Sunday, May 13, 2012

mothers and others


 
Well I hope you had a happy Mother’s Day – if you’re not a mother, then you are at least the kid of one and whether you are able to stay in touch, or wish you could, or didn’t give it that much thought – I still hope that there are some calm and joyous recollections that you have of that unique relationship between kid and mom.
 

You would think that I would be celebrating with my daughters today. Not so. We postponed it for later this week, for reasons that are completely inconsequential. In the meantime, I say to Ed – wish me a happy mother’s day! – and he does, with a notable absence of enthusiasm that is deliberate and childish and sometimes adorable.


Andy, our construction guy, the man who helped us rebuild the farmhouse last year, stopped by. We have a small project that we want to discuss with him. It’s like old times – Ed fires off construction questions and ideas, Andy, shakes his head – and still it all moves forward.  


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Moving forward. In the garden too. One plant at a time.

We hunt for strawberries, buried under weeds – tall plants straining for light, without much hope, salvaged at the last moment, placed in the quirky bed of veggies and now fruits.



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Flowers. They’re each taking their turn now!



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They’re always framing the farmhouse for me. The entrance along the brick walkway is defined by what grows at the sides.


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The entire house, even the still-light-beige-brown-whatever-off-color dormer, stands in a thicket of growing things.


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It's always this way: I look up, see the farmhouse in a bed of greens and emergent blooms. I rush inside to grab the camera, not really caring that I’ve already taken this photo. Many times. And yet, I need another.

There are subtle changes! Flowers change. What I cut for the table changes too. Daffodils done, lilies of the valley – out. Lilac – I’m back with lilac, a late blooming variety.


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And so, to that sweet smell of middle spring! And to you, moms of kids and kids of moms!


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5 comments:

  1. happy mom's day to you too - today and the belated celebration - I never tire of your photos of the farmhouse framed by the flowers and green - you have created so much pleasure in that spot!

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  2. Nina - Today your kind-heartedness and pleasure in life is very welcome. Thank you.

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  3. Happy mother's day, Professor! Just wanted you to know that I still read your blog to this day. Your pictures, connection to the earth and love of all things lovely allow me to live this type of life vicariously through you even though I don't have access to land, time to cultivate it or knowledge of how to do it.

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  4. Your gardens are just lovely!

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  5. Grr, typed out a comment and this blogger thing rejected me. See if this goes through. Why can't all comments sections be equal?

    Happy Mom's Day, Nina. Your garden, as ever, is intoxicating.

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