Simple Things

Silk, party and corner

My favorite skirt is dark red, maybe maroon silk. It has a ruffle around the bottom, which is almost to the floor. It is wonderfully swishy and feels great against my legs.

The thought of giving myself a birthday party - 45 this year. I'm probably about half way now!

My car was in the shop for five days and I drove a bumpy pick-up truck. I got the car back today and just turning a corner was fun.

Music, sparks and eyes in the dark

A new CD - this time Geography of Light, by Carrie Newcomer.

The fireflies are out again. Seeing hundreds of them rise at dusk is incredible.

Walking down the dirt road followed by six cats. They hid in the tall grass by the side of the road when a truck went by. I shined my flashlight and suddenly, there were six pairs of eyes, all moving toward me. 

Go, girl, iced down and electrified

Making every traffic light on the way in to town.

It is hot and muggy today. I ate a root beer float and felt like my entire insides were coated with coolness.

I know it sounds silly, but I really appreciate air conditioning and electric fans. Two years in the rain forest without remains a sweaty, uncomfortable memory.

Plop, relief and accomplishments

I walked down a quiet country road this morning, before it got all hot and sticky, and listened to the frogs jump off their lily pads into the lake.

Seeing my aunt recovered from her auto accident.

Admiring my brother's newly landscaped yard, and congratulating him on completing a degree after 29 years.

Scent, homemade and finally

I drove past a newly-watered lawn and the smell was strong and heady, fresh and lush and earthy. 

I made hummus and it was good!

Drum circle was at my house tonight for the first time in the 8 years I've been attending.

Taste of Italy, yes please and flowers

Marinated fresh baby mozzarella with grape tomatoes and ribbons of fresh basil, sprinkled with freshly grated black pepper.

Pitching an article idea to an editor and having it accepted.

A bouquet of huge, beautiful, fragrant peonies, wrapped in nice paper and tied with raffia. The florist was all dirty from gardening outside the shop, and showed me all the flowers she had planted today: foxglove, lemon verbena, blue flax, and something delicate and pretty that she didn't know what it was.

Crown, gift and change

I made a daisy chain crown today of fat pink clover flowers. The sun warmed my shoulders, and I could hear crickets, the wind rustling the tall grass by the road and the little twittering birds that live in the fields. The last time I made one, my daughter was four or five. The time before that I was in high school. 

I have had the gift of my son for sixteen years today. He wanted chocolate chip cookies for his cake this year, so I stuck a candle in one and we sang happy birthday.

It is finally summer here - no jackets, warm sun, everything is so green and lush. I love having four seasons.

Surprise, family and down to earth

Wonderful vanilla bean cheesecake at a surprise party with pink and sparkly metallic balloons.

Having my daughter and my mother show up at the library today.

Taking part in a plant exchange. It's really interesting to see who gardens and picture them covered with dirt, instead of all starched up for work. It makes them seem more human, more three-dimensional.

Thanks, say it and springy

Gratitude for my current place in life. I helped my son study for his chemistry final for two hours tonight. So glad those days are gone for me.

I love writing in my journal.

The bullfrogs in the swamp at the end of the road. They sound like someone is sproinging a spring of some kind, but all different sizes, high notes and low notes.

Kiss, sparkle and rest

The entire family was having a temper tantrum. I went and laid in the grass in the backyard to wait it out, and the dog came and licked my nose.

I found seven geode pieces at the beach. The outside of the stone is ugly and gray and the inside is sparkly crystals. It's like finding a star inside a stone.

Sleeping in (til 8:30) three mornings in a row because of the holiday weekend. It's like my body is finding a new, slower, more natural rhythm.