“Rained gently last night, just enough to wash the town clean, and then today a clean crisp fat spring day, the air redolent, the kind of green minty succulent air you’d bottle if you could and snort greedily on bleak, wet January evenings when the streetlights hzzzt on at four in the afternoon and all existence seems hopeless and sad.” – – Brian Doyle wrote that lovely string of words.
Dear friend,
I write from what is meant to be our guest bedroom though the light and view have beckoned me here. Each morning I awake, it doesn’t take long to realize we all are isolated and have blank calendars. This isolation where we find ourselves together — such an irony.
Although I write on my lap, with my feet up, outside the yard is luxuriating in spring. The birds are in full chorus, especially in the mornings. The daffodils are waving their yellow heads and the tulips — fearing nibbles by the deer — are boldly pushing their way up and out. The decorative plum trees down the street have fully blossomed in their pink glory. The rhodo beneath my window is beginning to reveal it’s apple blossom coloured buds. Oh and the Camellia, newly planted last autumn, has begun to burst. Spring is advancing despite the pandemic and she calls-out of hope and what is to come.
We are in this pandemic together. I choose to see the silver lining, to embrace what is good and right. I choose to spend my time with a purpose as much as is possible. With the most beautiful music in the background, I’ve written letters and have more to write. I’ve caught up on some neglected ‘chores.’ I’m sorting through photographs and jotting down notes on other projects I’d like to pursue. I’ve daydreamed. I’ve planted a few perennials and dreamed of the beauty that is yet to unfold.
How have you been spending your time in isolation? Do you have any projects that had been on your back-burner that you now are tackling? Are you trying something new (hobby, knitting, baking, gardening, learning a new language)?
PS: I have to tell you that your replies have been one of the most welcome parts of my day. Thank you — you’ve warmed my heart with your thoughts.
Joy always,
Diane
Your garden is well ahead of mine! I am at home on a regular basis so I have my routines to keep me busy.
One thing I’d like to do is to read more. It’s too easy to plop myself down and watch something on the computer when I’m tired. I tried reading just before bed, but I’d fall asleep before I’d get to page number three. I think I need to set a regular time during the day and make a point to sit down and open a book.
All the best Diane!
The daffodils aren’t blooming yet here but my two younger girls having been released from morning “school” are giggling in the yard in shorts and tank tops claiming that it’s “SSOOOOOOOO HOT!” Happy Spring!
the days are slipping through my fingers without any accomplishments. my creative side is stifled, and i think it may be due to my feeling of being out of control of the circumstances. i have a mental list of things i could do, but no ambition. i did, however, go into our new English garden completed last Fall to prune and transplant a few items. it received a gentle rain all day today which made the newly transplanted items to perk up.
i absolutely love the rain droplets outlining your tree. Japanese Maple? so lovely. we are ahead of you by about 3 weeks. the azaleas are nearly gone; blooms pasted to the leaves by the rain, the dogwoods as well. Spring flowers have been cut down after having bloomed and the Summer plants are growing in preparation to bloom.