“The morning was full of sunlight and hope.”
― Kate Chopin
I am a quarter of the way thought this project and here is what I have learned…
if I am patient the image will show itself at some point in the day
i am at a loss as to what to say most days, so maybe words are not necessary,
or at least can be minimal
this sweet little vase was a gift from my husband a few years back
it is full of flowers or greenery most months of the year
***
“I think the most important quality in a birdwatcher is a willingness to stand quietly and see what comes. Our everyday lives obscure a truth about existence - that at the heart of everything there lies a stillness and a light.”
― Lynn Thomson
we head out in the car and travel the backroads of farm county.
he backs up, slows down, turns around, and even smiles when I holler- let me out!
every year I think I am going to take the bird identification class at our community college
this year was not that year, so I am guessing when I say, I think this is a song sparrow.
***
A great blue heron is the color of gray mist reflecting in blue water. And like mist, she can fade into the backdrop,
all of her disappearing except the concentric circles of her lock-and-load eyes.
- Delia Owens
Percy and I head out in search of baby ducks. We find a mamma and her five babies at the park.
We also see a couple of monarch butterflies, and a great blue heron!
It was a great day at the park!
Unfortunately I had forgotten my phone in the car, so no photos!
I came home and sat on the grass with Baker and took a few of him.
***
I am not a greedy person except about flowers and plants, and then I become fanatically greedy.
~ May Sarton
I walk the garden today looking for a place to maybe put another flower bed next year. We are low on any vacant land in this house, and there is really nothing I want to pull out…. but maybe come next summer Percy will be willing to give up his sandbox???
***
the smell of the mock orange in their garden
watching the birds as we sit in the screened in porch and catch up
Baker trying to get everyone’s food
Omar the turtle roaming the porch with us
standing with him as he grills veggies for the fajitas
and… the vanilla bundt cake
so glad we figured out a way for this dad of ours to celebrate with two of our boys
one yesterday and one today….
***
“but now the news of the world aged him more than time itself.”
― Paulette Jiles, News of the World
the yellow loosestrife would take over the garden if I let it. this gives me pleasure, assuming that when I leave this world, it will still bloom, summer after summer. I spend the morning in the garden deadheading and doing my best to prune our hydrangeas (which is a bit confusing). come afternoon we head into town to have scones and tea and paint at one of those studios, where you can pick out your unglazed item and paint away. Percy picks out the best mug for his dad and they work together on colors and design. he then helps me finish up mine. We eat scones, with lime coconut cream! and we leave our projects to be fired. i watch my son and his family moving through all the steps of parenting a five year old. one who has his own opinions, and my heart swells at the good job they are doing. I marvel at how time flies. I worry about the state of our world right now, and can’t help but wonder how they will handle the mess we are leaving them as I watch them interact and laugh as they celebrate father’s day, while deep in my heart I pray and pray.
***
“At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person.
Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.”
— Albert Schweitzer
how the two of them get me, how they listen, and how they spark something in me that makes me want to run right to my camera to try new things, for taking time in the afternoon to lay on the couch with the dog and read, and closing my eyes for a few minutes, to listen to the birds
for him coming home so excited and happy after time with a couple of our boys sporting new t-shirts for us all
for clean sheets, and clean bathrooms, and wishing the kids next door happy last day of school
for growing wiser as I age, wise enough to let go of things that just don’t work any longer and embracing what does.
***