I’m sitting still, in the dark, quiet of morning, before the sun lights up the dawn, listening to the most melodious of birdsong.
Quite lovely.
Blue dog is sleeping at my feet.
Two sweet boys are still asleep in bed.
Will move in a moment to get the coffee on.
For now, I’m a bit hypnotized by the sound of the family room clock tick tocking, intermixed with an upbeat chirping song from the other side of outer wall.
April 7, 2013
My hair is a rats next of tangles from that wicked wind.
I’m am so wrung out and weary I’m leaning against the wall as I stand and type.
Will take more Tylenol next, find something hot and filling for supper, and look forward to the soothing water of a hot bath later tonight.
Much later.
Sometime after the dog is walked for the last time and both boys are tucked into their beds.
Later.
Hopefully within the next three hours.
Hope.
A sustaining emotion.
The ultimate Soul Food.
April 6, 2013
A l’il excitement walkin’ the dog this morning. Started off the same as usual, on the literal bright side, with sunshine, blue sky, glints o’glittering light upon the melting snow. Next thing I know, Blue’s hand-me-down pinch collar fell off as I walked him through the park. Second day in a row. Yesterday I heard the, “clunk” as that silver metal collar hit the ground with the leash attached and I grabbed ahold of his regular collar ninja FAST. Today we both heard the clunk and that too smart for his own good pup took off at an all out run! He headed for the fence line, darted to a grove of pine trees, while I ran the other way, snow boots makin’ tracks, and shouted to that racin’ dog, “BLUE! Come and get me. Good boy.” I wanted him to stay in my line o’sight. I kept on running, and called out, to keep him in the park, and away from the road. The road scares me. He has no sense. Crazy dog wants to chase cars. Blue got close enough I could catch him, it’s a game he sorta loves. Me? Not so much! Grabbed that collar, clipped the leash and caught my breath as we walked on toward home. I’m a long distance walker. Walking I can do. Running has never been my thing. (Insert a visible shudder as I flashback to high school P.E. and that mandatory run ‘round the track.) Home now. Thankful. Breakfast, coffee and art making is next for me. Gotta have the art made, framed and delivered between 5-7pm tonight ‘cause the “What’s So Good About Good Friday?” Art Show is tomorrow. Ah. Art. That always makes me smile. Quiet content kind. Even when I’m runnin’, literally and figuratively, on not much sleep ‘cause the wee hours of the night are calmest for art making in this house with busy on Spring Break boys, a wild woofing pup, and cat that sleeps atop me at night. That’s my day thus far, and a snapshot of what’s ahead. Saw the sun comin’ up from my bedroom window and said, “Good morning.” Needed that calm and peaceful moment to face what was comin’ next.
March 28, 2013
I walked Blue through the park this morning early, our favorite route, while a cold rain fell. As my peacock adorned rain boots hit the wet sidewalk, after we made it through and were headed on toward home, these words rang in my head in a steady rhythm:
“Grit, Steel, Grace and Love
that’s what Janean Baird is made of.”
Of course it should read, “Janean Marie Thompson Baird” but that’s too long and ruins the word flow.
I’m going to wake up the boys next and plan on unplugging as best I can to make art today, for that is the soothing balm my aching and weary soul needs most.
March 11, 2013
I’ve stayed out of the boxes of Swiss Rolls in the pantry. They are for the boys of the house. However, this poor l’il Swiss Roll duo traveled round trip, all the way to school and back. It returned home uneaten, due to a fundraiser bake sale. Well, you know I took pity on it, I didn’t wanna waste, and no one else would eat a less than perfect looking one…. So, OK OK, these two I ate! Yum.
March 8, 2013
I’m wool gathering in the kitchen
warming my hands
on a ginormous mug o’joe
leaning on the counter
dishwasher sloshing
running humming
boys watching Clone Wars
now nearly through
snow covers the ground
February air has snap
inside is warm
my kitchen spot the best
for quiet contemplation
coffee drinkin’ daydreams
blue sky is emerging
from behind a wall o’clouds
wool gathering
thinking
not just a barnyard pursuit
baa
brrrr
ya sheared me a l’il close
not yet anyway
shearing is for Spring
after winter wind abates
real wool gathering time isn’t here
not quite yet
February 23, 2013
I made this valentine for my family yesterday. Chocolate kind. Inside and out. In the heart shaped pans my Grandma Thompson gave me, well over 20 years ago. Funny thing is, even though they’ve been mine for that long, I still think of them as hers, and think of her, with a smile, each time I use them. Happy Day After Chocolate Day! Yes, my two sweet boys had hunks o’chocolate cake for breakfast. Why not?! I count it as a pastry, along the lines o’donuts and cinnamon rolls. Plus, it’s a half day of school (Parent’s Day) and we’re going out to eat for lunch.
~ Janean
February 15, 2013
I prayed aloud as I walked Blue on our usual route in the biting wind, at times towing the dog to follow me, as I pressed on against the frigid gusts.
I am not a quitter but I’m not a stupid fool either. < Just had to add that!
God can move mountains. I’ve seen and felt Him do it, time and time again.
I trust God. I love Him too.
Trying to wake up sleepy boys and need to corral a barking dog who has the cat cornered behind the dryer.
Must be Monday morning, and a school day at that.
February 11, 2013
6:40a.m.
NOTE TO SELF: Don’t uncrate the happy to see you big dog, while just wrapped in a towel with another towel wrapped turban style upon your head. ‘Cause if you do, the one on your head will fall off, the other one will slip, and that dog’s pointy nose doesn’t need to go THERE…
The bright side is: I had an oh so lovely, steamin’ hot shower, on a rainy, thunder-stormin’ Tuesday morn. Rain helps. It just does. Soothes me on the inside. Pourin’ down by the bucketful.
Once I throw some clothes on, and feed my dear sweet boys, Blue dog and I are walkin’ in the rain. He’ll be wearin’ his usual tan paws and I’ll be wearin’ BOOTS…my peacock adorned rubber rain kind.
~ Me
January 29, 2013
6:45am
I’m going home today. HOME! Wish it meant my husband was sprung from the hospital near Chicago, but he’s not. I’m going home to my two boys, ages 12 and 9, and that striped cat. My sweet pup, Blue, who I miss too, comes home on Monday from the canine resort. Home to central Illinois where the land is flat and fertile, though the fields lie fallow, and the bare trees of winter show off their curvy bones. Oh. Home.
January 26, 2013
Turquoise Tangles 