Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Down on the farm...












When I was about four, my folks bought 70 acres of farmland.
They spent the next seven years building a house and garage so
we could live in the country.
It took seven years because Dad worked six days a week, so
Sundays and his vacation time was the only time they had to do
what needed doing to make a new home. Plus, it was Ohio and
the weather wasn't agreeable for construction about five months
of the year.

My Mom's father and two of her brothers were bricklayers and
stone masons, so they took care of that part of the work. Electric
and plumbing was done by professionals because of the required
permits and inspections. The rest was done by mom and dad. 

Anyway... one front corner of the property was a copse of huge
old trees and long, soft grass that never got mowed. (Not all yards
need to look like they are trimmed with cuticle scissors.)
In the Spring, that green carpet became engorged with daffodils
and grape hyacinths. It was my favorite place to play.

I never picked any of the flowers. They were where they should 
have been. It was a wonderland for my imagination.

Those beautiful flowers have been missing from that corner 
for more than three decades... since the property was sold.

Still, I remember and I visit that beautiful corner in the country
every Spring. It only exists in my memory but it's just as radiant
in my mind's eye now as it was  for that little girl so many years ago.

 

Thursday, March 12, 2015

Signs of Spring...

A baby rabbit bouncing over the yards across the street.
A big, fuzzy black cat tip-toeing across the melting snow 
in the backyard.
We cabin-fevered humans able to venture outside with just a
jacket instead of three layers plus hat, scarf, gloves and boots.
Cloudless blue skies and sunshine.
A nighttime sky full of stars.
The sweet earth smell in the air.
The Indians playing training games in Arizona.

The groundhog was right.

This is my 64th Spring as of this Friday.
I bought myself a big bottle of Coco Mademoiselle
so I can wear it every day.

I aim to be happy if it kills me.

 

Sunday, March 01, 2015

Repeat, repeat, repeat...

Look at the photo in the post below.
Today is no different, maybe worse.

It started snowing around midnight last night and is expected
to continue through tomorrow and maybe Tuesday and 
Wednesday. The only difference is that the temp is 29 degrees
as opposed to something below zero, like it's been for more than
a week.

Hey, Joe... is it worth shoveling now knowing the snow won't
be stopping any time soon? No one really has to leave here before
Tuesday. 

Where is the OFF switch for Winter?