Spring

Ah Spring….what a beautiful day it is out today.  Bright sunshine, warm breezes rustling the budding trees.  Look, by the shed, the crocus and iris are just popping up through the soft ground.  

 

From you have I been absent in the spring
When proud-pied April, dress’d in all his trim,
Hath put a spirit of youth in every thing,
That heavy Saturn laugh’d and leap’d with him.
Yet nor the lays of birds, nor the sweet smell
Of different flowers in odour and in hue,
Could make me any summer’s story tell,
Or from their proud lap pluck them where they grew:
Nor did I wonder at the lily’s white,
Nor praise the deep vermilion in the rose;
They were but sweet, but figures of delight,
Drawn after you, you pattern of all those.
Yet seem’d it winter still, and you away,
As with your shadow I with these did play

Sonnet 98 by William Shakespeare

How I love this day – the promise of renew…..I so have missed you, my beloved spring, truly I must be lost in a daydream – awash with your beauty…….   MOM….MOM….MOM!    Wake up – you fell asleep and Bella needs to go out……it’s very cold and snowing again; she probably needs her coat on…. 38 days till Spring

I remember you......

 

I remember you…  

You smell like my family, but I don’t get to see you that much.  Where have you been?  Oh that does not really matter, let’s play - it will be fun. 

Remember our hike in Vermont this summer?  You helped me learn how to go up and down the mountains – we went fast, ran and leaped - I felt safe.  I was young then and was not so sure of my abilities or really of you.  Mom tried her best to teach me, but well, she’s mom - you know, goes slow sometimes - too careful – ssshhh…. don’t tell her I said that, don’t want to hurt her feelings.  

Everyone is so happy when you come home – it makes me happy and excited too.  Mom cried but I could tell she was o.k., she was also laughing and smiling.  Mom does that when I do something special too…. You must be special like me.   Can we play now?  I can’t wait to go outside - in the snow, it will be great, I will get you my favorite stick.   You know, I think we are going to be great friends for a long time…..

Do you remember me?

 

January

January can be cold and dreary in many parts of the country.  Certainly here in the Midwest we have been experiencing a tremendous fluctuation with our temperatures.  This in turn has been making most everyone’s moods, well a little moody!!

 

Short days, cold gray skies and limited activity can make even the best of us a little cranky…..even Bella is a bit short on good mojo! 

I have decided to use today’s blog as sort of a mental infusion of positive energy for anyone who reads this, including yours truly.  In no particular order are some of the things I will continually remind myself are a great reason to be happy during the month of January (and beyond!):

Health – funny that I put this at the top of the list as this has been an interesting month with all sorts of fine tuning health needs.  All teeth, including Bella’s, have been cared for and we are happy to report big cheesy smiles will continue.  Go to the dentist – regularly, that’s all I am saying, and take care of your pet’s teeth as well. Their breath and good health will thank you for it.  One more thing about health, think about the foods that you ingest.  While culture, region and personal preference can influence your source of nutrition, balance what your mind thinks is good, with what is truly good for your body.  I am learning that the hard way, but I am grateful to have the opportunity to learn it and make it right.  

 

Birthdays – 3 out of 6 in our family (human family, not furry family) have January Birthdays.  I love Birthdays – I really do! When I was a little kid we always had small but happy memorable occasions to celebrate.  My kids will have those same memories of joyful, family filled parties when they were truly the stars of the show!  Even my furry family members have received a special treat on their big day.  While I love Birthdays – sometimes they don’t always love me.  So my happy thought for this year is to remind myself that a birthday is not measured by the size of celebration or gift given to you, but by the gift you give yourself.  Give yourself the joyful acknowledgement that you are unique and special but most of all be grateful to the lord for the gift of another wonderful year. 

 

Family – January is one of those months due to a large amount of days spent sequestered indoors, most of them with other members of your family who are equally as happy as you are for the continual company - when you really have to muster up a bunch of happy mojo and clever opportunities to keep sane.  We are no different than most families, love, love, love being around each other, but can’t stand it when hours turn into days turn into – I AM SO BORED!!

 

This January we had a few “snow days” and thank goodness for Bella – as she was our constant comic relief (see previous posts).  In addition to Bella’s antics, there will always be the inevitable “statement” of the moment that somehow becomes part of our family’s vocabulary….they are hilarious and if only to us, they make us smile and be thankful for US……

Watch out for the Black Cows!!

 

 

Creativity – This one ironically makes me the happiest, especially on a dreary January day.   All of my family is so talented and creative – I could burst with pride!!  All of them – human and furry!!  We have comics, princess divas, musicians, artists, builders, debaters, protectors, healers, writers and most importantly – faith filled, good hearted kind souls who make incredible contributions every day to this world. 

This is why I smile….. in January!!!

 

Dust of Snow - by Robert Frost

The way a crow

Shook down on me

The dust of snow

From a Hemlock Tree

 

Has given my heart

A change of mood

And save some part

Of a day I had rued

 

Dust of Snow

The way a crow

Shook down on me

The dust of snow

From a hemlock tree

 

Has given my heart

A change of mood

And saved some part

Of a day I had rued.

 

 

Sparkle in her soul.....

 

Can you see the sparkle in her soul?  I can…. unending curiosity, determination, and comical happiness.   I could go on and on about her!  I Love her.  No apologies.   There is not a moment- even when she is being the independent free spirited Ridgeback that she is - that I don’t just marvel at how fast she is becoming my best friend.  Now, let me preface that with the fact that I have had and still have some very dear friends – and I adore my children and husband.  But there is something about the unconditional love from your pet that transcends all prejudice and judgment.  It is just pure love.  This blog could be just about Bella, but there is another dimension that I would like to share.

Can you see the sparkle in her soul?  You may think you see her face over a mountain or peeking out of a forest. The spirit of your sense of place can be elusive.  But oh when you find her – you will definitely know!!

I have not really touched a lot on this subject yet, because I have so much to say about my beloved Ridgeback Bella, but always in the back of my mind, I dream about how wonderful it would be to be doing __________ (insert the activity here) in Vermont.  Living in both the Northeast, South & Midwest has afforded me the opportunity to be part of communities that are as diverse as they are alike.  Each location has had its natural beauty, incredibly kind individuals and more than enough opportunities if you were willing to go for it.  The time spent in each place is loaded with treasured memories for all of my family.  Each one has their personal best location as well as the not so great from the list.  Undeniably each and every home has been part of the destiny and fabric of our lives.    

While living and staying in any one of these locations would have been perfectly suitable and for many these places are their forever.  What about those who are still looking - still restless, disconnected - but just can’t understand why – it could be that you have not found your sense of place. 

 I only visited Vermont as a child, then again as a young adult, more interested in skiing and having a party then understanding the resonating pulse of the community.  Growing up in the Northeast - up in the sticks as it was called, did lend me to develop certain affinities to a lot of the core attributes of what makes Vermont so special.  It was only after coming back to Vermont years later with my family for a vacation did I understand and recognize.  It was the feel of the sun on my face, the smell of the rain, the color of the sky in the morning and the rhythm of the woods.  It was like a bull horn screaming into my soul….look around….look at the eyes of the people who live here.  They were not desperate eyes searching.... they were content, albeit tired from a long day of work, but content.  Confident they had already found their sense of place.  Passed down for generations……they understood – and while doggedly protective of their heritage, so genuinely happy to share their bounty with those who would appreciate and understand.

 

 

 

You cannot force a sense of place – you can create comfort and security, but a true sense of place will have to find you.   When she does, she will fill you with spirit and joy, wonderment and enthusiasm.   Allows you childlike freedom of pure happiness and gives you the sustenance to go on through difficult times.   The ability to truly feel connected - a deep sense of belonging, my sense of place - Vermont. 

 Have you found yours?