It's a lovely way to spend a gray afternoon in mid-January. Having spent part of the morning menu planning, I head for a leisurely trip to the grocery store to pick up a few things. It's the first time I've gone alone since we moved, so I take the opportunity to go slow and browse—but
I love my family and I also love my solitude. Right now, Laurinda is at work, Makiya and Gerry are at the gym, and I'm home alone with the dogs. I danced a little jig when the last one was out the door. The dryer is running and, save for the tap-tapping of my fingers
What is the gift we should bring to the world? Judith Valente, How to Be: A Monk and a Journalist Reflect on Living & Dying, Purpose & Prayer, Forgiveness & Friendship Wasn’t I taught that it’s better to give than receive? Didn’t I do my best to teach my children to appreciate the joy that comes
We spend a pleasant evening with the neighbour’s home, sitting around a circle in the living room, nibbling treats, and conversing with one another. I’m not much for social gatherings, but I’m struck by the peace and relative normalcy of people in a similar demographic gathering together. We talk about all manner of things and,
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
For Today Looking out my window I see smoke. Again. I was just outside with the dogs and it's thick enough to smell. Not as thick as it has been but, according to the air quality index, it's high risk and unhealthy to be outside for long. Sigh. Another ibndoor day. There have been so
It’s that magical time of year when every day I see new growth in the garden. We’re eating beautiful and delicious lettuce now. I’m going to pull the rest of the spinach before it bolts and use some of it in a lasagne. I thinned the carrots, and am doing the same with the Hakurei turnips,
We prepare for another day without electricity. Gerry backs the cars out of the garage (the automatic garage door won’t open with no power), I think about what to take out of the refrigerator so we won’t have to open it while it’s off, fill water bottles (yeah, I know we could drink tap water,
It’s not yet dawn when I stand at our living room window, mug of soy milky frothy coffee in hand, and look to the east. The sky above the distant mountains is pink and, with subtle brilliance, growing ever more mesmerizing. I know, having watched countless sunrises, that the brilliance will reach a peak, then
Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge? Where is the knowledge we have lost in information? T.S. Eliot, The Rock I heard these words spoken in a Masterpiece program we watched a few days ago and they stuck with me. Written close to a century ago, they speak clearly to the state of
I wake, for the first time in a long time, with a spark of hope in my spirit. Not a lot, but a glimmer, and a sense of new beginning. Spring arrives next week, maybe that’s part of it. Or maybe the time change caused something to shift in a Back-To-The-Future-ish manner. I don’t know,