabinet

Clock, calendar, reminders, recipes

all need a place for easy access.

Here it is.  For now.  

Something better may come along...

All the supplies were already in the house

and I love a free project. 



 

The ribbon is tacked to the top of the cabinet.

Super-size paper clips allow papers

to be posted for easy access.

The calendar shares a magnetic board with recipes.

Teapot and pitchers fill the top.

 

 

Yesterday was spent measuring and cutting the

beadboard for the backsplash.

Today I put the first coat of spar varnish on everything.

 

Tonight I watch Anna Karenina.

 

 

 

64/365 Snowy Hush

No sound of trilling

Bird or teasing squirrel breaks

The snow’s silent weight.



63/365 Dusk

Darting, diving birds

Slice the chill March air seeking

Shelter at day’s end.



Sunday Afternoon

 

 

We had a great time last week with Aidan who

went home on Friday.

Thanks to Brian and Stacy who had him

over to play with their boys

 

Fresh snow and cold temps forestalled any plans

Aidan and Grandpa had to work on the tree house

but made it easier to manage two dogs

who love to be outside.

 

Aidan impressed me with the patience he demonstrated toward

 us as we tried to keep up with him

on a computer game.

I've promised to practice my gaming skills before we meet again.

Which will be in a couple weeks (!) - for his birthday.

 

The countertop arrived as promised on Monday.

The plumber will be here tomorrow to

finish the garbage disposal etc.

Yippee!!

 

Yesterday we spent a good part of the day

discussing and discarding ideas

for the backsplash.  Somehow, overnight, plans

took shape and today supplies have been purchased,

 measurements made and the

cutting and piecing begun!  

 

We're both just plain tired.

 

 

62/365 Reveille

Song bursts from every

Direction as birds trumpet

Their morning’s greetings.



61/365 Friday Morning

Heavy eyes mirror

A bleak morning sky heavy

With shapeless grey clouds.



60/365 Days End

Sleep lays siege and, though

Resistance is fierce, conquers

The resolute child.



59/365 Flight

Like north-bound geese on

The fly each day passes with

unrelenting beat.

58/365 Monday

Cogent thoughts, like dry

Leaves caught on an autumn wind,

Dance just out of reach.



Monday Morning

It's snowing.

Again.

 

As tempting as it is to grouse about the weather

the moisture is very much needed and very much appreciated.

We're all safe, warm, cozy.

What's to complain?

 

I've already been out to shovel

built a nice fire

have clothes in the wash

dogs in and out several times...

 

Naphtali brought Aidan down on Saturday night

to spend his spring break with us.

The plan was for her to hit the road this morning

but the vagaries of  Midwestern weather will

keep her here a while longer.

 

She can either join Aidan and I in our planned activities

or we'll just work around her.

 

Some of those activities have already been adjusted
 because my kitchen is currently in three rooms,
 one of which is about a mile down the road.

 

Back at the end of February

we selected a new countertop for the kitchen.

Measurements were taken.

A check was written.

The kitchen was torn apart and the goods delivered.

 

Unfortunately, they read the measurements wrong

 and cut the hole for the sink off center.

Significantly off center.

 

Re-order.  Wait. 

 

 Tim connected water and a drain to one half of the sink

and we've managed for the last two weeks.
 

 

Last night we took it all apart, again, because

the crew was coming this morning to take away the
faulty countertop and finish the job.

They've been here - taken part of it away
and will return with the rest in a couple hours.
 

 

Aidan is doing some homework.
Naphtali is checking the road conditions.
The dogs are waiting to play in the snow.
An interesting day awaits us all.

 

 

57/365 Sunday

Shimmering veils of

Rain give way to the frosty

Gauze of falling snow.



56/365 Matins

Cold rains blanket the

 Sky in misty grey, muting

The sounds of morning.



55/365 Lullaby

Soft, rhythmic patter

Soothes the weary waiting for

Sleep – rain in the night.

54/365 On Waking

Morning sun floods my  

Room sweeping away the dim

Lethargy of dreams.



53/365 Daybreak

Glints of elusive

Sun skitter across morning

 Snow dazzling the eye.



52/365 Lion's Ball

Branches dance wildly

Through the night moving to the

Wind’s agitato.

51/365 Morning Song

A raucous jay screams

Outside my window rousting

Both sun and sleeper.



50/365 Icy Morn

Ice on the wind chills

Breath and bones, bites deep,

Drains joy from the day.



49/365 Bald Eagle

Broad wings stroke the air

Lifting the eagle into

Flight, soaring with ease.



48/365 Snow Squall

 

Snowflakes simply spill

From a milky sky.  Ground, sky,

Air, meld in soft white.



47/365 North Wind

Stark against grey skies

Tall trees sway, bowing to the

Capricious north wind.