We rang in the new year quietly with a mildly alcoholic drink and a movie. No late night parties for us or big celebrations in a bar or hotel ballroom. Maybe it’s because we’re not in our twenties anymore or just that we enjoy being at home with our canine friends. Whatever the reason, we were satisfied with our quiet evening at home. We are at the point where we didn’t even have to explain to each other why we spent our evening at home. Our priorities had changed. Continue reading
A blogging award, oh my!
Most people who blog do so because they want share what they write with others. Hopefully, bloggers also get something out of it. That something is usually related to an emotional need to put idea to (virtual) paper, or to have a record of our innermost thoughts that we hope someone else in the Internet universe will enjoy. We have many choices and probably thousands and thousands of blogs to read. I watched my readership rise slowly, from onesies and twosies, to dozens. So, I was surprised and pleased to be nominated for The Liebster by Laura Bruno Lilly at http://laurabrunolilly.com/blog/. I love to read Laura’s blog. She feels like a kindred spirit. Her artistic pursuits and deep faith resonate with me. She has a curiosity about people and places that I love. Continue reading
Those of you who have been following my blog know that I was in a car accident a few weeks ago. It’s actually more like four, but hey, who’s counting? The doctor says I had a concussion, even though I didn’t actually hit anything. Apparently my brains sloshed around inside my skull. I am much better now, but I still say and do things that are a bit off, and get really tired by about 5 PM. While I took the doctor’s guidance seriously, it’s been hard for me to do less, move less, and think less. I am not reading, except short news stories, and not exercising much. There are things I have to do: I have to water my plants, and answer emails, and keep up with projects and clients related to work. As for the rest of my normally productive, busy life, I’ve had to put it on hold. What happens when life slows down? Continue reading
Those of you who have been reading my blog for a while know that I moved to southeastern Pennsylvania from the Washington, D.C. area about a year ago. I had a much smaller house and a much much smaller yard. It was pretty typical for the D.C. suburbs, but here in western Montgomery County my yard is a lot larger. One of the other things I have here is nature, and lots of it. In addition to the large variety of birds, we have rabbits, deer, foxes, moles, ground hogs, and, I’m told, an occasional bear is seen in town. A recent post was about my vegetable garden. One of the reasons for its success is the bee and butterfly population. When they’re not in my garden, I enjoy watching them from my deck. This post is about my butterfly bush. Continue reading
There is an old adage that says absence makes the heart grow fonder. I was thinking about this recently because my husband is away for a while. When he travels he says that I don’t miss him, while he misses me. That isn’t exactly true. What happens is that I adjust to him being away, which in my book means that if I think too much about missing him I have a harder time during the separation. Continue reading
The pond in front of our house is a big draw for local birds. We have a lot of trees, especially around the pond. Since the weather got warmer it has been a virtual menagerie of wildlife. Not only have a pair of mallard ducks made the pond their second home, but other birds enjoy it as well. This cardinal and her mate come regularly. The male likes to sit in the tree. I haven’t been able to get him to stay there long enough for a photo, but I’ll keep trying. Continue reading
Bill Murray in Groundhog Day
The pond frozen over with a dusting of fresh snow.
A few days ago we had our first snow. It started with a blustery wind and chunks of snow that blew around the yard. About half an hour later it was over. The few flakes had already melted as the temperature rose to the high 30s. We went to the gym, we fed the dogs, and I settled down at the table with my computer, answering and writing emails. I had sent a number of emails to friends the day but some of them had not arrived . . . gremlins at work, so I was trying to reconstruct them. Continue reading
Twas the night before Christmas and in Marla’s house, we were busy preparing for a day that would not interest a mouse,
For we had no presents, no tinsel, no tree, just two grown up people in wait for a day that was free,
Our fridge was packed, our house nice and warm, as we hunkered down for a quiet day outside the norm,
No children were waiting, no brew was chilling, as we eagerly looked forward to a day that was thrilling,
When what on our lawn did we spy from the door but some deer, a grouse, squirrels, and wait . . . birds galore!
As darkness descended on our small village street we heard the sound of peace, joy, and a new day to meet.
So my virtual friends I send you a warm greeting, in hopes that one day we may be meeting,
And wishing you all a joyful weekend, filled with family, food, good cheer and old friends.
Continue reading
It’s that time of year when we get together with family and friends. We go to parties and eat and drink too much, stay out too late, spend too much money and flit between a state of bliss and stress. We want to drift into that place where all we feel is sweetness and light. Inevitably we are sometimes disappointed. Our plans don’t come to fruition and our Continue reading
Explorations In Place 