"Forever is composed of nows." Emily Dickinson
1. Dog-walking, 6 a.m. The moon is at the zenith and an enchanting silver ring encircles it
2. I play two selections from the Handel's Messiah albums. No matter how many times I hear the familiar Hallelujah Chorus it still makes my heart skip and my spirit soar. It's not just the music, it's the verses...
3. The entire day outside! It feels so good to do outdoor, physical work. We have the annual "mowing-of-the-hill". The purpose of this is to be prepared for snow and sledding since the snow accumulates quicker on the shorter grass. Doesn't anyone else mow their sledding hills?
4. Steve gets the old lawnmower running again. It's a temperamental thing, but whatever he does, it runs great today. He kept our old dryer going for almost 30 years. I'm pleased that we can keep making do.
1. Bright morning sun illuminates two bucks that jostle and joust at the top of the hill. The does graze nearby, ignoring the boys' antics.
2. Children, inexperienced with scissors, are given the task to trace and cut out their hands on wildly colored paper. The end product is endearing.
3. Hot water bottle at my feet for bedtime.
1. How satisfying to be paid for working. A super-simple concept, but so rewarding! I thank my parents for instilling a work ethic in their children.
2. I take down and wash dusty items from the shelf. I wouldn't have known they were dusty just to glance at them. But once down, oh my! Now they really sparkle and shine.
3. Making preparations for tomorrow this evening. A head start will relieve some of the burden of rushing around come morning. Then I switch off the light and put the kitchen to bed.
1. I woke to the gentle call of a hoot owl. It was a peaceful, mellow sound that made me in no hurry to get up.
2. Today was a day set aside for more garden clean-up. Most days are committed to other responsibilities and the list of outdoor chores builds each time I pause at the window. But today was the day I eagerly awaited and brrr, it was cold!
3. I am extremely thankful for gifted teachers. Whether they be through schools, or books, or churches or whatever. It makes
such a difference to sit under someone who is passionate about what they teach, articulates it well and speaks with educated authority.
1. Election day. To cast my vote is an honor and a privilege that I respect. A way for all of us little guys to voice our opinions with the push of a button.
2. I see Audrey coming down the road on Vandella. They are walking at a very slow pace, soaking up the beautiful day.
3. We have a delicious chicken soup from leftovers that is quick to make and
very tasty. I prefer this recipe to my usual long-cooking one. I got it last spring from
The English Kitchen. Marie's recipes are wonderful.
1. We have time to spare, so we head for the coffee shop in the bookstore. The wonderful aroma greets us at the door and we relax at a table with our comfort snack.
2. I don't play the tagging game very well and we laugh at my ineptness.
3. The moon rises over the horizon and it is enormous! We keep looking at it, trying to believe it is real. I feel like I'm on another planet, whose moon would loom so large. After a while, it rises up to a normal size and brightness and I am more comfortable with it.
1. We find a
perfect spot to plant the laurel shrubs. I like this challenge of being given a plant, researching its likes and needs, and then finding it a home.
2. An old, blind, dog turns up in our yard. I call the animal control officer and he knows where the dog belongs. I am so relieved to have the old boy get back home. (We have so many strays turn up at our house over the years that we have gotten to know Officer C. and he is the nicest man.)
3. I think we are handling the time change admirably.
