Ten seems like a lot

List 10 things you know to be absolutely certain.

Well. Here goes (I read the prompt after a conversation about knowing practically nothing. Promptly afterward)

1 The sun will rise

2 The sun will set

3 The tide will come in

4 The tide will go out

5 Most living things breathe

6 The first breath we take is in, Our last breath is out

7 Change is part of life

8 Everything dies

9 Love is a higher, lighter vibration than hate

10 No two people are the same. There never has been or ever will be a person exactly like you.

Age and Time

What do you think gets better with age?

Understanding, wounds, investments, cheese, wine…

Time heals.

The passage of time is interesting. It ages everything, but it also softens and smooths. It helps us get used to things. Get to know things, comprehend and understand both people and circumstances. It helps practice add up and become proficiency. It unravels puzzling details and soothes and heals pains and breaks, both physical and emotional.

What gets better with age/time? Not everything.

The things that do, are hard to describe in a word, but we all know them…

Things I Didn’t Know

I’ve already been on two walks this morning. It’s not even 9:30.

I walked with a neighbor and we discussed grass. I know. Not a conversation I’ve ever thought about having, but ours is looking patchy and brown and I’m ever curious. After pointing out healthy growing grass in a variety of shade to sun ratios, to my 80 year old neighbor, (who kept a good pace, by the way). She suggested lime. Maybe nitrogen but not at the same time. No one knows why the grass on one side of the house looks like it’s dying. G says it’s always been like that. Oh man.

My next walk was longer. I decided to do the full loop. When I walked under the largest of trees it sounded like rain but then when I walked out, dry road, damp air, no drops.

It looked like the trees were raining! I’ve never seen this before. The leaves were so wet from the cloud of moisture in the air, that they gave off a gentle steady shower of drops. My hair is wet, the road is wet, this really wasn’t my imagination!

Here is something else I never knew. Hydrangeas start out pale and light, but develop the most vivid blues and purples and pinks. If I saw them in a flower shop, I would swear they were dyed.

I’ve been pretty obsessed with the different varieties just on this and our neighbors yards. I spent hours cutting dead branches in early spring. Then days waiting for them to finally bloom. Let me just say, they far exceeded my expectations.

The new dark green leaved branches, hang heavy to the ground with blossoms, and the color! Oh MY! I used to only like the white ones, but wow, these are stunning and they are everywhere!

The whole bush got so much bigger, but see how it’s sagging in the middle?

I’ve cut so many to bring inside because they only last a short while. I love that you can’t tell! If anything , cutting might help the bush not sag so much.

Here are some pictures of my walk

No filter, that’s the natural color

Comfortable Days

What strategies do you use to increase comfort in your daily life?

If I drink a lot of water, eat pretty well, and exercise moderately (yoga, fast walk), remember to be grateful, take steps to stay upbeat (meditate, read, music) I feel the most comfortable on a daily basis

Doing a little art every day, eating something special, a fun outing, hanging with friends, or grandkids, makes a day even better.

Lately, the weather has been interesting. Wet and warm in the mornings. Hot and foggy all day. Maybe a tiny bit of sun in the late afternoon. Then out come these invisible flying bugs which bite and itch. I’ve been told that if there was a breeze or some wind, they wouldn’t be out. Getting comfortable has been a little challenging, but doable.

I have dabs of pale pink calamine all over looking especially bright against my tanned legs and arms.

How could I not be reminded of childhood? Running up and back from the dock, barefoot in the damp grass, gardening (I’m not even sure what that is, mostly I’m picking little weeds and counting green beans, wishing a tomato would just turn red already), all day long and into the evening. Who can remember going out to play AFTER supper? Walking and walking, and walking…there are so many places to check out. Kiddie Beach, Pleasure Beach, Musquamict, our beach, the forested roadsides, Millstone point, there’s even a little store we can walk to.

This must be comfort. The comfort of nostalgia and nature, of fun (my boat, a new dock…) Something about appreciating what is, but it definitely helps if what is, is lovely.

Little Things

What are you most excited about for the future?

Tomatoes. My boat in the water. Seeing my kids.

I’ve been living a very unpredictable life. I don’t know what my future is going to look like outside of this next few weeks. I’m actually getting used to not knowing. It’s an interesting exercise for sure.

The latest development is the passing of our patient. He died quite suddenly, though his health has been getting worse and worse, (we were getting used to him pulling through always). Another round of steroids and he’d be fine-ish for a little while.

But no.

The rest of us have been getting used to life without him. Sad

But relieved that he is no longer suffering.

It’s been a little surreal around here. A twist in the plot.

Life for me isn’t so much like starring in my own movie, as it is staring in someone else’s sitcom. I don’t know what to expect, I just show up and do what I’m doing, no telling if it’s right or not. Character development. I think maybe that’s what it’s about, maybe…who can say…

Meanwhile, I have a boat to name and launch (it’s a whole thing). And a garden to tend…

Inches away

I’ve been working on this little boat for a while and it’s finally almost finished.

Almost.

Every time I say that, another five things show up that need a least one trip to Lowe’s or Home Depot or a local boat shop.

Today, I need to choose a font and a name. Its supposed to be hot and humid.

It IS hot and humid! Hard to get motivated.

This is like my book. Work and work, and then there’s still more to do…until?

I do have a new idea. So there’s that.

I’m guarding it closely, so I don’t lose motivation, which as I’ve mentioned already, is feeling challenging at the moment.

So, just a little update. I have a freshly painted boat, a nearly finished dock to tie it to, an idea for a new book, and a garden full of green tomatoes. (Oh and a tan)