A Bounty of Abundance

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It’s Saturday and I’ve decided to keep moving taking my cue from the proverb, “an idle mind is the devil’s playground.” I told myself to keep moving and not to let overthinking have its way. All good right? Let’s see how far I make it before my old friend, my mind, takes over and smashes it to pieces!

Morning started early. I got up at 7 a.m. and all was well. Chachi, the cat, was purring softly next to me and the world was just waking up. The birds were chirping and the pigeons were cooing for all they are worth! A little irritating but still a pleasant enough sound. The sun seemed to be peeking out after days of absence and I wondered if a walk in nature might be a good idea but nixed it because I don’t like walking on Saturdays. Too many people out and the constant exchange of pleasantries tend to be draining.

My idea for today is to clean house from top to bottom. It should keep me occupied for most of the day since I haven’t done thorough cleaning in quite a while. The dust bunnies are laughing their heads off but not for long! I’m getting the Dyson vac out and it should do a great job of getting everything nice and clean. Chachi, the cat, sans apron and Swiffer in hand, is more than ready to pitch in and give me some help. However, he thinks it is playtime more than anything else. First thing, strip the bed. Then the pillowcases and Chachi’s blankets. The little helper was more than happy. He ran across the bed as if it was some kind of a raucous game. It took about 20 minutes simply because the little rascal was getting in the way and enjoying himself in the process. I got the wash going and decided to head out to the garden to see what’s happening there. It has been days since I’ve been in the garden and I didn’t expect much except an onslaught of weeds!

The surprise was on me. The apple tree was bogged down with plenty of apples! This one lone apple tree in the garden has a mind of its own. Last year, there were no apples to speak off. This year, it is overflowing and the apples though small are crisp and sweet. They are just turning slightly red so probably a week or so and they should be ready to come off the tree and to be given away to the neighbors. I can’t eat them all. The lone cherry tomato plant has some ripe tomatoes on it. Last year, I planted one tomato plant and got a monster harvest so I went with one cherry tomato plant this year hoping that it will be just enough for salads and stir-fries. Looks like it is working. Next to it, the chili plant is doing well. It has four green chilies and the card on it reads, “Hot Chilies.” Keeping fingers crossed that they are. Rounding the corner, I see that the cherry tree is done for this year. I got three cherries although it had an abundance of flowers this year. Where did the cherries go? Your guess is as good as mine. Perhaps, next year. The fig tree standing next to it is trying to overdo everything else in the garden. It is lusciously green and full of figs! Last year, the figs took a long time getting ripe and I had to discard most of them because the weather had turned and they couldn’t finish their ripening process. This year, it looks like they are going to make it in time and in a week or two, I should have plenty of ripe figs to give away and to enjoy.

It looks like a bounty of abundance and I am grateful. The sky above is beautifully clear heralding a gorgeous day, not too hot and just right. The birds are picking up their singing drowning out the pigeons and the air, well, it is fresh washed clean by the rain and ready to meet another day. Inside, I hear the beeping of the washing machine telling me to put the load in the dryer. It’s going to be a beautiful day and I’m going to try and make it a great one.

Have an amazing day.

The Simple Things (Archives)

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I woke up this morning ready to enjoy the day and to make the simple things count. Doing the mundane things first like having breakfast, my first cup of coffee, getting ready, cleaning up, I decided that it was time to do what I enjoy the most.

It was still pretty early when my furry four-legged friend reminded me that it was time to get up and get the day started. Looking outside, it looked like it was going to be a fantastic spring day. The cherry tree out front was in full bloom and it was a sight to behold. The sun was taking its time showing up this morning but that wasn’t going to deter me. I could feel the call of the wide-open fields as it does every morning so it was on with my walking shoes, a light jacket sans scarf and off I went.

The fields were as they always are, welcoming, serene and beautiful but only now they were wearing their spring outfits and it suited them just fine. The pink and white blossoms were glorious and the green fields simply full of life. Everything was coming alive taking its cue from Mother Nature. As I approached slowly taking in the sights and sounds that is familiar to me, I took the well-worn path and headed towards the apple trees. There was no one in sight and that is exactly how I like it.

The sky was littered with puffy white clouds and up above a slight drone of an airplane could be heard. On one side of the pathway, a duck pair had taken permanent residence or at least for a short while. They quacked in unison as I walked by acknowledging my presence or simply saying hello. A few feet away, two crows were cawing raucously their voices rough and not too pleasant as a silver-streaked hawk sat close-by watching them with glee in its eyes. I looked for the rabbits that I had seen the other day, they had been hopping and jumping and chasing each other but today they were nowhere to be seen. Perhaps it was too cold and they were tucked away deep in their burrows enjoying the warmth in their cozy hideaways.

Further up the path, both sides were green with oilseed rape plants their stalks heavy with bloom and soon the brilliant yellow will appear and when framed against the bright blue skies, an absolutely gorgeous sight indeed. The apple trees are just starting to bud and coming awake from their winter’s sleep and soon the pink and white blossoms will fill the air with their sweet scent for all to enjoy.

Nature has a wonderful way of reminding us that the simple things are still the best things that life has to offer and in so doing it anchors us to where we need to be. Leave it to Mother Nature to teach us that everything has a time and place and combined with patience, it will show itself as it was intended.

It was a great walk and I felt like a million dollars after having indulged in the simplest of things which helped to make my soul soar and that my friends is my start to a wonderful day ahead. I hope!

“The most simple things can bring the most happiness. If the sight of the blue skies fills you with joy, if a blade of grass springing up in the fields has power to move you, if the simple things of nature have a message that you understand, rejoice, for your soul is alive.” Unknown

Have an amazing day.

Springtime Magic!

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“Spring is the time when the world is filled with magic and everything feels possible.” Unknown

I’m down with a cold and it is not a good thing. I hate being sick so staying in bed and watching mindless “Reality TV” is not my thing either and neither is downing hot soup spiked with chili! A small trick my mom taught me as a young girl and mom had magic in her fingertips! She would fix me a hot steaming bowl of chicken noodle soup with loads of chili in it, then she would wrap me in a blanket and leave me to dehydrate! Hours later, I would be up and about feeling much better. I’ve got news for you mom, it’s not working now!

Anyway, I’m taking the less drastic route. Just some tea, lots of fruit and giving my system lots of time to recuperate. Is it working? Let’s wait and see. Coming back to the topic at hand, it is spring and it is blooming flowers! The sun is shining and I’m sitting out back with a cup of coffee and taking it all in. It is a time when “the earth laughs in flowers.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

I don’t have a huge garden, it is big enough to grow stuff in and small enough to keep things in order. I can see it needs work. Winter has left its mark and the dried leaves and twigs need to be swept up and room needs to be made for the “new” to creep in. The tulips are in bloom and their beautiful colorful heads are swaying in the light breeze. The medium-sized tree is full of wonderful white blossoms but for the life of me, I can’t recall what it is called. I know that if you sit out back when early evening rolls around, the scent is mesmerizing. The huge Magnolia tree is in full bloom and its pink and white flowers are a sight to behold. The lone apple tree is greening and there are lots of pink and white buds on it. Perhaps, a bumper crop this year? Don’t hold your breath! This particular tree has a mind of its own. Last year, it teased with lots of flowers but the output was next to nothing. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that it will do better this year. However, the thing that blew my mind this morning is the cherry tree. I’ve been keeping it trimmed so that it doesn’t get too out of control but it is taking it in stride. The tree is covered in white blossoms! More cherries than last year? Last year, I got two. They were firm and sweet but I’m hoping for more this year.

There is definitely magic in the air. The sky is a glorious blue, the sun is warming and the “flowering” tells me all things are possible where nature is concerned. What about from the human side? Unfortunately, that needs a little more work but “magic” is contagious so I’m hoping it is catching! Time for another cup of tea before I crawl back into bed!

“Your mind is a garden, your thoughts are the seeds, you can grow flowers……or weeds.” Unknown

Have an amazing day.