31 March, 2013

77/365 Anticipation

A subtle sheen on
 Bare branches stirs the dormant
Heart with fresh visions

30 March, 2013

76/365 A Change in the Air

Honest Spring sunshine
Brings everyone outdoors to
Visit, dawdle, bask.


29 March, 2013

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.


28 March, 2013

74/365 Housekeeping

Breathe.  Head up, shoulders
Back.  Reach deep for cleansing peace. 
Force out the stale.  Breathe.

27 March, 2013

73/365 Spring Rites

The morning’s fresh breeze
Carries ancient echoes as
Bird song fills the air.


26 March, 2013

72/365 Tuesday

Morning sunshine brings
A bright outlook to my day
And disposition.


25 March, 2013

71/365 Spring Snow

Poor Robin Redbreast
Huddled in the shelter of
Snow-covered bowers.


24 March, 2013

70/365 Comfort

Familiar faces,
Kindly voices, helping hands
Ease the weary heart.


23 March, 2013

69/365 Friday

Another stolen
Sunset as storm clouds, once more,
Obscure western skies.


22 March, 2013

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.


21 March, 2013

67/365 Morning

Brittle cold seeps through
The covers spoiling my warm
Repose – time to rise.


20 March, 2013

66/365 Futility

Like dust before a
Fierce wind words meant to comfort
Seem formless and void.

19 March, 2013

65/365 Stillness

Roiling thoughts obscure
Desired dreams - a quiet
Heart restores vision.


18 March, 2013

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.


17 March, 2013

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.
 
 

16 March, 2013

62/365 Reveille

Song bursts from every
Direction as birds trumpet
Their morning’s greetings.


15 March, 2013

61/365 Friday Morning

Heavy eyes mirror
A bleak morning sky heavy
With shapeless grey clouds.


14 March, 2013

60/365 Days End

Sleep lays siege and, though
Resistance is fierce, conquers
The resolute child.


13 March, 2013

59/365 Flight

Like north-bound geese on
The fly each day passes with
unrelenting beat.

12 March, 2013

58/365 Monday

Cogent thoughts, like dry
Leaves caught on an autumn wind,
Dance just out of reach.


11 March, 2013

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.


10 March, 2013

56/365 Matins

Cold rains blanket the
 Sky in misty grey, muting
The sounds of morning.


09 March, 2013

55/365 Lullaby

Soft, rhythmic patter
Soothes the weary waiting for
Sleep – rain in the night.

08 March, 2013

54/365 On Waking

Morning sun floods my  
Room sweeping away the dim
Lethargy of dreams.


07 March, 2013

53/365 Daybreak

Glints of elusive
Sun skitter across morning
 Snow dazzling the eye.


06 March, 2013

52/365 Lion's Ball

Branches dance wildly
Through the night moving to the
Wind’s agitato.

05 March, 2013

51/365 Morning Song

A raucous jay screams
Outside my window rousting
Both sun and sleeper.


04 March, 2013

50/365 Icy Morn

Ice on the wind chills
Breath and bones, bites deep,
Drains joy from the day.


03 March, 2013

49/365 Bald Eagle

Broad wings stroke the air
Lifting the eagle into
Flight, soaring with ease.


02 March, 2013

48/365 Snow Squall

 
Snowflakes simply spill
From a milky sky.  Ground, sky,
Air, meld in soft white.


01 March, 2013

47/365 North Wind

Stark against grey skies
Tall trees sway, bowing to the
Capricious north wind.