At home

Home is where I have been oh, so much of the time. You too, I am guessing. My friend Manja wrote a “sorry, not sorry” poem about things she was not sorry for but thought maybe she was supposed to be. This is the way I feel about my success right now. I’ll confess it to you: I am healthy, happy, and very occupied. I am financially secure, school is keeping me super busy, and I have a big property that I can roam for an hour and never cross the same spot twice. It’s springtime so there is lots of work to do outside. Most of my friends keep in contact via the internet anyway, or texting on phones. Not much has changed except the news, and how much I am worried about others, who are at risk of exposure more than me. Worried people check in on me now and then, and it’s sweet of them, but I don’t need it. I’m doing great.

Is it inappropriate to admit that?

I mentioned to my friend Derrick that it’s good timing to be on stay-at-home orders in spring because there is so much work to do outside and so much loveliness to see. Even things not in gardens are blooming. The bird song is loud and proud. The weather is more unpredictable than usual. The grass that has been mostly brown for months is now mostly green. The outermost tiny tree branches are getting a fog of green or of red around them. My peach tree has pink blossoms and my plum tree has white blossoms. The frogs have started croaking in the evenings again. The hens are laying like mad. The eggs are constantly a delight. Every Easter egg shade, with textures and freckles and each one filled with yummy protein for me!

Derrick is kind enough to give a tour of his garden now and then on his blog. I used it as a suggestion to me for a topic. So I’m gathering what random shots I found on my phone and in my camera, and I’m posting the more interesting ones.

I haven’t been posting much since January. Winter term at school was busy and fun. Spring term my classes are harder and I’m working even more. Mostly reading reading reading and then writing about what I read. My motivation to spend even more time at the computer is slim. I haven’t been visiting any of your blogs much. It’s not personal. I haven’t lost interest in your lives. I haven’t stopped caring. And I love how often you come back and read what I write, even when I’m not reading yours. That makes me smile. Thanks.

It’s been an unusually sunny Spring here in Rainier. That’s two springs in a row with that pattern. Heck, if global warming keeps it up like this, I may end up in a good climate if I just hang around for awhile. I’m always fantasizing about moving to a place where the sun shines more frequently than it rains, and where it gets hot in the summer. But wouldn’t it be a waste to up and move to the desert right when this place finally dries out and warms up.

You are correct! I have not cleared the garden that holds my bird feeders. I have not weeded. I am proud of myself just for having cleaned up the other garden in front of the porch. I also cut the grass in the lawn before the rain started again. Then I had to go back to reading.

I cleaned up the front garden in time for the bulbs to come up. I love the bursts of colour in this still chilly time of year. These rich colours are inspiring. Every spring I think, “Dang, I should have put in a bunch of bulbs last Fall.” And every Fall I think nothing about it. The ones I really want are snowdrops because they come up so early it seems unreal. Someday I’ll remember.

So hey! I hope there are blossoms for you to look at, and unexpected bursts of sunshine. I hope you are well in your body and in your mind. It’s so important to take care of your mind right now. Hugs and smiles from me to you.