An Ordinary Day

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An Ordinary Day

Writer’s block. I have writer’s block. I am looking at this blank page of paper, wondering what to blog about, and the idea section of my brain is vacant.

I could write about...no, not that…

Or I could, um, maybe…

Or…

Nope, I’ve got nothing.

(Sigh) Well, I suppose I could tell you about my day. I got up this morning after sleeping in a bit (it was 8 am). I went downstairs, made some coffee in the French press, then ground some oatmeal and made homemade waffles.  After watching a little TV, I changed the sheets on the bed and talked to a good friend on the phone, as well as my oldest daughter. I ate soup and a sandwich for lunch, cleaned part of my bedroom, then had a baked potato with some beans for supper. I also made sure to get in all of my steps on my Fitbit.

All in all, it was an ordinary day, nothing big or special — just ordinary. There is so much that happens on an ordinary day. 

The page is no longer blank; it was quite a full day.

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Purple Carrots Bleed

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Purple Carrots Bleed

Oh, my, gosh!! There are some super crazy things you learn only by experience. I learned one of these super crazy things today.  I love multicolored vegetables, but then again, I love lots and lots of color — so it’s only natural that like to see lots of color on my dinner plate.

For dinner, I baked chicken breasts with potatoes. The vegetable I prepared to go with this was sliced multicolored carrots: orange, white, and purple. There were some leftovers, so I put everything in the same bowl in the refrigerator knowing it would make a great lunch in a day or two.

Today when I went to warm them for lunch I quickly learned that purple carrots “bleed”! I learned this because all of the carrots were purple, the potatoes were purple, and the chicken was blue. I warmed them up anyway and ate them and they were good.  I suppose that there is an analogy in there, like: never judge a lunch by its color or pull out the purple carrots before you put leftovers in the refrigerator.

That’s my story for today.

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Early Spring Gardening

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Early Spring Gardening

The weather has been crazy! It got almost cold for a few days, but other than that it has been like spring here in Charlotte, NC. I do admit, even though I went on about missing the snow last week, I really have enjoyed getting out to my garden the past few days. Plants are peeking through the dirt early: I have Swiss chard ready to eat already!

I have a lot of extra work to do this spring in my garden because October, November, and December were so very, very busy with wonderful family events (our family gained a daughter and a granddaughter!), so I just had to leave my beds until later. I am certainly not concerned about it — besides, with the weather being so warm I can get out and get started.

The big upcoming project is changing the location of my largest flower garden this year. We put a shed in our driveway and because of that the garden is in a very awkward spot. It has to go elsewhere in the yard, so there is a lot of digging in my future (If you need something to do let me know, I have an extra shovel!).

As 2019 ended, our family grew by two, and 2020 is already showing new growth in my garden. I think I’ll take this as a sign that the seeds of life that have been planted are going to sprout,  take root, and grow early this year — better be ready!!

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Snow

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Snow

I miss the snow. I grew up on a farm in the mountains of Upstate New York and in the winter there was always snow — deep, deep snow. There is a calming silence that I feel after a storm that leaves a foot (or two) of snow on the ground. That old carol comes to mind, “all is calm, all is bright.” It is so true after a snow storm. The blanket of white covers everything and leaves a touch of itself on every surface: the ground, the top of the house, the branches of the trees, the fence posts, the barbed wired, the tops of cars…and all is calm; after all, it’s not like you can go anywhere until the snow plow comes by.

You spend a long morning hanging out in your pjs sipping hot chocolate until the beauty of that fresh snow calls to you to come and play. You change into heavy clothes and prepare to go outside. You put on two pairs of socks (and cover those with a plastic bread bags to keep the wet away from your socks), put on your snowsuit, boots, hat, scarf, and gloves, then you realize you should have gone to the bathroom first… (it always happens that way), so you take it all off and have to start over. Then finally you open the door and step into that new unbroken surface.

The reflection of the sun on the crystal white surface nearly blinds you (“all is bright,”), but you endure it and begin to design trails, and forts. You notice bird tracks on the top of the snow. Your dog comes out and jumps and frolics, disappearing into the soft piles. You make snow balls and throw all but one at your brother — then you sit and eat the last. You find some icicles, break them off, and you eat those too. Your cheeks become a rosy red and after an hour or so you go back inside. The bottoms of your pant legs are wet, as are the cuffs of your sweatshirt, so you change back into your pjs, hang up your wet clothes, and head to the kitchen for more hot chocolate and a couple of cookies.  

Yes, I miss the snow… if only for a week or so.

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Making Space for 2020

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Making Space for 2020

On January 1, 2020, Steven and I took down our Christmas tree. The ornaments have all been packed away and placed in the attic quietly waiting for the year to pass again. The green needles from the evergreen have been swept up and the furniture has been put back into place. Taking down the tree has always been a bittersweet time for me, but I find symbolism in it. The Christmas tree was brought into the house in anticipation of Christmas Day. The house was filled with extra chairs, additional food, family, and we all had a joyous time together. After Christmas everyone left, and it was time to prepare for the New Year.

Taking down the tree on January 1st is like making space for the New Year to come in. Taking out the tree stand, putting all of the decorations away, taking out the extensions on the dinner table, packing up the Christmas dishes and linens — it all creates room for the New Year. The decorations I put out each December bring back memories that I cherish but putting them away again allows new experiences to be welcomed into our home.

As I look at my 2020 calendar I see that I have a lot in store for the year. I am excited, expectant, anxious and, if I’m honest, in some moments I am terrified (breathe, Lona, just breathe!). It is all going to be good! I have a feeling you might feel the same way as you consider your 2020 calendar.

May you have a wonderful, joyous, happy, and productive year with many a new story to tell and share.

And remember: breathe, just breathe.

Welcome to 2020!

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