The house is quiet. Little is stirring. I decided to pick up my camera and have a look around. I know that I see things every day, but sometimes I do not notice those everyday things.
In fact, lately, what I have mostly noticed, and focused on, have been the shortfalls and frustrations, the disappointments. It may not be a conscious effort to wallow a bit, but sometimes it takes a deliberate effort to shake-off the pity party, the funk, or nameless dread. I recognized the heavy way I feel, contrasted with the
joy and gratitude I found while browsing the Interwebs, and I made my deliberate move to see the good stuff. There is good stuff. All around.
I see books, waiting to be read... a first time, a tenth time. I see my tape measure, and I think
yes, there it is, and later when I want it, I may not have to turn the house upside down searching for it. There is
the hat I crocheted, and owl, too. Our
felted soap, which twice this week made gifts for loved ones. I see a basket full of note cards, for thank-yous.
Resisting the urge to chastise myself for not sending those out to the dozen, or so, people who deserve a thank-you... focusing on my good intentions. Is it too late to say thank you?
Quiet morning, all to myself, with the urge to see the good stuff... and where does this take me?
The garden. I stood at the gate, seeing them, Van Gogh's sunflowers, as though in conversation, and I hesitated a moment, expecting them to invite me in, to greet me.
They turn to the sun, and look up. They are expectant, too. I love their faces, the intricacy, such fine precise detail, boldly standing, following the sun. They speak without words, they are comfortable with the quiet.
Passion flower vine cuttings. We are waiting for them to root, so I can plant them along our fence. They make me think of our first visit to the
Biergarten, the small transplants along the fence, and seeing them flourish in the last two years. It's a hopeful act, rooting cuttings, planting, waiting... it takes faith. Am I comfortable with the quiet, do I have faith?
Caged tomato.
Hang on little tomato!
There is stirring. Benjamin, slipping out the kitchen door, reminding me of more that I love... kitchens, glass doors, our old bench, my
woodjie-woodjie-fur-baby-muffin-of-love, and effusive endearments.
Summer light, a lemon, an aloe, garden gloves, old tools. I see the things we love, the things we reach for, in sickness and in health. Squeezing lemons, the air vaporized with citric summer... I cannot be quiet about the smell and sting of lemon juice... it is too good.
I cannot sit here, any more. The day is moving ahead, with both good stuff and
other stuff. I see it, and I am ready to move with the day, and say thank you.
