Headlines ...

 Steam rises from my mug and I gently blow on the coffee before taking a small sip.  Looking at an overview of today's schedule, I wish I could bury my head back under the covers.

 I'm in a strange position at work of wanting to give the new advocates a solid foundation of correct information, but not really being in any official capacity for that.  So I quietly take some of them under my bat wings and offer them assistance when I see they are being misled by others. 

 We have frequent surveys at work to reveal whether or not we are feeling burnt out from the job.  While working from home can sound like the perfect job, it can become monotonous.  I'm currently working with chat systems and can go an entire week without physically speaking to another human if I don't make a point to reach out to friends before I start my shift.

 ~*~*~

 "Can you believe it?  She actually had the gall to demand that he gives her a salmon-pink diamond as a promise ring!"

 "A promise ring?  What on earth for?  To keep his name out of the headlines when she goes public with having a fling with a very married politician?  I wonder which hand she would flaunt it on."

 "I heard that he actually bought her a pair of ten-carat emerald earrings, but his wife found them in the safe and thought they were a pair of hers that she hadn't worn in a while.  She wore them out to the fundraiser dinner the other night that his mistress was also attending and he nearly popped a vein when he saw them on her.  He had already told his mistress that they were going to be her birthday present that weekend, and you should have seen the look on her face when SHE saw them also!"

 "Oh, I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall that weekend.  Maybe we'll still get to read about it in the headlines!"

*~*~*

Participating in Words for Wednesday here on Drifting Through Life's blog

Sunday ...

The weather was amazing and beautiful today!

I have grape and regular hyacinths coming up in the front garden.

There will be about 25 tulips blooming in another week!

The rhododendron (or maybe a mini azalea?) is also blooming.

On the drive last weekend we passed through a forest full of rhododendron that will be just beautiful in another few weeks.  Another road trip!

The crab apple tree in the yard is also going to bloom soon!

I drove Deborah up to the farm she is selling this month for just a walk into the woods to grieve and let go.  It is 100+ acres and will become a Christmas tree farm.  Charlie went with us and forgot that he isn't a two-year-old puppy anymore.  He ran and chased a wild rabbit, having the time of his life.  I thought I was going to have to carry him back to the car after a while.  Needless to say, he is sound asleep right now.

My aunt sent me this picture of my dad and me at my 1st wedding in 1986.

The dress was hers and was also the dress my mom wore when she married my dad.

Good memories.

family ...

N: "He's mine you know.  Not yours.  No matter what you say or do, he will never, ever, ever be yours."

C: "Yes, Nadena.  I know that he is your child.  I'm not trying to replace you as his mother.  I'm just trying to be his friend and give him a strong foundation for the future that shows the two of us can work together for his benefit, along with his father."

N: "YOU are not to be involved whatsoever in creating any kind of foundation for Devan.  That responsibility is strictly for me and Jason.  I don't want you involved in any way with his life."

C: "That is going to be a little difficult to do, Nadena, since I am now married to Jason, and Devan does spend part of the year with us.  Am I supposed to just pretend he isn't here when he visits and completely ignore him?  Devan has come to me asking things that are inappropriate, and he's basing that on what you have told him when he calls you every five minutes."

N: "You be careful with your tone of voice when you speak to me, *itch.  My son has a cell phone so that he can call whenever he needs ME.  Not you.  If he is coming to you for ANYTHING you need to tell him to call ME or his father.  He should not be asking you anything at all.  Ever.  Do you understand me?"

Image Source: Bing

It was a good thing during the two years Jason and Devan were in my life that we were never on video calls.  Otherwise, Nadena would have seen me flying around the house flipping birds at everything she said.

I knew by that time in my life, I would never be having a bio-child of my own, but I still longed for a "family."  I believed, wrongly in this relationship, that co-parenting Devan would be the best thing for him and would be easy-peasy.  But Nadena continued to dig into my heart and soul with each hate-filled lie that she spewed in my direction through her manipulative control over her son and ex-husband.

The joy that I first felt in helping Devan decorate what would be his bedroom when he stayed with us turned into sadness. Instead of taking those lemons and making lemonade, I used the slices in rum and cola drinks as I hid away from him on my serenity deck every time he came to visit.  I tried not to become attached to Devan, but it was difficult when I saw in him the hurt and frustration that mirrored my own childhood of divorced parents.

Yesterday morning, I enjoyed breakfast with a family of my choosing.  Celebrating the 60th birthday of my friend with carrot cake and coffee.  Time spent laughing and making plans for future weekend road trips.

I'm participating in Words for Wednesday here.

unplanned adventures ...

 Saturdays should be flexible.  They can often lead to unexpected adventures and amazing days.

 Earlier in the week Nancy and I had tossed around the idea of going to a small bakery, in a small town, in the next state.  But the weather looked like it would be cold and gray and so we decided not to go.

 Until the day turned warmer and sunny .... we loaded up Charlie, and another friend, Deborah, and hit the road.

The James Monroe
Image: Sugar Mountain Bakery

 Sugar Mountain Bakery in Rich Creek, VA [<link to click] is well worth the hour-ish drive through beautiful farm country in [link to click>] Monroe County, WV, and on part of their barn quilt trail.  We enjoyed delicious panini sandwiches made on freshly baked donut bread for lunch (Nancy and I had the James Monroe ~ slow-roasted chicken breast with pesto, cream cheese, provolone, and bacon.  Deborah had their Hokie with pepper turkey, pepper jack cheese, their own sweet pepper jelly, bacon, and banana peppers.) followed by AMAAAAZZZZZING

Image: Sugar Mountain Bakery

 donuts for dessert.  

 I'm just gonna say that their maple bacon donut is melt-in-your-mouth incredible.  Nancy had the Nutter-Butter (cookie), and Deborah's was an apple-filled one.  We also shared some pecan bites that Nancy bought.  Sort of like a bite of pecan pie that was drool-worthy.  Just sayin'. (okay, maybe I was the only one of us who was drooling, other than Charlie who did not get to enjoy any).  Charlie did get a bite of my sandwich, and his own doggy treats, tho, so he wasn't completely un-spoiled.

 On the drive home, we stopped to look at beautiful stone buildings in the [link to click>] Salt Sulphur Springs Historic District near Union, WV.

There were also some beautiful homes nearby that were probably built around the same time. 

I love the upstairs front porch!

 After that, we stopped to see the Indian Creek Covered Bridge [<link to click] that we had passed on the drive down. Charlie was pretty happy to explore that!

bits and bobs ...

 ... that was one of my mother's favorite phrases.  She'd mail me clippings of cartoons or newsy articles that she thought I needed to read and call them her "bits and bobs."

 The only five daffodils to bloom in the yard (so far) were close to freezing the other day when it was snowing.  I cut them and put them in a vase of warm water, and they were very grateful.  The peonies I transplanted from my previous rental are all starting to come up, and I'm so excited!  There are even some transplanted Easter lilies that are starting to make an appearance.

 Winter is still not done with us yet, but we've been fortunate to not have snow like parts of the northwest or northeast.

 However, there was one morning when Gracie managed to sneak out unseen just after midnight when I let Charlie out for a minute.  Temps were below freezing that night, and I had set the security cameras on silent so did not hear the alert as she tried to get in for the next five hours until his spoiled hiney wanted to go out again.  The rest of the day she spent snuggling up with Lucy or me, trying to get fully warmed up.  She was a bit "off" for the next week and I was watching her closely to be sure that she wasn't sick.  Fortunately, the camera showed that she stayed close to the door and there weren't any interactions with the other neighborhood cats or wild animals.

 I've been fighting off a little bit of depression the past few weeks.  I made a decision to leave the church I'd been attending since August 2021 when there were things that the leadership was doing that went against what I believe the Bible says we are to do, and who Jesus calls us to be.  It was a difficult decision, and I miss seeing some of the members.  I've been attending a smaller church plant within walking distance and beginning again the process of making new friends.  My new work schedule limits the events I can attend to just Sundays, and while I love my schedule, I've become even more isolated.  I'm working hard to save for a car by the end of the summer.

 Thursday morning, my friend Nancy (Charlie's Auntie Fifi) came over before I started work with her neighbor's dog, Cotton, for a play date.  Charlie, of course, doesn't always play well with others, but he did manage to enjoy some games of tag and keep-[his toys]-away from with her.   Even Gracie, who had been avoiding going outside since her unfortunate adventure on Sunday morning, came out to roll in the sun on a rare warm morning.

 The backyard area there is one that I want to work on as soon as the weather warms enough so that I can stay out for longer periods in the summer and fall.  Rather than putting flowers in the ground, I'm planning on keeping them potted or hanging, and even considering a small solar water fountain.

 So those are my "bits and bobs" for the week.  I hope that your weekend is warm and lovely.

                           Be blessed.     ~Ci~

can you imagine ...

 

Imagine, if you will, standing in a field surrounded by spring blossoms.

 In the distance, likely by a still unseen and unheard creek, comes the sound of tiny spring peeper frogs loudly proclaiming the season by trilling their salmon-pink throats.

 On the air is the fading smell of winter:  wood stoves, crisp snow, and hot chocolate.  Quickly replacing it are the floral perfumes that for some, cause them to check their spring allergy supplies.  Fruit trees are blossoming, forsythia bushes bursting forth in bright yellows, and new leaves are on all the trees. 

 A visit to the gardening center to check off this weekend's do-do-to-do list, and stopping to see if I can find an old wrought iron gate at an antique shop to use for new climbing roses I want to plant.

 I have abandoned all hope of finishing projects inside the house that didn't get done this winter.  I'm no longer immune to the fresh air and sunshine outside my office window.

 The Earth is a temple to be cared for and loved.  Feeling her heartbeat in my hands as I dig in the soil to plant love, ministering to her children: the birds, bees, butterflies, and animals with the flowers, trees, fruits, and vegetables I plant.  Knowing that I am willing to sacrifice a tenth of the harvest for their care.   I dress in the habit of my faith for her ... old shoes, worn jeans, a lightweight, long-sleeved shirt, and a floppy hat to protect my skin from the sun ... and prepare to sing her praises.

I am participating in Words for Wednesday here.

Marching forward ...

 March's St Patrick's Day tree with some Spring ornaments, will become the Spring/Easter tree in April.

 In other news, the bathroom is slowly getting finished, but as the weather has been warming up, I've been less inclined to spend time inside, and more time outside in the yard.  

 The spring bulbs that were here before I moved in are beginning to come up.  I'm going to map out where everything is to plan where to plant more bulbs for Spring 2024.  In addition to the crocus, there are some daffodils coming up and maybe even tulips.  I haven't yet seen the lily-of-the-valley I transplanted, but the peonies I transplanted are coming up, and two Easter lilies.

 Unfortunately, this weekend has snow in the forecast, so I might actually get the rest of the painting finished in the bathroom.  The last two weekends this month will be tied up with an art class, and a trip to a Celtic Festival I'm really looking forward to [men in kilts, YES!].

 My backyard plans have become less permanent (and expensive) and more affordable and transportable.  There is a possiblity that moving will become necessary at the end of the summer, so I'm staying flexible.  Taking things one day at a time here, and praying that I will just be changing landlords and not addresses.

 I'm also leaning into writing a follow-up to the My Best Friends Have Hairy Legs book.  I've got 12+ years of emotional purging to do, and figure that since the restraining order expires in 2024, it will be good timing.  It will tie in nicely with working my recovery program for domestic violence.

 Whether or not you "spring forward" with the time change this weekend, I hope you have a wonderful and relaxing weekend!

                                        ~ Be blessed ~ 

                                                ~Ci~

dig a little deeper ...

"What do you think about a complete overhaul?"

"Ummm.  Depends on what you mean by 'complete overhaul' and whether or not you are talking about me or the house?  I wouldn't be opposed to some remodeling or redecorating in the house, but remember this summer we will have a ten-year-old child underfoot when your nephew stays with us."

"Yes, I was keeping that in mind and thinking it would be an interesting lesson in archeology."

"How do you mean? Are you talking about completely razing the house?  I was thinking you were just talking about redecorating the kitchen, not digging up the foundation or any major excavation work."

"Do you remember when we were in Ashland, Wisconsin and the city was putting in new waterlines?  They piled their excavated dirt in the lot next door and I noticed one day after heavy rains that there were pieces of salmon-pink broken pottery that were now exposed in the clay?"

"Yes, and you were like a kid in a candy store with a $100 bill.  You tracked in more mud and clay in a month than any of the dogs or I did in two years.  What are you thinking?"

"I'd like to build a small pond and water feature garden in the backyard to make a relaxing space. Kind of like our own secret garden.  If the work doesn't exceed the time he is here, it can maybe lead to some exploration of the soil for buried treasures.  This house was built in the early 1920s, and after the flood in 2016, who knows what might have been washed up and reburied in the yard."

"How deep of a pond are you talking about?  I don't want this to become a huge enterprise that involves a backhoe and thousands of dollars."

"Oh no, I was thinking maybe just two feet deep, by five feet long and three feet wide.  Just enough to keep him busy and interested.  I know that there are a lot of rocks in the soil, we can use those to surround the pond and keep the water pump equipment down.  I'd like it to become part of a backyard escape for us, but also be something that will attract the birds and maybe some other wildlife in the future."

"And how will we entertain him next summer when this project is done?"

"By then the pond will be working efficiently as its own biodiversity area with fish, frogs, tadpoles, and little microorganisms to watch under a microscope.  This summer will be archeology, next summer will be biology!"

Participating in Words on Wednesday here.

Sunday's crocus ...

 

wilderness

 Journal Entry ~ 1 March 2123

It was not my intent to interfere in the situation, but when I saw that the salmon-pink artificial light of dusk was beginning to fade, I had no choice but to speak up.  If we stayed where we were much longer it would be too dark to find our way back to the sleeping hall, and I for one did not want to spend the night in the pitch-black cold of the work hall.

I remember when we first became subterranean.  I must have only been only five years old.  I was distracted on our tour of the facilities and fell behind my parents.  Before I knew it I was all alone and couldn't hear them talking anymore.  I began to hyperventilate in fear that made my head feel woozy, but I remembered what my mom had told me once. If I ever got lost just sit down and they would come to fetch me, so that is what I did.

But no one had told me about the complete and total darkness, or the sounds, and the smell that was with the sound.

I don't know how long I remained there with my eyes squeezed shut and my fingers in my ears to block out the sound.  But I do remember screaming for my mom at the top of my lungs until someone snatched me up on a run and carried me back into the light.

This time, however, I had no intention of ever experiencing that terror again, and my arm practically leaped out of the socket waving to get their attention.

"Look, everyone, unless you have a very strong and fully charged battery candle with you right now, can I make a suggestion that we continue this discussion in the dining hall?  I don't know if any of the old-timers like myself remember what the darkness brings, but if you want an overview you can always visit the Hall of Remembrance tomorrow.  During the day.  When it is light.  Please?"

An officer about my age looked up sharply as if remembering what it had been like when he might have been new to the subterranean.  His face was deeply scarred by what appeared to be claw marks, and I could see the pain in his eyes when he began to yell for everyone to move quickly toward the lighted tunnels and the dining and sleep halls.

Seventy-some years ago when we left the surface because of the pollution, destruction from wars, and solar flares, no one knew that we would be entering a new and uncharted wilderness.  No one knew what awaited us in the darkness.

We still don't know.

Participating in Words for Wednesday here.