knowing

Sometimes I need to get my hands dirty and work, and thanks to a sunny week the girls and I have been spending afternoon time in the vegetable garden, wresting control back from the weeds. It's going well and the progress is good.

The chickens are interested in the worms and caterpillars we find, and do their own bit of scratching. A decided today that pulling up a taproot (often mispronounced "taperoot" which at least beats "tapeworm" that she kept slipping to say earlier) was a satisfying thing. Almost half of the boxes have been tidied, though the remaining ones look to have the most work required, and some of the boxes themselves need repairing. Lots done, lots more to do.

But sometimes I need to leave things alone. Like the ladybug that crawled across my keyboard with the large tuft of dust on its back like a flag or some ungainly cargo. I tried to gently wipe it off but he (she? no idea) would have none of my help. I could have forced the issue, I guess, but I think the world would have been one less ladybug for it.

Knowing the difference can be obvious ... but sometimes it's hard to be sure which is the right thing to do. No answer to that today, just a thought prompted by the wanderings of the dustybug.

not alone

yesterday's thought...

To realize that we are not alone on life's journey is both a gift and a responsibility.

today's expansion (as my thoughts do tend to evolve as I ponder them, turn them over in my mind)...

There are people we pass on life's journey, faces appearing out of the mist as we walk along. Some we glance at, continue on our way. Others, we reach out a hand to greet.

Some return it with a wave, and pass on. They were with us for a brief moment.

Some reach our and shake our hand politely, stay with us for a season.

But some - gift indeed! - reach out, clasp our hand in true friendship. They hold on, steadying us over rough ground. Their warm, companionable grasp reminds us that they are there when the coldness of the mist threatens us. They don't let go. They are close enough to reach over and dry our tears, or to lean on us while we shake with laughter. They see what we do and know what delights us in the scenery along the way.

How I love my fellow sojourners.

makes sense

"... I mean, my writing entertains me, but then I also like to hop randomly around the kitchen."

(filed under Things You Say to Your Spouse that, Strangely Enough, Make Sense to Him)

a rake, a rake

... my kingdom for a rake...

With apologies to Shakespeare and Richard III. Though perhaps in his off-time Richard had a garden that needed cleaning up? You really never know about those literary characters and how they spend their time off. Like in the Looney Tunes episodes with Ralph and Sam, the sheepdog and coyote, talking to each other and being friendly until they clocked in for their jobs and started pummeling each other. What do characters in books do when we're not looking?

But I digress. As usual.

The week's spring weather begged, teased me to come out. It was practically flirting with me. Warm sun melted the snow and the tiny spikes that will be daffodils started peeking out under my kitchen window. Out I went to start working on the vegetable garden as per my resolution, but it was mostly still under water. On to the garden by the house, which needed the leaves to be raked up. Looked in one barn. No rake. Tried another. No rake. Checked all the barns, for there are several (a little P&P Mr. Collins there). Nope. Asked the kids. No go.

Maybe the farm critters stole it... but, for the record, raking with one's hands is neither efficient nor enjoyable.

On the nature front, my open windows now reward us with the sounds of Canada geese returning, red-winged blackbirds and robins staking out their territory, and sweet air. We walked up our muddy laneway yesterday and found what we think is a squirrel skull. Pigeons are trying to roost in our barn, but D (and his shotgun) told them, emphatically, NO.

culture

M: What kind of cheese is that, Mommy?

me: Blue cheese. Know what the bluey-green stuff is in it?

M: Parsley?

me: Nope. Try it.

M: (tries some) Hmm, I'm not sure. What's the green stuff?

me: Mold.

M: (if I could describe the look on her face, oh, how I would. Not disgusted, more ... baffled. Not sure if she likes the strong taste)

me: Here, try it with a bit of pear.

M: (repeats the look, then pretends to fall over backwards) I'm gonna have this at my birthday party!

I love that our kids will try just about anything. Even cheese with mold in it. Today they were trying their hand at adding Hoisin sauce, Thai hot sauce, and Fish sauce to chicken broth to cook Udon noodles. Cooking by taste and scarfing down the results. Blue cheese at a 10th birthday party will be ... unique.

The downside? I was hoping to have this little wedge of blue all to myself. Oh well.