Sunday Adventure

I am one of those people who would love a snowstorm everyday of winter.

So, in fairness to the people who complain about the weather all winter long, I feel like I have to forfeit any weather requests the rest of the year. If I could make one, though, I would wish that most summer days were like the gorgeous day we had yesterday.

Sunny and breezy and clear.

Peace.

Happy Friday

Peace.

Last Weekend's Adventures

Even though the water was low, it was perfect for swimming.

Great Blue Heron

Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis

Peace.

Life's a Beach

It has been so hot here lately, the girls and I have been going swimming everyday after school. When we got to the beach the other day, I saw this woman laying there with as much of her body in the water without actually being all the way in. She had her coffee cup and her cell phone and lovely red lipstick. Later, I think she even had a cigarette, though I might've dreamt that part.

I just thought she was the perfect image of this heat, so I asked if I could take her picture. She said yes, then delightedly told the story to whoever she was talking to on the phone.

Stay cool.





Peace.

What We Talk About When We Talk About Names

More from Maggie

We know a lot of men named James. So there's Uncle James, Jim, Jim--Matthew&Amelia's dad, JB.

Then there's Bec and Rebecca. Pedal Katy and Katie--Finn's mom. There's Dave from the Music Store; Dave from Arcadia; David from Vermont; Fancy Dave.

Now we've started calling our baby magnolia, "Maggie." This is the first time we have to distinguish between a tree and a friend.

The girls and I take a tour of the garden every morning and evening these days to mark the rebirths and blossomings. Several times a day we remark on how lovely Maggie is getting. Since the naming is still new, one of us inevitably thinks first of the first grade friend of the 7yo. Then there are garden giggles at the confusion.

Just as we nurture and treasure our friendships, we nurture and treasure our garden. May they continue to grow and flourish.





Peace.

In the Swim

A good day for swim.

Saturday in the Flood

Life in Bloom

Yesterday after school, the 7yo went to play at a friend's house, so the 9yo and I headed over to the library to pick up Calling on Dragons, the book she'd requested. After we picked it up and put in a request for another book, The Silver Door, she asked me if we could go to the greenhouse. I realized it was within walking distance, so we headed over. As we were walking over, I remembered that they have an annual bulb show at this time of year. Sure enough, when we got there, there were beautiful flowers everywhere. And unlike most times when I've been, where you have to fight the crowds to see anything, we had the whole place nearly to ourselves. It turns out one of the reasons for this was that we were there a half hour before closing time. So we did get the bum's rush as I was frantically snapping pictures. Still, it was a lovely afternoon.





Happy Spring.
Peace.

Sunday Adventure

Nothing like a rusty truck in the woods for a good photo shoot

Yesterday was another gorgeous day, so we headed out to Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary. My plan was to do our usual quick loop and then have a snack at the birdhouse. However, the 7yo told me her plan was to get lost, like we did once a few years ago.

That time it was also a sunny day in late Winter/early Spring, but the ground was still covered deep with snow. We had tried to extend our short loop just a bit, but never found a place to turn right to loop back. None of the paths were marked, and there was no way for me to spot the trails in the snow. I ended up leading us out by heading to the road at the far perimeter, and making the loop back on the road.

This time the paths were clear of snow and better marked, but still, we eventually got to a place where we couldn't tell where the path was. This time, we just back-tracked the way we had come until we found our way back. Even though there was a point where we didn't know which way to go, we were never actually lost. There was still enough bush-whacking, bank-climbing, and hill-sliding to make it an exciting adventure.

We did see a few people out in the woods yesterday. We passed one group heading deeper into the woods, just as we were trying to find our way back. Then, when we were back on a familiar trail, we crossed them again coming down exactly the path we had tried to find. When I asked how they managed to find it, they said it wasn't well marked, but they just followed the river. Somehow this is beyond my abilities. Girl scout fail.

Here's hoping my daughters, who are growing up hiking the woods, instead of just biking the asphalt (like I did in southern California), will have the ability to read the land.






Peace.

Signs of Spring

On the rails-to-trails bridge over the Connecticut River

The first crocuses of the season, spotted at school

Sugaring on the Hadley Commons

Yesterday was a gorgeous sunny day. The girls and I headed out on bikes for a day's adventure. First stop was breakfast at Jake's. Then off to the last of the Winter farmers' markets for five pounds of honey for twenty bucks (what was I thinking???). Then we went to the local bakery that makes olive bread only on Saturdays, to buy a loaf. We also got some fancy juice spritzers at the local health food store. Then we headed over the river for a picnic.

When we came back to town, we checked out the new rails-to-trails bridge over Main Street, a very fun view. We made a pit stop at home, then rode back to town to rent a movie and get ice cream cones. Yes, it feels like Spring.

Today is also gorgeous and we're about to head out for another adventure. The girls are just waiting for me, so I'll come back to put all the links in later!





Peace.

Snow Town

Even though lots of folks around the country are having record snow years, ours has been a bit flaky. Last night, things got a little more to our liking, a little more snowflaky.

The girls and their friends from across the street took advantage of the sticky stuff to get to work. They asked me if they could use our big wheelbarrow to bring some fallen snowmen parts from across the street. I said no. A little later, I hear from inside the house, their voices asking the older neighbor if he had a wheelbarrow they could borrow. He said yes!

A sweet winter scene in the neighborhood. More of this, please.






Peace.

For Hayley

Peace.

Winter Treasure

This morning's plan was to wake early and go to the dump. Then go to Jake's for breakfast. Instead, we slept late and woke to a blanket of new snow. We decided to skip the dump and walk into town for breakfast. But first, I had a morning dose of internet where I learned that today's date is a palindrome: 01022010 and that our town has a winter farmer's market (but I didn't know where).

When we got into town and rounded the corner, I saw this sign.

We went to breakfast first. Then we came to check out the market. It was fun to see summer's outdoor scene transposed to this winter indoor hall. Familiar faces stood beside familiar treats and treasures. A small band played quietly in a corner. It was good to see old friends Michael and Lynn on my side of the river. In my version of local-lore, they are the farm share pioneers of our valley, having started the food bank farm. Now they are moving on to their next adventure.

We made the circuit, checking out each vendor in the hall. The 9yo fell in love with a piece of sheepskin. The 7yo wanted a bouquet of rosemary. Guess which treasure I was able to buy? I also bought other delicious treasures, and then we took the long shortcut home.








Once we came in from the snow, we enjoyed the fruits of our labors, thanks to the labor of our local farmers: apples, carrots, and big slabs of rosemary bread.








Peace.

Happy Solstice

fire circle

fire spirit

fire wall

luminaria & fading fire & moon

one last look

The Solstice bonfire at the wildlife sanctuary.

Happy Solstice.







Peace.