Tranquility

Tim's classes wrapped up last week, and since it was also his birthday, we went south together to our former stomping grounds for two days.  Of course I wanted to visit one of my favorite spots - Montgomery Place.  Having had an extremely mild winter in upstate New York, a lot of the flowering trees, early flowers, and the stunning magnolia in front of the house had long since bloomed.  However, we did catch the end of the daffodils, the start of the lilacs developing buds, some fiddle heads furled and unfurled, one lone fritillaria that didn't photograph well, pansies pushing up through the cracks in the brickwork, several frogs and toads, and the general splendor of the grounds at large.  Bard College has purchased this historic site somewhat recently.  We are wondering what plans or possible changes are in the making.

Below appears to be a work space leading into the greenhouse.  It's part of a very charming building alongside the formal gardens with a long patinaed gutter and moss-covered roof.  Were it not for the chain across the door clearly meant to keep visitors out, I might have wandered inside and explored further.  It smelled of earth and dried things and old things and stone.  Growing up across the street from a greenhouse / florist has given me a permanent appreciation for places like this.   

the view into the greenhouse next to the formal gardens

What a lovely collection of feathers, baskets, nests, antlers, leaves, dried flowers, stones, etc.  This is definitely my kind of spot.

I was fascinated by these hanging nests.  I've read orioles build this type.

 

This little window caught my eye as did the wisteria seed pods in the tangle of branches.

The wisteria arbor in full bloom last spring.

stuff and things

Vitality

I've just recently joined Instagram.  Go ahead and roll your eyes.  I'm well aware that not owning a cell phone, choosing not to be on Facebook, and participating in very little in the realm of social media is not the norm these days.  It's just how I roll.  However, some good friends had a beautiful baby boy not long ago, and their activity on Instagram inspired me to join.  (One of my latest finds in the blogoshpere, thanks to Flow magazine, also inspired me to join because her photos and words are pure joy.)

In light of others' photos, I thought I'd share some myself.  Apparently, spring has put a pep in my step and given me some much-needed motivation.

part of a bouquet from Trader Joe's

Examining my thread stash to see if a trip to Joann was in order.  I keep my sewing supplies in a cookie tin, just like my mom  and my grandmother used to do.  My tin has a Muppets motif - Miss Piggy is dressed as a cheerleader on the lid.

 

part of the Vischer Ferry Nature and Historic Preserve near Clifton Park, NY

Painted turtles sunbathing on logs.  I just learned the group names for turtles - turn, dole, nest or bale. 

 

Saw this slithering in the shallows.  It stopped and held still so I took several photos.  I later learned it was a northern water snake, a species known to be aggressive.  Yikes.

a view of the towpath one can stroll alongside the waterways

Perhaps this den belongs to the muskrat I saw swimming nearby.  It dove before I could snap its picture, but it was a pleasant sighting nonetheless.

thinking about garage sale season quickly approaching and what new delicate goodies I might find

a collection of garage and estate sale purchases from last year

can't seem to walk by the teacups and saucers without oohing and ahhing...or buying!

my ritual lap bonding with the kitten - we do this pretty much every morning

Returning

Living in my hometown again for the first time in....sheesh....over fifteen years has proven interesting.  In so many ways.  Here are just a few examples of what's happened in these last three and a half months:  I've moved into a part of town I'm not particularly fond of but have since found somewhat charming (mostly because of our large, cozy, cottage-like flat); I've watched my stepfather wage war against health issues that started with a stroke last summer and continued through winter with surgery and radiation treatments for a cancer from which he is now free; I've become a great aunt for the second time to a precious, soft, sweet-smelling, Mohawk hairstyle sporting little girl named Jersey; I've watched both my sisters come to terms with relationships that weren't working for them (one of them almost three decades in the making) for one reason or another and plan the next steps in their lives as solo women with hope; Last week, as many family and friends looked on, we celebrated the life of my Uncle Bobby and put him to rest after a massive heart attack took him at too young an age; I've worried about my mother's health as she's struggled with multiple issues and additionally was diagnosed with pneumonia a handful of days ago. 

sweet Jersey and her fabulous hair just hours after she was born

All this in addition to a new job, Tim starting his last semester of graduate school, and the every day stuff that life requires of us.  Phew...the words emotional and overwhelming quickly come to mind!  But this is what life throws our way at times.  As they say, the good with the bad.  And there is always plenty of good.  A new baby is certainly at the top of that list.  Day to day, it's the smaller things such as conversations with customers that are little moments of enlightenment.  My great nephew giving me a hug and a kiss on the cheek.  My stepdad's cherry cheese cake and his silly sense of humor.  Tim's general thoughtfulness and willingness to clean my hair out of the bathroom sink drain.  Visiting with cousins, aunts and uncles who I haven't seen in a long, long time.  Random happy memories coming back to me as I drive through this town - often things I haven't thought of in decades.  A snuggle with our kitten or playing hide and seek with her when she's just eaten and is feeling sassy.  Seeing an old school friend and catching up in the grocery store.  And sometimes it's as simple as new pajamas, clean sheets, or a seriously good cup of tea.  

These last three months have been a bit of a whirlwind, but in some ways, so have the last several years of my life.  Moving from here to there.  Working here and then there.  Living in one state and then another, one country and then another, on one continent and then another.  It's been an interesting time to say the least.  But living here again has made me realize just how much I've changed and just how blessed my life has been. 

My friends have often asked since Tim and I moved back east "remind me again why you are living there?"  My response has often been "sometimes you just have to go home."  So despite some not so great moments in these last months, I truly am glad that I've had the chance to reacquaint myself with where I grew up and spend time with the people I've known the longest in my life.  I don't know that we'll be here much beyond Tim's graduation in May, but I plan to enjoy now what returning to this area affords me.  Besides, there are surely more good times to be had and more good news to be heard.   

Happy Valentine's Day

I came home from work last night to find a sweet card, a vase full of pink and purple flowers, hot cocoa packets, and home made (from scratch) chocolate chip cookies as my gifts for Valentine's Day.  This morning I found a heart-shaped one in the mix.  Tim said it proves that he made them with love.  Awww....how cute.  He's a keeper.

Happy Valentine's Day everyone.  

bits of past explorations

Happy New Year

Do you begin a new year with resolutions?  Do you declare a word that you hope will guide you through the next twelve months?  Do you suffer anxiety over what you feel didn't get accomplished the previous year?  Or do you close the chapter on December 31st after some reflection and then wake up on the 1st with renewed determination and optimism? 

Admittedly, I've done all of the above.  At times, I've tried to do all of these things and more at the beginning of a brand new year.  And sometimes I've not bothered with anything typical of what people resolve to do come January 1st.  

For 2016, my big picture goals are this: to practice gratitude, to focus more on my personal needs, and to be more present in my day-to-day life.  There are a few more tangible things like getting better at wire-wrapping beads and learning to cook a bigger variety of foods, but I'm emphasizing self-improvement on a mental wellness level this year.  

This photo of Miss Penny sort of emotes that looking within inclination I'm experiencing right now.  She looks rather Zen, no?