Quick Trip

We are headed up to see my sister tomorrow. It's officially spring break and Hayes said he really just wanted to go to Chelsea. I love that kid! So tomorrow he and I will take a little trip up to MI to see our girls. I realized about an hour ago that could mean snow. Gads! So I'll be packing all sorts of layers for the boy and me, and certainly that lovely poncho, to stay warm. 

Ironically several of our plants arrived from Spring Hill today - including our new wisteria (the picture to the left - Blue Moon Reblooming)! and a blueberry bush (the Northland variety)! Can't wait for the other blueberry bushes to arrive from Gurneys. I just love spring! We've got to get the shallots and spinach out this week too. And start the lettuce. It's so good to be back in the swing of the garden. I can almost smell the earth right now.

Spring Break 09

So my parents are off to Florida for the week. Mom is a retired teacher and Dad is still teaching. Spring break still means something for them. It's a much needed break, for all of us.

They are traveling with friends in a minivan packed to the gills. They're like a bunch of teenagers: do we have the sports equipment, the beach stuff, the wine? It's almost like a preview of watching my son 10 years from now. Us reminding them to take their cell phones, sunscreen, check e-mail and call when they get there. They trying to decide if Disney is on the list, or if golf is more what they want to do, who and when they'll hook up with, where they'll go to eat.

This parenting thing is way more than it's cracked up to be. Godspeed.

Early Morning

I used to be an early riser, always, no matter what. Now I am what I would call a "seasonal riser" - one who rises more or less with the sun. Winter makes me want to burrow deeper into the covers and sleep. But as spring slowly graces us with her presence, I find myself compelled to get up earlier and see what she has to offer. We've had some glorious weather this last week and I am completely smitten with it.

Today, I was up much earlier than normal. We had another morning detention to attend. (Don't even get me started on the ways I think it's ridiculous...) And, ironically, I was so glad. The ground fog this morning was glorious! I kept commenting about it all the way to school. I think Hayes thought I was a bit daft. I was wishing so much that I had tucked my camera in my bag, because the ruby sunrise was to die for. I did manage to get a few snaps in the back 40 before the sun was to high.

When I turned around, I saw our garden shrouded in the fog, and fell in love with it all over again. I can't wait to see that wisteria on the pergola.

And here are a few I just couldn't resist. The Red Twig Dogwood is spectacularly red this year. And our daffodils have started to bloom. Spring is coming.

I Am Such A Dog Person

It official. I'm a dog person. I actually knit this beauty for my gorgeous dog Jez. It suits her. I'm proudly displaying my dog person-ness. I may even be selling these soon -- keep an eye on Etsy.

Spring Fever

Here we are again at the beginning of March. I can smell the dampness of the earth, feel the change in the wind, and I am aching to get out there and set up the garden. Alas, it's too early. The almanac says I need to wait.

So I've channelled that energy into a new collage - it's still a work in progress, but it certainly has to do with spring. I'm hoping to create a series based on the concept of nesting. My folks christened their cottage The Nesting Place. It fits us in so many ways. That was also part of my inspiration for this. I'll give you a peek at the current work:

We'll have to see how they look, but I can see a nest of shredded money, a nest of fibers, a magpie roost, all sorts of things. I'll be setting aside some work days soon. Come on spring!

Family Fun

My grandmother just died. It was a long time coming and even she, in the end, was heard to say, "what's taking Him so long?!" This in reference to having to wait on God's timing. In deed. 

Funerals are not really my thing. And really, are they anyone's? I think it's because people don't really know what to do, and so you wind up around all these awkward feeling folks. All because they want to be there to help you and make you feel better. Ironic, isn't it?

But this funeral really took the cake. There was a marvelous eulogy by my father, chronicling the life of my grandmother. And then it took an odd turn as my dad told stories mostly about his dad, and not too much about his mom. No matter, I thought. People grieve and say what's on their mind. Then my mom stood up. She spoke a lovely sentiment about how my grandmother told her about Jesus, and shepherded her through the beginnings of her faith. And then, as if she couldn't find anything else to say, spoke about how fair she was in her gift giving (read stingy) and what a good financial planner she was. And then there was the sing-songy poem that my cousin had to read from my grandmother's sister. 

To top it all off, there was the gospel message, delivered (again and again) by Pastor Ed. My grandmother was always a church going woman, and in her later years hooked up with a rinky-dink little Baptist church. They believe, among other things, that the King James Version of the bible is the closest to the original, as it's the oldest English version we have. (I'm not making this up.) Naturally there was an altar call - and of all things, my son raised his hand at the prompting of the pastor. Good grief!

The thing that drives me wild is that no one spoke of my grandmother as I knew her to be. Why did they feel the need to sugarcoat her? She was cranky, and mean, and honest, and devoted to her family, and lived life on her own terms. I think there is a lot in there to love. I wish I had decided to say something at the funeral. I had no idea that she would be glossed over on the day we set aside to honor her life. Too weird.