Marshall Fields’ Clock, originally uploaded by Atelier Teee.

Every clock in my house is set to a different time:
-My alarm clock is 20 min fast
-The LR clock is 12 min fast
-My watch is 9 min fast
-the clock in the car is 10 min fast

I think it pretty much drives my family crazy, but I really really hate being late and having all these “early” clocks helps me not to be tardy to my appointments or obligations. My kids are also never late to school.

John thinks having the clocks early is silly, because we just compensate for it. I don’t think I do, because seeing that minute hand near my appointment time–even if it is a “faux” time–gets me moving faster every time.

peach rose, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

–Sometimes I’m almost embarrassed by how happy my garden makes me. When people walk by and I’m grinning at nothing in particular I’m sure they think I’m a bit off my nut.

–Chatting with some garden neighbors over the fence and we were talking peas and spinach and such practicalities. Then they remarked on how healthy my new rosebushes are looking and added, “Your garden just wants to be a rose garden.” I think they’re right. This summer is going to be amazing with all 24 rosebushes! (oh, and not to worry, I’ll plant me some tomatoes, too…)

–This week I’ve been cleaning all the grit and cobwebs off the porches–especially the back porch. I was getting everything all set back there for a summer of evening enjoyment (nothing better than candles and just sitting in the warm evening on the back porch). I realized that what the porch needed to be ‘just perfect’ was a small round cafe table–for a teacup or my laptop and for a vase of freshly-picked flowers in the center. So I told the universe that’s what I wanted and thought I’d wait and see if/when one came my way via a friend or freecycle. It didn’t take long. Said table appeared on my bike ride home from the garden. Thank you, cosmos!! 🙂

Long Whiskers., originally uploaded by mind on fire.

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things

Cream colored ponies and crisp apple streudels
Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings
These are a few of my favorite things

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes
Silver white winters that melt into springs
These are a few of my favorite things

Pic above is of Bobette, our foster kitty, who’s a source of endless delight around here. She has her own fanclub on FaceBook now because she’s such a rockstar!

daisies!, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

If you know me well, you surely know that I’m not a morning person. I suspect that this is the result of many years of insomnia-related intermittent sleep patterns. In the mornings I’m short-tempered, I don’t want to talk, and I don’t smile or giggle much at all.

However, I’ve recently noticed a change in that pattern. I’m appreciating how full of possibilities my mornings are. Even though I often still hit the snooze button, it’s far less often than before (like maybe twice instead of 6 times). I don’t grumble through the morning carpool and I find a lot of joy in those moments where I’m planning my day–so many possibilities.

I suspect that mornings are going better because I’m sleeping better at night. It might be the result of more exercise (you try paddling a canoe for 2.5 hrs and then see how well you sleep!) or those novels that I’m now enjoying each evening before bed. Or it might even be the little kitty-sprite (in the form of TobyJoy) who’s started sleeping at the side of my pillow for the first few hours of each night.

I don’t know, but I have to say that is does feel very good to have my mornings.

“To him whose elastic and vigorous thought keeps pace with the sun, the day is a perpetual morning”
~Henry David Thoreau

technicolor dinner, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

This is what we’re having for dinner tonite with a bit of yummy cheezy sauce on top. I can’t wait!

Brooklyn, NYC., originally uploaded by mind on fire.

Just a quick tribute to my growing GameBoy. He’s about as tall as I am, wears shoes 2 sizes bigger than me, and lifts heavy things as if they are nothing at all. It’s really a thrill to parent a growing teen boy, especially one who’s still quite ticklish and has a delightful giggle.

Jana at Sushi on my bday., originally uploaded by mind on fire.

A different picture of me on John’s birthday. One without, um, cake..