Visiting a fellow blogger’s website (goldmourn) yesterday, I discovered this quote by Father Alfred D’Souza, an Australian philosopher/theologian:

For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin — real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be got through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life.

This elicits, from me, a groan of frustration.  But I notice too that my frustration isn’t long lived.  As I sit with this idea, I find that mood is chased away by a deep sigh of relief… and peace.

This is the Port Gamble Post Office… it’s where I go nearly every day to pick up our mail. I didn’t imagine how much I would enjoy this little errand. It’s a new thing not having our mail delivered in the mailbox at our home, or even through the front door mailslot. Turns out, this is a nice time to connect with the postmaster (we are small enough that she runs the place all the time and has been a delight to get to know… she even gave me cuttings and sprouts from her plants with tips and tricks on how *not* to kill them)… I’ve met neighbors and chatted with tourists…

All in all - an unexpected treat in the mix of my day.

These daffodils live outside the post office. Daffodils are known for declaring the arrival of spring. Yet, as I type, huge snowflakes are falling and my weather alert program on my computer is manically popping up with the message: “Heavy Snow Alert! 3 to 7 inches expected by afternoon“. While the now is coming down thick right now, it isn’t sticking. I have my doubts about the 3 to 7 inches. But still, it’s almost April people — we have had the coldest and most fickle March I can remember. The cherry blossoms on the tree outside has got to be shivering and wondering if Mother Nature got the memo about spring buried under all the other paperwork. Hopefully that memo surfaces soon.

In the meantime, I’ve got some desk cleaning and organizing to do myself. I spent a few minutes this morning writing down everything I want to get done. I have to say, the list has some heft. When I have this much to do, this is when the tough in me gets going and puts it off by writing about everything I have to do on my blog.

We interrupt this blogpost to say: WOW! The snowflakes are ENORMOUS! Seriously they’ve got to be two inches wide! Stunning and beautiful! This picture doesn’t do justice to the scene out our front window. Amira & stood on the porch and watched the show. Amira said, “Mama, they’re playing! The snow is playing!”…

Giant snowflakes falling on cherry blossoms, budding willows, new growth cattails… it’s clash of the seasons. Quite the treat, really! Okay, back to our regularly scheduled blogpost…

This little bird was the first to find my bird feeder. I put it up a couple of weeks ago and it sat lonely and unused. I was so excited to see this little one. He’s been a wonderful herald to the rest of the bird community, because since then we have frequent avian diners to our all-you-can-eat buffet.

Below is the first peek of our home as you come up our driveway. Amira shouts “There it is!” every time we drive up when it first comes into view. Forgive the blurry, wet smears on the photo (that’s my windshield) — it was pouring too hard to get out of the car when I took this picture. I know, I’m a wuss.

This home, and our situation surrounding being here, couldn’t be any more blessed. I hoped and prayed for something like this when we found out we were going to have to move. But honestly, I didn’t expect it to happen. One more reason to just put away being a cynic, closet or otherwise.

Okay… now back to that to-do list.

My flu, aches, fevers and chills have turned into sore throat, chest congestion and ear infections. Ugh. But I don’t want to talk about that so let’s chat about something else.

How about the torrential Amazonian rains we’ve had falling since 2am that foiled my plans to go to Point No Point County Park and Lighthouse with Paul, Amira & the dogs? Hmm…. no, not that either.

Sure, we could chat about the condition of my home and its dreadful state of affairs after my being sick for so long… but that’s no fun either. It might be interesting (in a car wreck kind of way) if I posted pictures. But you know THAT isn’t going to happen.

We could spend a few moments chatting about how much fun we are having this weekend dog sitting Levity our landlord’s Great Dane. And we would have to laugh a little about how much *not fun* it is our for cat, Freeni.

I could share with you quietly that I’ve lost a little weight. I’m excited about it, but I don’t think I’ll actually tell you about that because I have a fear that if I tell people about it, I’ll either a) gain the weight back and/or b) not be able to lose any more. So, yeah, no — not going to tell you about that.

Hmm. I really want to chat, I really do. I just don’t know what to say today. Maybe when I’m finally feeling well again.

Since I’m drawing a blank, and I know I’m a good listener — it’s your turn. What’s happening in your world? What do you have to say? Stop and share a little in the comments… or leave a your blog URL or a direct link to something you’d like to share with me. I’m a good listener. Chat away.

I’m sick again.  Ugh.  The last thing I would want to say in a blog post are those words.  But there you go.  I was well for my birthday (Sunday) but by Sunday evening I could feel my throat.  And Monday morning, aching, feverish and exhausted.  Today, chills, aching and exhausted.  Tomorrow — well, let’s hope for feeling better!

Amira has been very patient with her less than 100% mama.  I’m grateful… it’s got to be confusing for a 3 1/2 year old when your mama is so shut down.

Hopefully the next time I’m here, I’m on the mend.  I have several things I want to share with you.  Til then, take care of each other. 

If you are in the Seattle area, you could try it out tonight!

When

Friday, March 14, 2008 at 8:00 PM

Where

Gasworks Gallery
3815 4th Ave NE Seattle WA
Seattle , WA 98103

For more info, visit PaintDancing.com

Read the online version here.

I am fascinated by these creatures… I hope you enjoy them too:

My sweet beautiful daughter gave me her cold and today has been an old fashioned sick day.  A lot of tea, a lot of kleenex, a lot of cat naps and not much of anything else.  Amira’s been sick for a few days and I thought I was going to skip over it.  Yesterday though, I accidently took a drink of her water instead of my iced tea… and while the bug may have already been brewing — I blame that germ-laden toxic water glass for this cold.

Hopefully a good night sleep tonight will have me feeling better tomorrow.  We are taking the ferry over to see Mom & Dad and their new condo.  They took possession last night and are meeting with an interior decorator tomorrow morning to discuss colors and layout.  Should be fun to sit in on that meeting.  I like design and hearing her recommendations will be interesting.

Night all!

I found artist Kate E. Austin’s blog yesterday. She has a fun post on making plarn… yarn from plastic bags. Check it out. I love when people come up with inventive ways to re-use things. Here’s her how-to video:

And here’s a bag she made…

I wonder what else you could make?

Isn’t there a magazine or website that highlights ideas like this? I’d love to learn more ideas about reusing, repurposing, recycling, reclaiming… etc.

Yesterday was nothing short of stunning. There is a chill yet that keeps nipping away at the edges.

I met my Dad in Kingston for lunch. We sat in a restaurant called The Filling Station. It boasts a view of the ferry terminal. We wanted to sit outside but it was just too cold. We sat at a table where we basked in the sunlight streaming in the windows so long that we actually got over-warm. While we ate, we watched the sun dance and shine on the water.

On my way home, I picked up our mail in Port Gamble. There I noticed rows of crocuses, white, yellow and purple, all in bloom.. and the daffodils there are still wrapped in green, but are promising to show their bright yellow faces soon! I’ll take my camera next time and snap a picture to share with you.

Today, there is fog. It froze overnight. I think I can hear all the early bits of spring cursing themselves for not dressing for the weather.

I just finished cleaning up Amira and her room. This was because, when I put her down for her nap, I accidentally forgot the lotion bottle in her room. She proceeded to cover herself in lotion… quite thorough and quite thick.

Hope your afternoon goes great and is filled with only appropriate amounts of lotion…

Love,
Janece