February 28, 2007 ~ Hurts and their Salves
Wednesday.
I have one last set of "In the Life" pictures for the WordGoddess collaboration.
Thursday, February 22, "In the Life":
Swannanoa River
After an uncomfortable conversation with a collection agency (I'm sorry, lady, but old library fines are not exactly at the top of our priority list right now), I decided to treat my sour mood with a hike by the river.
We did not go as far as I expected. Despite the sunny, sixty-degree weather, the strong winds made it feel very cold, especially along the water. We had come ill prepared for cold, so we turned around at Riverbend. The time by the water served its purpose, however. My spirits were quickly restored.
Riverbend Pasture
I had figured that it was too early, but I scanned the ground the entire way, looking for blooming spring beauties and finding not one. Right before we reached the trailhead on our return trip, however, my vigilance paid off. The first spring beauty of the year. Tiny and delicate, it fluttered in the wind.
spring beauty
Friday, February 23, "In the Life":
balancing pine needles
He explores the world through every sense. He takes what little he can find on the porch and makes joy from it. He tilted his head back to grin at the bright blue sky. He picked up fallen pine needles and brushed them against his face. When he balanced them on his head, he turned and laughed with me as they fell off. When I broke a pine bough, he pressed it to his nose to smell the sap, mimicking the dogs with his loud sniffing. He paused in his play to listen to the wind chimes and then sing back to them. After fully exploring its texture with his hands, he popped a hemlock cone in his mouth to taste it.
Our play was bittersweet that day, and I teared up a few times there on the porch. It's too much to go into right now, but suffice it to say, my ability to stay home with him has been very threatened lately; the possibility of daycare for him and a job for me loom close, only warded off with a lot of help from family. The thought of some stranger watching his breakthroughs and not caring, all of these beautiful, love-filled moments passing with someone else, minus the love... I felt gratefulness for what we have mixed with fear for what we could so easily lose and an overarching protectiveness so fierce it frightens even me.
Saturday, February 24, "In the Life":
grilling dinner with Joel
Grilled asparagus and some grilled patties made from mushroom proteins for me (I know it sounds weird, but they're really good) and grilled pork for Morgan and Joel.
Sunday, February 25, "In the Life":
tea
Cramps. An inclination to stay home and curl up in a little ball. Lots of tea, and as much quiet as we could manage.
Monday, February 26, "In the Life":
sunset, Dogwood Pasture
When Morgan came home after a stressful day at work, I surprised him with a backpack full of a picnic dinner. He, Grove, and I hiked out to Dogwood Pasture to eat and watch the sunset. It was beautiful, and we all came home in better spirits.
Tuesday, February 27, "In the Life":
creek, Dam Pasture Trail
A good day, a good hike on Dam Pasture Trail. We passed the ruins of the old dam. That little creek used to provide all of the electricity for campus.
pine woods
I love how I can see so much variety in terrain and vegetation in just two hours on foot.
Dam Pasture
Wednesday, February 28, "In the Life":
crocuses in our front yard
At the beginning of the month, after the mess that was January, I was determined that things Would Get Better. And even if they didn't, I would remain positive and hopeful. And they did get better. This month was not without it's trials and setbacks and hard decisions, but things are getting better. And I'm full of motivation and hope for the rest of this spring.
our front yard
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