The Third Act

Out of town

Back to regular posting on Wednesday.

 

Thursday

Record warmth and a couple new kinds of blooms...bi color daffodil and peach blossoms!  Hard to believe it's supposed to be 30 degrees cooler on Saturday.

 

 

 

How about...

...just a little bit of magic for your Wednesday?

It's dark again this morning, the sun shrouded behind a layer of clouds.  There's a light sprinkle of rain that fell on the garden.  It'll be warm again later on.  Another atypical winter day here in the Mid-Atlantic.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

randomness

...changing patterns can be a bit rough.  Sometimes my body says, "nope, I'm gonna go back to the old way."  So, last night even though I got to bed at a decent hour, fell asleep in a timely manner, there were a lot of interruptions in my sleep.  Tonight is another try.

...finally...I finally found someone who would cut my hair short enough!  Hallelujah!

...what a difference a sunny morning makes.  Even though I don't have a lot of fuel (because of aforementioned sleep) I'm excited to get moving and especially to work outside in the sunshine.

...the "winter" continues to be mild, warm even.  This isn't great, but I must admit it's rather enjoyable.  March may return us to winter temps.

...Friday, I'm going to Florida on Friday!  I've never been there and am looking forward to seeing my brother and his family.  Perhaps the predicted 80f temps here on Thursday will be a little warm up (heh...get it?) for the trip.

...every day the daffodil blooms become more dense.  I love those patches of yellow throughout the yards.

...a couple of angelica seed sprouts are finally pushing up in their pots.  The chamomile and parsley sprouts are doing well too.  Life!

...I wish you all a sweet and contented Tuesday.

 

 

 

an aging body

After my shower yesterday morning, I was feeling the fat on my body.  I weighed my breasts in my hands.  I leaned forward and let the fat on my belly fall into my palms.  Despite my desire to love my body "as is" there was that nagging voice that said to me, "this isn't good...this isn't attractive."  I needed to tenderly capture what I was, let's face it, somewhat repulsed by.

I'm 64 now.  I've reached a bit of a plateau in relation to my body.  There were a few years of, "Oh my god!  What's happening now?"  For the most part, though, I'm relatively comfortable physically and able to get what I want done in life.  I've gotten used to the quirks and mysteries and do my best to be gentle and kind to those parts.  

Over the past year I've had a couple issues that have limited the comfort of my really long walks.  I think I've got a bit of a handle on that now, and hope to reinstate those perambulations.  Avery has her walk...a sniff walk...and I have mine in which my legs will move at a faster pace.  These walks, though, I want to be for my cardiovascular and other systems that benefit from such movement.  I don't want to think about losing weight or fat.  The current culture is so strong around this idea, even though we have better body positivity.  I don't deny it has affected me.

So I look at my new curves, the layer of fat that has expanded beneath my skin and I make the effort to appreciate.  I appreciate the fact that I have enough food to eat.  I appreciate the extra padding on my older bones.  I appreciate that I don't get as cold as I used to.  There is a sensual softness about me now...an older lady softness, like that unique aunty of yours that you love to visit because she has lovely food and quirky art and a garden that is full of life beauty.  

I will continue to do what is helpful for my health.  My body will be what it is.  I have genes that come through my ancestors and trust that this physical form will do what it needs to do.  I will not look like a gorgeous older model.  You know, those lovely women in ads for this and that, who have gray hair but are still stunning and slim.  That's not me...never will be.  I will look like my mom and grandmoms.  I'm okay with that.

 

 

chilly Saturday

Boy, did the temperatures plummet!  A couple days ago the doors and windows were open wide.  It might have been gray out, but it was very warm.  Today is bright and clear, but cold.  It's a beautiful day, though, so no complaints.  A fire in the wood stove makes it quite cozy after spending time out of doors.

 

 

 

 

 

And it's Friday again

I had a great visit with a friend the past couple days.  Lots of good visiting and talk about photography, art, travel, family.  It's good fortune to have the friends I do.  The count may be on the low side, but the quality is quite high!

Yesterday, we took a good long walk through Pony Pasture.  Avery came along, so it was a leisurely stroll, which suited stopping to take photos along the way.  I was surprised to see the river so high, compared to the last time I was there.  But I guess we've had some good rains in between.

This afternoon is clay class and then the weekend is here.  The weather continues to swing wildly...I've sort of gotten used to it.  I guess it's not boring?  I'm thinking of making paczki this weekend given it's just before Ash Wednesday.  It would be best if I could invite a bunch of people for tea with the samovor out back, and feed them the pastries.  I keep that vision, even if it's not to manifest just yet.

 

 

 

 

 

marching towards spring...

 

 

love the one(s) you're with

There are so many loves in my life...human, animal, plant.  Just two are represented here...Avery and the garden.  Of course, I love those loves I'm not physically with as well...far flung family and friends.  And there are the global loves too...those to whom I send good wishes and protection, even though we've never met.

Valentine's day has never been exclusively about romantic love...not to me.  The celebration (a saint's day, really, I guess) has always been broader and more joyful than that.  I read once that St. Valentine is also considered the patron saint of beekeepers, which I find incredibly cool.  Not that I put much cred in religiosity, because we all know how checkered that history is!

Of course, love is more than just a day.  Hopefully it permeates our lives in its potentially many forms and fashions.  Sending love...

 

 

 

Monday

After a rainy, cold, dark Sunday, this morning has dawned bright and clear.  The temperatures will go up again this week.  I suspect it'll be just days before the apricot blossoms pop.  This is slightly concerning, given there's still plenty time for freezes.  Nevertheless, I'll enjoy the flowering of this tree.

While spring on the west coast was nice, I didn't have the same appreciation for it as here in the mid-Atlantic.  Dormancy is somewhat profound in this region, especially in the midst of urban forest.  So when the tips of the branches begin to green, the buds swell, the bulbs push into flower, the energy is palpable.  As the perennials start to show growth, way down near the soil, it's like welcoming old friends back after a long absence.  The sun shines and the air warms, giving me a much needed hug.

Even though there wasn't much of a winter in these parts, I'm pretty okay with the signs of spring.  That's not to say I don't love the snow.  I also know how important deep winter chill is to the natural environment.  Given the weather trends, it's unlikely (although not impossible) for there to still be freezes.  There were weeks when I longed for snow...but not anymore.  I'm ready to move into the season of potential and new growth.