The Lily Year

If the first year is paper, and the 5th year is wood,
then the 16th year is memories of jars of star gazer lilies
intoxicating smells welcoming me home, and
soft shadows of green trees on the wall and winter walks with hot wine.
And wishing wells full of the coins of future dreams,
all in a rich velvet album in my mind.

The View

Sometimes, you have to just sit back and feel the wow of it all
the days might be hard and a bit long
and the struggle is not always satisfying
but the view from this life
is amazing in big ways
and in small ones too.

Moments of Waiting

Sometimes I just feel like
I am waiting
for something to happen.
And I am not sure what I expect it to be.
But I try to enjoy the sunshine
while I wait. 

Tug of War

The pull between
the possible and the practical is a constant
in my life these last 4 months.
What Can I do? What Must I do? What do I Want to do.
These questions push and pull at eachother
every day. And most nights too.

Hmmmm...

Sometimes we are just
extremely skeptical
about how it will
all turn out.

Down to the Lace and Fried Foods

I love watching an event come together
and then feeling the buzz in a room full
of enjoyment.
Sometimes it is my own show
and sometimes someone else's
but my pride and enjoyment
are strong just the same.
Last night was fun,
and filled with good people
taking on a huge task
and doing it to perfection.
Including lace curtains, checkered cloths
and perfectly fried fish and chips.
God Save the Queen.

Impossible Spring Planning

The weather is so changeable
Hot and sunny one day- cold and grey the next
it makes it hard to plan
event to choose an outfit for the day.
Put away the blankets and sweaters or no?
New projects moving in fits and starts.
While we wait for the spring storms to clear
and things to make more sense.
It is all a metaphor, of course.
These days what isn't?

Pushing Piles of Paper

Instead of pushing piles of paper around,
and carrying them from work to home to work again.
Today, thankfully, I have a cheerful helper.
Sorted, stashing, and smiling her way
through my mess!
The smiling is the BEST part!

A Closer Look

Sometimes you have to look closely
to find the beauty and the peace.
Sadness today in Boston.
Stressful life anyway.
But still there was Cheshire cat moon
peeking from amid the cherry blossoms last evening.
And remembering simple things
like that can make a difference.

Fragile Moods

 It does not take much.
Some flowers and sunshine
on the porch, to lighten the load.
Good small reminders
that roots are long, flowers are to
be stopped and sniffed at.
and that the seasons turn and
things do not remain either as good or as bad
as they might be today.

Soul Sunshine

I need a deep soak in some soul sunshine
sticky joy for repairs and sticking together the broken parts.
I need quiet and time and calm moments with
no expectations and no legal tender.
Just a sunny patch of peace and maybe even a little prosperity.
Ending months of stress and disappointment.
But seems like it is not yet to be.
Just need to grab little bits of beauty where I find them
And keep my strength up.

sunshine makes all the difference

The weather is everything sometimes.
not much has changed, but today
the sun helped
bake a little joy into
the mix

One Armed Woman

It's like not being able to connect the dots or finish a sentence
relying as I do on my help in this foreign place.
after 16 years. I can write my name.
And I can understand what is going on.
But I can't talk about it.
And I get less and less done.
beyond frustrated.

Global Nomads

We call ourselves, and revel when we can
in being global nomads.
Open to the world.
For now just in dreams and wishes and fantasies.
But it is a small bright light.
Knowing that we will roam again.
And see amazing things.
Or just sit, and watch and drink
strong tea. And smile at people.

Gambatte

Gambatte =
Keep a stiff upper lip.
What doesn't kill us, makes us stronger.
Soldier on.
If at first you don't succeed, try try again.
Get back on the horse.
And so it goes.

Uphill, both ways...

I am trying, honestly.
But it needs to get a wee bit easier.
please.
(just a little bit easier - would help a lot)

Playing

We all learn from playing
and meeting
and talking
and then playing some more.
Some of our teachers are bigger, older, wiser.
Some are smaller, younger and they remind us to be silly.
Best path is to be open to all of it.

Roots

Thank goodness for deep roots.
Across countries and oceans,
miles and years, friends and their friends.
I am so supported, and my drive and desire
is to support others as soon as I am able.
One leaf and branch and planter at a time.

Strange is in the eye of the beholder

Some days I don't event notice
Some days life just looks a little strange
where ever I gaze.
Something is just a bit odd about
my life here.
Even in the best of times.
Which this certainly is not.

Preparing

It is not warm enough yet.

But that does not stop me from wishing it were so.

Getting ready 

for what I hope is a much 

much much

better spring.