Early in the morning, before anyone else is up in the house save for me and my tiny Yorkie, I stand at the window in the den and look out over the cul de sac. Lawns and trees are greening up and the most daring among us (read: me) have planted annuals in pots. The
It’s mid-morning on a Monday. I’m just in from taking the dogs out in the backyard where it’s ridiculously cold for this time of year. The white frosty rooftops in the cul de sac first thing this morning looked more like those in December rather than April. I checked my weather app and am optimistic
It's a beautiful morning. The sun is shining, the sky is clear, and the robins have arrived. I stepped out on my deck to capture this image and was greeted by a chorus of birds welcoming the day (I hear them so much clearer now!). I listened and watched almost a dozen redbreasts, a pretty
I woke up this morning feeling overwhelmed so I did our taxes. If that isn't nonsensical, I don't know what is. The annual task usually makes me extremely grumpy, but this year it acted as a respite that allowed me to focus on something other than current world events. This afternoon, Makiya and I went
Waiting for water to boil for my tea, I look over the top of the window blind toward the eastern sky. The darkest days are behind us; I can do that now. Above the silhouette of the hills floats a small cloud formation. I watch as it grows increasingly smaller then disappears completely in the
It's my birthday. I'm 63-years-old today. When we live longer lives than our parents, it's hard to imagine ourselves aging past them. It was that way for me as I approached 55, the age my mom was when she died suddenly. Now I'm two years away from reaching the last birthday milestone my dad celebrated.
Two lonely pots of bright yellow mums are all that's left on the back deck this morning. Gerry is busy outside bringing in pots and mats and outdoor furniture. The season is changing and we're inching toward waking up one morning to white—but not just yet. Please, not just yet. There was a hard frost
It's 10:00 am. This morning I have: prayed laughed enjoyed a quiet cup of coffee when I was the only one awake in the house taken a shower and gotten dressed made the bed talked with Gerry about something important talked with Makiya about other important things blanched and froze green beans offered suggestions on
Makiya is off to school, Gerry just left for a hike, the pups are snoozing and I'm finally taking some time to write this post. The first week of school comes to an end today and we're all settling into new routines. It's been a good week—a different week—but one rich with good things. Time
I’m sitting here listening to the sweet sound of rain. RAIN! At long last! The heavy weight of fire season is still with us but with many alerts and orders being rescinded and fires being brought under control, there is an easing of the burden. Skies, though not completely smoke free, are clear enough to
By the time I finish watering the garden, my head aches, my eyes are sore, and there's that irritation in the back of my throat again. It is a hasty watering. I look past the odd weed and ignore the pruning and thinning and general tidying up I should tend to. Just enough. That's become