It was warm enough to pull off the hat and gloves, unclip the shawl, and ultimately remove the scarf. The chill air felt lovely on my ears.
I felt more gratitude when I bent to scoop up Finn’s business and the flopping shawl end did not land on the turds.
I’ve mentioned here that most houses on my loop show no evidence of life. There are some exceptions, like the Music House on Langley. Nearly every day, lush chords of classical music seep out from under the windowsills. Today it was piano. Dramatic. Lively.
At the Amazon House there are always signs of life, not just a regular stream of packages but a couple of strollers parked in varying configurations. Today for the first time I saw one of the children. A boy of about eight leapt across the floor behind the glass door delivering to me a flash of exuberant grace.
Finn did not bark at the brindle boxer across the street near the Terraces. The boxer was silent too. But that’s not what’s worth reporting. It’s that when I looked up from the canine interaction, there were the boxer’s two people wearing big gracious smiles. How nice!
It reminded me of the day I chortled out a big dog-hello to a little pup across the street while his person put something in the post. It was that “aren’t you adorable” voice. Imagine my surprise when his person chimed a big hello back. There’s a lesson in there but probably one this introvert is not inclined to learn.
This is all to say that spring is in the air. And because spring is in the air, my mind goes to yard crews. Already I feel dread.
But guess what? I’m creating a quiet corner in the basement in preparation of leaf blower season. I’m done appealing to homeowners, crews, and the city. Done! It’s going to be a lot of work, but it’s such a good way to take care of myself. The basement is the only space in the house (even with noise-cancelling headphones on) where I am sheltered from the sound.
Don’t laugh or feel pity. It’s at a start.
I have a dog-walking neighbor who is always pleasant to engage with as is his little dog. We trade gossip. Makes me want to move my adirondack chairs and firepit closer to the street.
Funny you say that. We have a real fire pit and a gas one and I have proposed we put the gas one and two Adirondack chairs out front. Lots of neighbors go by.
Your collage lady is wrapping herself in spring, anticipating all that will “grow” from this new season: her head wrapped in the green of promise. Layering herself in thought, in process…cocooning herself in basement protection…
The re-sorting is unearthing all kinds of projects in various states of finish, which has me excited. So I guess I’m unearthing my desire to get back at it too!
I’m happy you’ll have a space to go for peace and quiet .. your shelves of fabric look fabulous. Weakening hands Is a frustration I can relate to although with my intentional tremors forcing me to graduate from a tea spoon to a tablespoon .. from a full cup of tea to a half cup is my biggest complaint these day. I joke with my very conservative brother in law who also has tremors that I never ever never thought we would ever have anything in common .. never say never hahaha.
Tremors from what? My hands are weak with arthritis. Also I’m very cautious about thumb injury since I’ve had a couple and then I’m screwed. Can’t hold a knife, sew, or type comfortably for weeks.
https://www.osmosis.org/answers/intention-tremor
My tremors are not from MS or Parkinson’s Thank Goodness. Not ever sure what causes the type of intentional tremors but my dad had it bad in his later years so I’m thinking it’s hereditary. It really is frustrating as you know when your hands are not at 100% but with all the craziness our bodies could battle .. I am not complaining.
I’d never heard or intention tremors or essential tremors. Now I know. I’m very glad to hear that it’s not MS or Parkinson’s.
Thanks for taking us along on this walk, with all of the music and child leaping – it held the joy of Spring indeed! Your Spring Woman looks ready for the season…and your Protection Space will be too! J and I were just talking about two big dictionaries that didn’t make the move and how they were old (one his & one my mom’s) and probably obsolete. Your colorful cloth and a sweet lil tin bucket are sure inspiring and all of those magazines!!! I think I only have a few left at this point. I think of Grace when I see Nat Geo 😃 Lastly, as far as hands…I too have arthritis in my hands and it seems to be becoming more of a problem. One I’m not too fond of. Oh well, they still function well enough. Be well and give Finney a scratch behind the ears for me.
I have at least two more dictionaries somewhere. They do take up a lot of space. I just use them for collage but it would take several lifetimes to get through even the first half of the alphabet.
I have never had strong jar opening hands. I learned to tap the lids gently on the edge of a counter- seemed to remove some of the suction and jars open easier. Wearing rubber gloves can give you a bit more traction. Pretty soon all things jarred will be in those sterile cartons or plastic tubs.
I miss the walks I had with Riley for 13 years. He was very friendly and liked to meet new people and new dogs. I hardly ever spoke to the owners (Mainers are solitary folk) but did speak to their dogs and the owners seemed to like that.
I sometimes have success using a can opener to release the pressure on a jar being opened for the first time. Doesn’t tend to work after that. Those cans with tabs? Supposed to make life easier? My finger gets stuck in it so even with those I have to ask for help.
That was a very enjoyable walk with you inside your sensing-brain 🙂 It really seems like spring today here, too (NJ). That billowy white cloth says it all. Like a skateboard says spring to a teenager?
I hope your ears will be protected this year, but what about natural light? My “studio” is in our basement as well. Yours looks very cozy and very organized.
Two friends of mine have recently bought electric leaf blowers and love them. I thought I knew them better than I apparently do. Can I find it in my heart to forgive them for buying any sort of blower? No matter how they are powered, I place leaf blowers in the same category as snowmobiles and jet-skis. I detest them. Yet, I get it. They are really fun…
What a delightful walkthrough organizing…an always present necessity in my small studio and home. Miss collage lady is most certainly attired for those wonderful spring breezes that are awaited for by all who now strive to find warmth in these days of wind, ice and snow.
Sitting outside with marshmallows and sticks waiting for the parade! I love it.
I’m pretty sure I wrote this somewhere … here? … about the new development going in nearby with the monster earth movers that seem to be in perpetual reverse … the beeping goes right through me, even when I take out my hearing aids … all day, every day … it’s awful … and the lawnmowers and leaf blowers have already started up (not surprising the grass is growing as temps are in the 90s this week)
all that by way of saying I envy your basement refuge (although I too wondered about natural light) … basements are a rarity in our neck of the woods … I do think sitting out front is a good idea though … gonna think about that