Time To Just Be

A balmy day on Sunday
showers on and off.
Peaceful

Birds are returning
Garden and woods look stripped and at Peace

Inside cottage
small touches of holiday colors
even in the pantry
and a small rug in front of the sink
Just enough for one matriarch

Neighbor delivered handmade
herbal soap she makes.  It smells wonderful.
This is something I wanted to do years ago.
Make soap.

Her visit brought back such past memories.
They surfaced all through the night
and made me smile....

Of my chickens and fresh eggs.
Orchard that provided jams and jellies.
Large garden
Collection of geese, ducks, peacocks and
an incubator that I hovered over like a mother
to see eggs hatch.
Baby calves that were bottle fed.
My youngest barefoot and wearing a sun bonnet

It was a time of healing 30 years ago.
I truly thought I could not make it
A time that was the end of much I had known
and now I received the blessing of a new beginning.

Ever thankful that
To this world I came
from a totally different world.

A favorite
Enya's "And Winter Came"
played softly
most of the day

All is well........

 

 

A Child's Love

Pictures arrived
that brought back
wonderful memories.

Whenever she would visit
from miles away
this child showered me with love.

Always seeking me out and sitting by me.
beautiful smile always on her face
Still this day it remains.
I do not believe I have ever seen her
without a smile on her face.

A note would often be found
on my bedroom dresser
after she had left for home
sometimes with a heart drawn
on a small piece of paper
"I love you
Aunt Ern"

Her daughter,
my great niece
was married several weeks
ago in Michigan

How I wish
I could have been there.
My younger sister passed
away 4 years ago and
how she would have enjoyed
this wedding of her granddaughter.

 

 

 

 

An Observation

Just before dark
on an almost Spring like
December evening.

 I cut back some plants
in my garden that is resting.

and think of this poem....

True gardeners cannot bare a glove
between the sure touch and the tender root
must let their hands grow knotted as they move
with a rough sensitivity about
under the earth, between the rock and shoot
never to bruise or wound the hidden fruit.
And so I watched my mother's hands grow scarred
She who could heal the wounded plant or friend
With the same vulnerable yet rigorous love
I minded once to see her beauty gnarled
But now her truth is given me to live
As I learn for myself we must be hard
To move among the tender with an open hand
And to stay sensitive up to the end
Pay with some toughness for a gentle world

~~~May Sarton~~~

I read this poem
thought of my hands
I cannot bear gloves
and the splinters, thorns of the past
and scars
prove it.
Resting from gardening my hands have time to heal.
Hands and nails that were accustomed to compliments
in years past.
At this time of my life
they surely look gnarled
and I might add
ancient....

You Took Your Time

I spotted you in a special shop in Jamaica,
Probably 40 years ago.

I have held you in my lap while moving
from home to home.

You always started chiming when I would
place you in your new home.

A different story when arriving at this cottage.
You have hung on the wall for over 2 years
and would not tick.

The special people who work on clocks are
difficult to find at this time.  Guess it is not
a profession that young people would have
an interest in.

In years past my stepfather would service
my old clocks and he passed away 10 years ago.

I can remember my grandmother would take a feather
to dust her clocks and would dip the end in oil to help it run.

Yesterday
You started ticking and chiming and still going strong.
Smiling I urge you on...

You have had a long rest and please keep up
what you have started.

Next time I visit the woods
I think I will gather some turkey feathers.

to try something my grandmother did.

Nice To Be Mentioned

The local paper arrives weekly
and makes me aware of some that is going
on and recent deaths.  Living a simpler lifestyle
need this paper or there is much going on
that I would not be aware of.

Holiday tour of some special homes
will take place this weekend.

Memories surface and I found myself smiling.
After leaving the old farm house 12 years ago
one of the homes I built is in the historical district
of this town.  It is a part of the tour.   The paper mentioned that I designed the home
and how well it fit in with this section of older homes.

One of my goals was to make this home look like it was not new.

This home and creating a garden in the small back yard brought a lot of  pleasure.

Seemed I still possessed a lot of creative energy at that time and kept having thoughts
of moving on to the big city where it would be closer to some of my children.
and youngest grandchildren.
Always of the mindset that if it is meant to be it would all fall in place.
Put this home on the market as an experiment and it
 sold in a few weeks. A lot was found in
the big city that everyone said could not be bought.

Onward with that home, enjoyed time in the big city but my heart
was not at Peace.
Missed the country immensely so this home was put  on the market
and it took longer to sell then any home I had created.
A recession progressing and there was a sizable loss.

Now back home where I began a solo life over 30 years ago.
Thankful this property was kept, seemed in my heart I could
not let it go even though I sought other lifestyles.
Hopefully this is where I can spend
the rest of my days  and beyond....

Another story for my grandchildren....

You Said It

Yes, Wise Web Woman
you said it.

I have thought it

now I am repeating your words.

~~~I must stay drunk on writing
so that reality does not destroy me ~~~

http://wisewebwoman.blogspot.co.uk

Thank you for allowing me :)

At the moment I do believe
I write more then my daughter
who is a writer and editor....

Yes
at this time
writing
 is
a helpful part of her mama's
survival tactic...

Health problems
please
go away....

December 1st

A sunny and 60 degree 11:00 AM

Good time to do some hand wash...

Soup on the deck,
cheese, crackers and tea
for lunch
Miss the Basil because of frost.
Will add
chives, cilantro, parsley
and finish with some
coconut cake.

One in California,
Others taking part in Christmas parade.
One in the nearby big city
Two in New York
One in Washington
One visiting a new baby
in Vietnam.
Baby shower going on in Michigan..

The thought continually
comes to mind
"a busy family"

Some keep in constant touch
Others linger behind

Some read what she writes
Others do not have the time

I say "follow your heart"
because this one
has been there
and done that

Happiest
right where I am
tending the woods....