Wildness

Welcome, friends! I hope this week's been good to you.

It's been a wild week in the world, hasn't it? I don't ususally discuss what's going on in the news but this week it seems impossible to ignore the craziness. Market madness, fleeing fugitives, cities burning... What gives? It all makes my head spin. What about you?

All I know for sure is I'm glad to be tucked away in the middle of nowhere. Peaceful. Quiet. And, the only chaos is what I create in my books. I like it that way.

The new book? Currently our sweet heroine is whipping up a batch of yummy goodness while the go-to guy contemplates his past. Neither is going to be on their own much longer. In a few pages sticky fingers will do some walking and the past will be put aside, the present much more insistently deserving attention...

How are you? Is all well in your corner of the world? I hope it is. And I hope you have a peaceful weekend. Thanks for stopping by!

Smellavision

Evidently Blogger had issues on Friday so I was, like countless others, unable to post or comment. Very frustrating!

Just thought I'd pop in on this rainy Sunday morning to share this sweet bunch of grape hyacinths with you. How I wish you could catch a whiff! They were amazing!

I hope you have a peaceful Sunday. Me? I'm going to do some weeding. Yes, in the rain. The weeds just pull right out when the soil is wet. Besides, it's only water and, believe me, I'm not so sweet I'll melt!

Thanks for stopping by!

Week In Review

Whew! We made it to Friday, didn't we? I've got to say, some weeks that feels like a huge accomplishment.

This has been one jam-packed week. A few highlights...

One day spent dodging raindrops while running errands. You'd be surprised by how drenched a body can get just going in and out of the car. But, banking, grocery shopping, posting, etc. all accomplished.

Spent all day yesterday doing yardwork. Wrangled with the pushmower for a bit, but the stubborn thing finally started so I mowed in the tight spots I can't possibly reach with the lawn tractor. Love it that things look less shaggy now!

Actually cooked a few times. Progress there, and I've got enough red rice and beans, beer bread and cranberry-chocolate clusters left over that I won't have to cook again for at least a day. Maybe two. No complaints there.

Am creeping along on the writing front. Really, creeping, trying to find my way in that part of my life. It feels different now but I'm working on getting used to it. On the whole, I'm pleased with the story I'm writing so that's an encouragement to keep going. Really, I want to see how it ends.

My biggie for this week? I learned how to change the oil in the lawn tractors! Yes, I did! I gave them a tip-to-ah, it's not toe, is it?-tail servicing and now know how the tractors operate. There's much more to it than just turning the key. Who knew?

So, what about you? How has your week gone? And have you any plans for today?

I'll be out in the yard again today. Working on weeding and mulching the blueberries. As I work, I write in my head so hopefully I'll get that story moving along.

I hope you have a peaceful day! Thanks for stopping by!

This and That

Between raindrops, I've been exploring the grounds. We missed last spring, so roaming around and rediscovering this and that warms my heart. I thought I'd share some of what's here with you. Ready?

I love daffodils. They make me smile, bobbing in the breeze.

They make me smile in the kitchen, too.

I wish you could smell these hyacinths. Heavenly!

A few weeks ago I cleaned all the birdhouses.

We have nesting going on in every one!

Pussywillows are attractive even after they've put their best face forward. And the tree grew so much since last year. It's huge!

This week when I'm not tramping about, I've been working on a new story. It feels good to write, especially surrounded by so many beautiful sights.

So tell me, what's going on with you?

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you have a peaceful weekend.

Taking a Plunge

If you read this blog regularly, you'll know that I've been absent from The Lark Journals for over a year now. Thank goodness, Kathy and Margaret are still blogging regularly and have kept the journal alive while I was away. I am so grateful they did, very appreciative of their kindness and dedication. Also, for their unending support. You see, I have needed all of those items, things these amazing ladies have given so freely.

My brave husband recently lost his battle with a monstrous disease. He was courageous, valiant and loving throughout the ordeal but in the end we didn't have the outcome we all prayed so hard for. I hate it that such a good, kind, brilliant man has had his life cut horribly short. He was my best friend, the joy in my world, and I miss him more than I can begin to say.

So, now you know where I've been. But thanks to my fellow Larks, I've got a warm "nest" to return to, so I'm back. I won't try to pull the wool over your eyes. There have been moments these past weeks when I can barely think and am certain I have nothing to say to anyone. Still, there are hours, more as time passes, actually, when I feel somewhat like myself. So, a blogging I will go.

Thank you, Kathy and Margaret, for having me back. Thank you for keeping this place alive. Mostly, thank you for your friendship and support. I don't know what I'd do without you. You are the best.

It's beginning to look like spring here--finally!--on the farm. Vito's bees are waking up, there are buds on the fruit trees and the vineyard will soon begin to unfurl its slumbering leaves. Flowers will be blooming, baby birds will be taking their first tentative flights and warm breezes will caress my cheeks as I watch dragonflies' reflections on the pond. There will be peace.

I'm praying I will heal. I'm on this journey so unexpectedly it's difficult to know how the path will unfold. All I know is that I'm going to keep putting one foot before the other, and if you'd like to see how this goes I'm willing to share it with you. Honestly? I need the companionship, so please check back now and again. I'll give glimpses of life on this beautiful farm with you and perhaps we'll all be enriched by the experience. That's my hope, anyway.

Thank you for stopping by. Have a peaceful day. I know that's what I'm going to strive for!