Dreaming

Several warm days with rain on and off. I worked outside and smiled at the plants that are beginning to emerge. Each one with a story. A basket of seeds that have been saved are ready to be planted.

A walk in the woods revealed ferns emerging from their bed of leaves.

Torrential rains at the moment and the wheat field is the most wonderful shade of green. A day inside to catch up on household chores. Cleaning, baking, make some soup, yoga, desk work and reading. A day that would be viewed by many as not very exciting - but my life at this time and I am at peace and I like it. My plans to spend the rest of the week outside in the sun and dirt....

Spring In The Garden

After a night of rain

I go out, wearing my clogs

wrapped in an old overcoat

against the spring cold

water pours white

through the open dikes

peach blossoms glow red

beyond the willows

fields of new grass spread away

edged and checkered

poles from the wells

at the wood's edge

I go back in

to write at my small desk

evening arrives, I'm alone

happy among the green weeds

Wong Wei

Chinese Poet

750 AD

Open Your Heart

Hopefully, I will know something about my car this morning. I truly wish I was not so sensitive to unexpected or unpleasant situations.

I am thankful that the dealership brought me home and will pick me up when car is ready. A service like this usually available in big cities but in this smaller town it is truly welcome.

Life is a good teacher and a good friend. Things are always in transition, if we could only realize it. Nothing ever sums itself up in the way that we like to dream about. The off-center, in-between state is an ideal situation, a situation in which we can open our hearts and minds beyond limit. It's a very tender, non-aggressive, open-ended state of affairs...

Tricycle - Buddhist Review ----------- read this early morning

Angel To The Rescue

A rainy morning
time for car to be serviced

Coolant light has been
coming on. Also some leakage
on garage floor.

On the way to the city
the gauge went to hot

One Woman' heart
began to race
as she pulled off
the winding country road

A young woman stopped
dressed to perfection -
high heels and so stylish

She lifted hood of car
pulled on a jacket and hood
over her head

I encouraged her not to do this
she was dressed too nice
but to no avail

All of this in the pouring rain

Water in vehicle
and she followed me to
car dealership

She said it was her good
deed for the day.

Tears filled my eyes
To me she is an angel...

Her name was Jessica
same as my oldest granddaughter

Have you met any
angels lately?

Last Week of February Thoughts

The first week of December - 3 books were sent to my son in Thailand. His Christmas present. Over the weeks they never arrived. This made me sad. Well they appeared in my mailbox on Saturday. I smile at the thought of all the miles they traveled across the ocean and then 10 weeks later to find them in my rural mailbox.

Spring is trying to arrive. One day the warmth of the sun on the deck is delightful for lunch and another day I am bundled up as I walk the path in the woods.

Reluctantly bought some turnip greens on my trip to town . I like homegrown but since I do not have them as of yet this will do for a healthy green. While cleaning on my little garden spot I found 6 small turnips. So this gift will be an addition to the simmering greens. They will be topped with hard boiled egg, and some crispy bacon. Add my half recipe of corn bread and a glass of tea and guess that will be my evening meal. Quiet and peaceful with a candle burning.

A memory picture of one of my young granddaughter's. Time is going by so quickly and it seems like yesterday she was born, and now she is selling Girl Scout cookies. The youngest granddaughter her birthday in March. An image of their little hand prints on a stepping stone that was a gift to grandma - 5 years ago. Oldest granddaughter will be 24 in a few days.

I wonder - how can this be.

I will be so happy when I can stay outside and work in my gardens. At least a 100 plants were brought from my other home and are beginning to emerge. Must remember that my plan is to make these gardens smaller then ever before. I can no longer pick up the 40 lb bags of mulch and potting soil. So many things I have done in the past and I just cannot do them. Being an early morning person and going nonstop until lunch and then after 1:00 or 2:00 I have to call it a day.

Always been someone available to help me few hours a week but it is becoming increasingly difficult to find at this time. So - I must remember to not buy every plant that I find appealing. I would buy plants instead of food....and to pace myself.

Many years ago when I moved to the old farm house - 12 fruit trees were planted - a small orchard. Yesterday a pear tree was planted at Woodhaven. A yellow climbing rose has a new home on an old trellis beside my small front porch.

Everything that slows us down and forces patience

everything that sets us back

into the slow circles of nature

is a help

Gardening is an instrument of grace

~May Sarton~

Walk In The Woods

A walk in the woods

late yesterday

To see if there

were in signs of Spring

Cold wind blowing

many limbs on my

walking path

All nature stripped

bare

a few ferns

clumps of

beautiful green moss

Now if I pulled back the

thick layer of leaves

there might be snug and

warm a few Spring plants

emerging

30 degrees last night

all plants need to stay

warm under their blanket

of leaves....

Visitors

Almost dark

some of my visitors

came out of the woods

when I opened the front door

they stopped eating

in the wheat field

and just looked at me

so many of my visitors

are becoming accustomed

to me

the birds, squirrels, turkeys,

and the deer

wonder what else...

Shadows

Early morning sun

making

delightful shadows

a reminder of Spring

I smile .....

"The mocking bird

opens his throat
among the thorns

for his own reasons....

Your clocks, he says plainly,

which are always ticking,

do not have to be listened to."

~Mary Oliver~

The Guest House

This being human is a guest house.

Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,

some momentary awareness comes

as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all !

Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,

who violently sweep your house

empty of its furniture,

still, treat each guest honorably.

He may be clearing you out

for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,

meet them at the door laughing,

and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,

because each has been sent

as a guide from beyond.

~Rumi~

An Anniversary

16th wedding anniversary.

At this time
younger then
any of your daughters

Can hardly remember
this lifestyle

Going through old pictures
the thought came to mind

After children and involvement
in the world

What do you want to do
when you grow up

Or rather
grow old

Always a dream to
be surrounded
by nature

Now
One Woman lives
at the edge of the woods

Memories

Ever thankful that I was allowed to return home

A dream that became a reality

Seems like yesterday

Up and down road daily

from city to country

building, decisions, gardens begin

it came true

City home finally sold

I am home

Thank you...

Today

I am planting

a pear tree.....

She Makes Me All Better

Grandma is feeling a little under the weather

Was awake most of the night

Might be the frozen salmon prepared for dinner last night

Still continued morning errands

taxes prepared

purchase of a pear tree,

blueberry bush and

climbing yellow rose bush

Opened mail

one look at my

youngest granddaughter

Makes me all better...

Those cowboy boots will be worn

all summer

unless

mom can hide them...

February Snow Melting

Snow is melting

boots on

camera tucked inside jacket

A gift of green iris

under the snow

Sun is magnificent

and so welcome...

One of my daughter's

made a visit to the woods

an outing for lunch

Visitors always

welcome..

News passed on

about father and daughter

Valentine dance

My youngest of 5 years

with total confidence

can dance the best...

Wise Speech

Before you speak, think -

Is it necessary?

Is it true?

Is it kind?

Will it hurt anyone?

Will it improve on the silence...

~Sri Sathya Sair Baba~

Doing Nothing

It's too early for anything to be done in the garden. The sun pours down -- a promise of the warming to come. In a day or two, however, the temperature will drop below freezing again. I can be fairly sure of that. Now is a time of waiting.


I sit down on the makeshift bench against the back of the garage. The vegetable beds lie before me. I lean back.


What do we do when we wait? Plan? Fidget? Fret? Dream? Rest? Pace? Why is it so hard to do nothing? The simplest, easiest thing is to let things be. Why not just "be" in the sun this little moment? Perhaps when we do nothing we see how naked we feel without plans? Perhaps we feel useless without our goals? To be without agenda --is that not the most lovingly present and accepting anyone can be ?

A Mystic Garden ~~~~Gunilla Norris

Snow Birds And Cauliflower Soup

Another cold and snowy day.

An image taken from my bedroom window of birds at feeder.

So - what does she eat - when she really is not inspired to cook or eat.

Contents of crisper drawer in refrigerator revealed....

Cauliflower, celery, carrot, onion, small piece of broccoli, small potato and it was all simmered in chicken broth.

First - chopped carrot, onion, celery simmered in olive oil.

All added to pan and cooked until soft. Mashed slightly with whisk.

In small pan - butter - some flour and milk to make a sauce.

This with an addition of a little more milk and garlic all mixed together - made a healthy and tasty soup.

Sprinkled cheese on top and

bread, cheese, tea and some homemade cookies topped it off.

Being snowed in and trying to eat nutritiously and keep my spirits up.

This early morning it is 5 degrees but the sun is suppose to shine - a warming trend over the weekend...

The thought makes me smile..

Wherever you are on this planet -----

May you be happy, well, safe and at peace.......

Always Remember The Reason Why

Jess and someone special in her life....

I am holding you as a baby

We are sitting on the swing at the old farmhouse. Probably 15 years ago. Grandma loved wearing sundresses and going barefoot...

Remember the reason

you write and post images

frequently

You find such joy in this late life venture

and people of all ages, walks of

life that are far and near

seem to enjoy reading about

One Woman who built a cottage at the

edge of the woods and returned to her

much loved land

in her last years

It is for your children and grandchildren

that you write

An opportunity for them to know

what is happening in

in your life

A chance for them to know you

a little better

The written word reveals so much

From the Heart

A gift received

letter from my

oldest granddaughter

my heart is smiling

2/8/2011

Grandma,

That snowy picture of the angel is so beautiful - I always think of you when I see angels because I still remember as a little girl you showing me all your angel statues in the house and garden. Stay warm and well !

Love you,

Jessica

Morning

Heavy coat, gloves, hat, and
phone and camera tucked in pocket

Just finished filling the bird feeders.

Something new

Weary, breathless

and cold - when returning

inside her cottage

May move feeders closer to cottage

in the Spring

Will be easier to fill

and capture images of the

many beautiful birds that are visiting

In perfect health

except for the immune disorder

No extra weight and was surprised

how tiring this was

Might be because up for several hours

No breakfast as of yet

Feed Callie and birds before herself

For some reason she forgets

traveling through the 3 score and 10 years

will continue to be at a different pace

She continues on

at the same pace

as in the past

Just habit

Spring around the corner

so many plans for gardens

Excited to see what will emerge

She must remember her son's words

Walk slow, breathe and smile

One Woman's Monday

Early morning dental appointment

drove in the rain and then

a quick stop for groceries

Snow was predicted

safely home through the rain

Callie lying in the middle

of the field - waiting

Within an hour a blizzard arrived

snowflakes the size of silver dollars

What a beautiful sight

Calls and emails from children

make her smile

Special healing prayers go out for her

little granddaughter's fever

to go away

An evening to read a special book

that arrived in the mail

more poems by Mary Oliver

She knows for sure

if the heat stays on,

pantry is full

all will be well

Because her heart

tells her

Spring is

around the corner

Saturday In February And Callie

Snow predicted

has not arrived

Callie, Woodhaven

has been our home

for 16 months

Took a while for

you to adjust

When errands

are a must in the

small town

upon my return

you are lying in the

open field - waiting

for your

mistress to return

Never fails to

pierce her heart

As the truck pulls

down the long drive

you run to meet her

A new bed for you

the first

you tore apart

I think

you like this one

February Sunset

She lives at the edge of the woods
Weather unpredictable
Cold at the moment
One thing she can count on
the sunsets are spectacular


These things cannot be hidden -
the sun, the moon,
and the truth

~Buddha~

The Use Of Sorrow

Someone I loved once gave me
a box full of darkness

It took me years to understand
that this too, was a gift...

~~Mary Oliver~~~

Gray Time

A preview of Spring

made me smile

Living in the moment

almost forgot

it was a preview

Winter and cold wind

has returned

Eye problem that surfaces

from time to time

Severely dry and bloodshot

part of immune disorder

My special son shared - in Thai

Mom is told

"dew la dtua eng dusy !

Which translates

~Take care of yourself~

Whatever is happening

the lady in the woods

hopes it vanishes quickly