FEELIN' TRIFLIN'

I spent all day Friday and Saturday preparing for the February event for The Evergreen Arts & Humanities Series, and this morning when a friend called to see if I wanted to go to yoga, I politely declined....It's one of those days when I might not get out of my PJ's....I might not accomplish much of anything...And besides, I'm an introvert who needs to recharge by staying at home, removing myself from the world of activity, and hanging out in the silence (or good tunes on the stereo.....)

Today's possibilities:

Maybe I'll knit....Sounds good.

Maybe I'll straighten out the jungle of a mess in my room....Probably won't.

Maybe I'll play with the cats....Yep, that seems like a good idea.

Maybe I'll feed the birds...Only if I decide that putting on my boots is something I'm in to doing.

Maybe I'll read...Sounds good.

Maybe I'll grade papers...Eergh! But if I do, then I won't have to do them tomorrow.

Maybe I'll look at seed companies on the internet....Yeah, that sounds good.

Maybe I'll take a walk...Too much energy?? To be determined later.

Maybe I'll phone a few friends...I'll have to limit conversations to 10 minutes...Don't feel like being to extroverted today.

Maybe I'll make a pot of soup. Good one...we need some healthy chow around here.

Maybe I'll do laundry...Underwear's runnin' low...

Maybe I'll ....maybe I'll....maybe I'll.

SNOWY WINTER DAYS = SOCKS BY FARM MOM

When it's cold outside and yours truly has an opportunity to knit, good things happen. This winter I've learned to knit socks. They're easy to finish in not so long a time, they're practical, and they're fun! Here's a sample:

Striped large sock made in a really nice alpaca for Samuel. The second one's in progress at the moment.

Organic cotton ankle socks...great feel on the foot. In fact they're so soft, one doesn't feel them on the foot.

The first pair I ever knitted-organic cotton like the ones above. Note the gusset on the top one--I went in the wrong direction, and it has a "unique" look.

Handspun Vermont wool slipper socks that I've almost worn out since I made them. Definitely in need of a wash. One a bit small then the other, but still a perfect fit!

When the knitting needles are in my hands and there's nice music (or the Olympics) in the background, all's well with the soul!

VALENTINE'S DAY 2010 - THOUGHTS

It's another -in weeks of many - gray, monochromatic day in the neighborhood, and I'm alone here at The Farm once again with the cats, Annie, and Claude, the beta fish on this Valentine's Day. Mostly because it's the height of winter yuk for me, I feel a bit alone today. I'd love to have Samuel and Eliza and all the other farm kids home with me to indulge in some tasty hot chocolate and an afternoon movie. Or, I'd love to be sitting on a bright, warm, sunny beach with my binoculars, watching dolphins in the distance as well as a few handsome old geezers as they stroll by in front of me....




There are moments when I think the whole Valentine's Day hype is just another opportunity for our commercialized, capitalistic society to make money on superficializing the concept of love. But then again, what better concept to promote, even if card companies and chocolate factories make millions and 98% of already overweight Americans pick up a few more "lbs?" If folks celebrate today with love in their heart, I can't complain.

I do believe in love.

In terms of a traditional relationship and marriage, at 57 years old, I still have a lot to learn. I can't say sustaining a relationship with a husband / significant other is one of my fortés although I haven't given up on the idea. I just think about it less and less as time goes by.

But I do know unconditional love in my life - my children, family and friends who accept the imperfect human being I am and who laugh at my "moments," critters who think there's no one better on the planet than I and who celebrate seeing me after I'm gone all day by wagging their tails off or jumping up on my lap. I sense total love in my home and on the land here at The Farm. The fields and woods have absorbed my laughter and my tears for 30 years now, and they inspire me to trust deeply in the cycles of life as we blossom and hibernate together.

Every ounce of love that surrounds me does not go unnoticed, whether it be tactilely exchanged or sensed from deep within. Love is the greatest blessing in my life, and gratitude for that love - the people, the critters, and all gifts from the Earth -bubbles like champagne in my heart today (and always).

Will you be my Valentine now and forever?? Namasté...

FEBRUARY 6, 2010 - THE SNOW FINALLY ARRIVED

DISMAL FEBRUARY FRIDAY

It's raining steadily, and the temperature is hovering right at freezing. The droplets clinging to the branches outside the window indicate a drop of a degree or two would solidify them into ice. Snow, a goodly amount of snow, should start falling at any moment, but the forecasters have been more wrong that accurate lately, so it's really unpredictable what's going to transpire here in the country.

The signs would point to a shift toward the worse - - a duo of squirrels have spent most of the day digging out chestnuts from under the trees and running them back to their nests, and the birds have almost emptied the feeders I filled this morning. Nonetheless, instead of a quieting winter blanket, the Earth at this point is taking a cold winter bath, and I sense She's shivering in her shoes.

Other than a brief trip to get thistle seed for the bird feeders in an effort to draw in some sparrows and finches, I've been nestled here at the farm all day. The orchids are delighted I've taken time to water them, and Loonis seems content to play "chase the feathers" every time I walk through the dining room. I think Annie's got the right idea....it's a great day for napping. She's yet to get up to do anything more than go out to relieve herself.

Eliza stopped by the farm for a minute on her way over to her dad's. It was good to catch up with her and hang for a moment. Samuel's getting ready for another DC snowstorm...20 - 28" predicted for the weekend. My poor mom's at home by herself in Boone as the snow's piling up all around.

It's winter. It's one of those days one has trouble remembering in the heat of the summer. It's one of those days when one searches the landscape for a tiny speck of color in the midst of the brown and gray. It's one of those days when curling up under a blanket and watching a movie defines one's level of energy, and it's one of those days when I'm very grateful I am alone here at The Farm with the critters and the silence.