We survived.

[ambitious_wench]

Well, the storm was a bust. We did get snow late last night, but not the amounts predicted by either the local forecasters, or even by ScottB, the alt.dbs resident meteorologist. Today the sky outside my window is that brilliant blue, and I can see the tree limbs swayinging with short, sharp movements, and I can imagine a bitter wind stirring them. I worry about the plants in my greenhouse. I think that I have mentioned that I have an hibiscis, and a plumeria out there. I also have a Munstead lavendar plant, and a lemon verbena. To finish it off, a have a pot of pansies, and a collection of tulip bulbs already sprouting. The green house itself is small, a mear 6' x 10'', or so, with a curved roof. I have my Compostwin out there, but for whatever reason, it just isn't heating the way it should. So, to be sure to keep it warm, I've run a power cord to it, and have a small space heater running, hoping that it will keep the temps above freezing. I had set it too low before, and the leaves on the plumeria blackened, and died. The main stem is still sound, I think, and I hope it will come back. That was the one plant that I inherited from Mom.

We also survived Christmas, the first Christmas without Lynn's mom. It wasn't easy. Lynn was not happy--at one point, bursting into heart-wrenching sobs, crying "I miss her, I want her to come back!" I ached for her. We held each other in the kitchen, each dealing with our loss as if it had just happened. Eventually we dried our eyes, and I stirred the gravy, and Lynn left to take a nap. It was so surreal.

I made a leg of lamb dinner, and also lamb stew. Mashed potatoes from scratch. Very good. The stew has potoatoes from my garden. Delicious. To my Ozian friends, no offense, but I think I prefer American lamb. The stuff they ship up here from Down Under is just too gamey for my taste. I have to wonder if you guys keep the milder stuff for yourselves!

Easter is the next hurdle. Valentines will be a piece of cake--I think that massive amounts of Chocolate will be a big help. What a pity that Jay doesn't work at Godiva any more. But Easter, that was another favorite of mom's. One good thing about it is the cheap stuffed animals we can pick up for the dogs. Boo and Seamus love playing tug with stuffed rabbits. Teddybears, too. The yard will be covered in white fluff. So will the house, for that matter.

I know we will have more roast leg of lamb at that time. And I am sure that the tears will come.

We miss you, Mom.



Fallow Way
Words and Music by Judy Collins
Universal Music Corp. (ASCAP)/ The Wildflowers Company (ASCAP)
(Administered by Universal Music Corp.)

I'll learn to love the fallow way
When winter draws the valley down
And stills the rivers in their storm
And freezes all the little brooks
Time when our steps slow to the song
Of falling flakes and crackling flames
When silver stars are high and still
Deep in the velvet of the sky

The crystal time the silent times
I'll learn to love their quiet breath
While deep beneath the glistening snow
The black earth dreams of violets
I'll learn to love the fallow time

I'll learn to love the fallow way
When all my colors fade to white
And flying birds fold back their wings
Upon my anxious wonderings
The sun has slanted all her rays
Across the vast and harvest plains
My memories mingle in the dawn
I dream of joyful vagabonds

The crystal times the silence times
I'll learn to love their quietness
When deep beneath the glistening snow
The black earth dreams of violets
I'll learn to love the fallow times

No drummer comes across the plains
To tell of triumph or of pain
No word far off battle's cry
To draw me out or draw me nigh
I'll learn to love the fallow way

I'll learn to love the fallow way
And gather in the patient fruits
And after autumns blaze and burn
I'll know the feel of still, deep roots
That nothing seem to know or need

That crack the ice in frozen ponds
And slumbering in winter's folds
Have dreams of green and blue and gold
I'll learn to love the fallow way
And listening for blossoming
Of my own heart once more in spring

As sure as time, as sure as snow
As sure as moonlight, wind and stars
The fallow time will fall away
The sun will bring an April day
And I will yield to Summer's way

Comments

[turnberryknkn.livejournal.com]

Losses are hard, especially this time of year.

Best wishes.