Dizzy Swallows

Lucky

April 15th, 2013

Our weekend time is at such a premium these days, we generally lay plans based on carefully weighed priorities. Sometimes it works. Sometimes life takes over and all the best laid plans go out the window. This weekend was the later.

Opening the shutters Saturday morning I was dismayed to see the previous night’s windstorm had downed a sizable portion of the grand red plum which shelters our backyard. A section of the trunk lay atop our fence and obscured part of the neighbor’s roof. A massive tangle of branches, cracked limbs, and a gaping wound completed the havoc.

At first glance, we thought we were in for drawn-out headaches, requisite repair, and prolonged cleanup. Though I typically stand firmly in the Eeyore camp, I must admit this time luck/fortune/insert-allegory-here smiled on us. All of the potential for real harm and devastation fell neatly into the 4 foot gap between … Continue reading

So This Is Spring

April 3rd, 2013

Spring is the last season we have yet to experience in our new home, and watching the changes as we turn toward the sun has been such a joy. Each daffodil that emerges is a pleasant surprise. Each new blossom is like a revelation. My prized peonies still have a ways to come yet, but in the meantime, the camelia is a riot of luxuriant color, the plum blossoms waft sweet fragrance through the air, and the bleeding hearts sway like so many jeweled necklaces. I feel an immense, and entirely unwarranted, proprietary pride of all the bees, birds, and squirrels (plus one happy kitty) busily foraging in our yard.

Press play and enjoy! Oh, and don’t forget you can click on a photo to pop out a lightbox.

You Are My Sun by Sun Kil Moon on Grooveshark

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Little Bits for a Monday

March 11th, 2013

Happy Monday my darlings. Spring is just around the corner! Thank heavens. Today I’d like to share with you a song that’s been roaming round my head since happening upon it a few weeks ago (shout out to Tommy!). Enjoy while you peruse the rest of the post!

Lightning's Girl by Nancy Sinatra on Grooveshark

How was everyone’s weekend? Ours was full, as was the week previous. Though I was down with my first cold of the year, we did manage to get some key measurements at our wedding venue, lock in the catering, and have a nice walk about the land.

We even managed to plant the start of our garden! So far we have strawberries and peas in the ground, and butternut squash, cilantro, mint, and broccoli in the seedling tray. Much more to come!

My wellies have been earning their keep being out in the garden and … Continue reading

The Cruelest Month

February 13th, 2013 3 Comments

T.S. Eliot might say April, but I say February. For me, it’s always right about this time that my inner world gets dark and twisty. The long grey has all but choked out the memory of sun warmed skin, and the cold drizzle does little to alleviate cabin fever. My thoughts turn to unhealed existential troubles like a tongue to a sore tooth.

There is little to be done to bring the warmth of spring closer, but it must not be said that I easily give up the fight against this cruel month. As weapons to combat the dark and stormy, I have chosen the following:

Pruning. Clipping away the water sprouts from our aged apple trees reminds me to do the same to the feral thoughts that threaten to block out the sunshine. Aching forearms seem a small price to pay.

New music. Reliability itself, NPR First ListenContinue reading

Oh Christmas Tree

December 12th, 2012

There are few things that please me more than the smell of pine drifting off a glowing Christmas tree. This year we suddenly find ourselves with enough room (a whole house!) to have a tree of our own. Last weekend we ventured out into the freezing drizzle to choose a beauty at the humorously named Chubby and Tubby tree lot.

We selected a lovely, full-bowed noble fir and strapped it to the car with the help of one of Chubby and Tubby’s friendly, helpful employees.

As newbies to the house thing, we have yet to accumulate a decent collection of ornaments. Luckily, our local nursery was having something of a Christmas market, where I picked up a few cuties. Love that deer.

I amended the sparsity by stringing up a handful of felted wool balls my mom had given us years ago, swearing they’d be useful for something. How true. … Continue reading