grammar nerd

Of course I looked it up. This is me, after all.

'farther' and 'further' are generally interchangeable, but 'farther' generally refers to a greater physical distance and 'further' to a metaphorical one.

Now, aren't you glad you know?

going a step further

further? farther? ... but I digress.

I have gone one step more. I am daring the forces to smite me, throwing caution to the wind and laughing manaically, eyes ablaze, as I defy the oppression.

Laundry on the clothesline! Spring is coming!

Take that, winter.

daring to hope for spring

I've tried to avoid it, tried to tell myself that winter will have its last hurrah and that the dripping of melting snow will be replaced by more of the frozen variety before spring truly comes. I am an adult and I shall be realistic. *stifled giggle here*

But alas, I still hope for that first whiff of a spring-y breeze. I stopped to just feel the warm sun on my face the other day as I walked to the creek and listened there to the gurgle of water just under the ice. Sam the dog, as usual, wasn't quite letting me enjoy the peace as he snuffed around the wood pile, likely scaring whatever critter was using it for shelter. Between thoughts of the garden and plans for spring and summer visitors, my mind has skipped happily ahead to the days when the fields will be green again and the creek will flow freely.

Two of the three girls are hard at work on their Historica projects. R has decided to take this year off, after several years of big projects. A, meanwhile, wanted very much to learn about the battle of Vimy Ridge from WW1, and M is busily putting together her work on the history of the Canadian Horse.

I had one of those surreal days last week, when I was interviewed by the lovely EP for an article in the Baptist Horizon. Meeting her via email and phone was a true delight as we discovered many shared interests. What I had thought would be stressful (interview? why me? oh no, think of something witty and deeply philosophical...) turned out to be over an hour's pleasant, laughing conversation with a new friend.

resolve

I will get my garden going again this year. I was busy last summer and lacked the motivation to do it.

But that meant I missed out on so much that I love about summer.

The little green shoots poking up through the soil, the corn that's never, never tasted sweeter. The tomatoes that taste like tomatoes were meant to taste - even the smell of the plants themselves. Watching the girls walk through and eat raw carrots, beans, peas, lettuce, and whatever herbs catch their fancy. Fresh basil to put in scrambled eggs. Seeing order in my little gravel paths and seeing abundance come from dirt and seeds. The peace of early morning when I'm the only one up and I go out in the sun to do a little weeding, to check progress.

Definitely need to get it back this year.

I also have strange notions about trying to run a bit in the mornings. But let's not get carried away.

coffee

I was awakened this morning by the entry of M into the room, smiling and saying "good morning, Mommy and Daddy, I made you breakfast in bed!" Such a sweet start to the day, and she was obviously so happy she'd done it.

On the tray was a glass of juice, two slices of cinnamon toast, a napkin, a glass of Coke, and half a cup of hot coffee.

The glass of Coke was, of course, perfect for D who hates coffee.

"Wow, did you make coffee?" I asked, a little hesitantly, thinking I'd never shown her how to use the machine.

"Nope!" (insert excited, quite-proud-of-herself grin here) "There was some in the machine yesterday so I poured it in a glass, hid it in the fridge to have it for this morning, and reheated it in the microwave!"

Loving foresight trumps fresh-brewed every time in my eyes.