money well spent

Valentine’s Day was a week ago. Today I bought myself a present. Gorgeous clearance roses for $5 and a $10 book.

February 21, 2014

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Promise

milkshakesandheartaches:

I hope on the 

ashen stone

that will stand

above,

you will sing

me a song

of how much 

my life affected

thee.

Do not weep

or leave me

flowers that

will wither,

just promise

to bestow your

beauty for

those whose

eyes still see.

Yes. This. Thank you for writing it. Monday it will be six months since my husband died. “Sing a song” and “bestow beauty.” Life is happening now. We are to live it. Grieving is part of my/our journey. We loved. We mourn. We miss him. We remember. We are still alive. Speaking for my boys and I. So many loved and cared for him and prayed us through. Our family that we made together. We are thankful and blessed. Again and again. “Sing a song” and “bestow beauty.” Got it. Will do. Yes. This.

February 22, 2014

love seat thoughts

I walked my Blue dog this morning, just like every morning since we got him as a three month old pup. I wore my favorite new zebra rain boots to keep my feet dry, my black winter coat with a turquoise hat and gloves for warmth, and carried a red and white umbrella too. It felt a little bit mixed up. Thankfully the dog did his business quickly and we turned around for home instead of circling the big block like we usually do. Will wake the still zzzz’ing boys soon. I love sleeping during thunderstorms. This morning’s was a doozy and made me want to stay in bed. It is calmer outside now. I hear some birds chirping through the outer walls, over the din of the ticking clock. That signals it is calm inside because in midst of commotion the sound of the clock is drowned out. I will wake the boys soon. Sitting still a moment longer. Tick tock. Tick tock. Chirp. Surprisingly the wind chimes are silent, though not for long. The wind is predicted to pick up speed this afternoon and gust throughout the night. I’ll look forward to hearing their melody later, when the day is wrapping up, and I have another moment to sit still and woolgather, in this, my favorite love seat spot. Rain is pouring again. Thunder resumes. Boys getting out of bed will be the next sound. The day has officially begun here.

February 20, 2014

whackadoodle winter

snow piles on the ground
thunderstorms now
water is pouring down
it is loud
rain pelts the roof
thunder
lightning accents the noise
BOOM
flash of light
mercury reads 36*F
this would be a mega blizzard
if four degrees colder
flood watch in effect
due to snow melt + pouring rain
the ground is saturated
high wind warning is added
35-45mph up to 55-60mph
severe wind gusts tonight
all in one day
what a weird winter
and it’s not over yet
Illinois does crazy weather
really really well
we are sort of known for it
You don’t like the weather?
just wait
rainy days soothe me
watching snow fall charms me
everyday can’t be sunny
appreciate the days that are
make the best of the rest
even the all mixed up,
little bit of everything,
snowy, windy, rainy, cold ones
like today promises to be
here I am
talking about the weather
because it is downright
whackadoodle
like me

February 20, 2014

music in the air

The birds are singing again. Not just the crows, but the songbirds. I noticed recently while walking Blue. Subzero wasn’t song-worthy or, I just didn’t hear them singing. I’m sort of not sure.

Yesterday, I first wrote these words in an email to a friend. This morning I heard a pleasing lilt yet again. Louder though, were those blasted crows.

February 19, 2014

burrowed in

I am “a winter person.” I am. I love the coziness of winter. Bundled up clothes. Sweatshirts and sweaters. Fuzzy socks. Fleece blankets. Soup and hot drinks. I don’t mind shoveling snow either and have done LOTS of that THIS winter! Granted, I am also appreciative when my snowblower owning neighbors help me out with those extra big drifts. Blue is a snow dog. He and I have had a lot of fun making side by side tracks in fresh snow and climbing through drifts. Ice is another matter. I don’t mess around with ice, like the wintry mix hitting my windows now with a rat a tat tat. Burrowed in suits me just fine, as does winter. However, I am saying so quietly, just a whisper. When spring comes I will delight in the green and sigh at the daffodils. Summertime’s hot makes me wilt a bit, but I love the length of the days. Then the colors of fall foliage and a briskness in the air. Each season has beauty. Winter is for hibernating, resting, burrowing. Suits me. Especially this year. Honestly, my favorite season is whatever season I am in.

February 17, 2014

swoony moony ooey gooey love stuff

the moon is full tonight
feels right
planned special
for the hopeless romantics
who swoon
and go all dreamy
in the glow of moonbeams
shining a little brighter
for a little longer
on Valentine’s night
add some snowy sparkle
and twinkling stars
for outdoor ambiance
then fall
into each other’s arms
or in love
for forever
under the irresistible tug
of the full moon
call it fate, serendipity
or meant to be
just love
while you can
time is short
a blink

February 14, 2014