sun salutations

It's wickedly beautiful outside again! A constant reminder of how splendid early spring can be! I don't think anyone cares that it's still just a handful of degrees above freezing. Sunshine dazzles. The spirits lift, the step grows more bouncy.

We've had a string of such days. Two takeaways from good weather: it's a prod to get you moving more (not by car, on your feet!) and it's a reminder to take dreary days in stride. They do not have a hold on your life. Eventually, the sunshine will pull you out of yourself once again.

Breakfast, ready and lovely.






An appointment follows, but after that Ed and I have a window and this time we don't dally: to the county park!






The walk is grand and not too slippery.






Hey, would you believe it? Even as the ice fishers still throw down their lines...






... someone else is taking advantage of the thawing ice!






Neither activity looks appealing to me! And as if to demonstrate the uncertainties with walking on ice, I step on a patch, out there in the park meadows, it shatters in its thinness, I fall and end up completely wet. Icy wet. This kind of mishap is way more funny on sunny days!


The kids are equally spirited today. Snowdrop still chooses indoor play (were he given a vote, I'm sure Sparrow would pick the option of "whatever my sister wants!"), but there is always a pause outside now, to take stock, to appreciate the disappearing snow cover, to salute the sun.











For a few minutes anyway. The great bulk of our time is in the farmhouse.





Ed plays volley ball tonight and so I forgo the movie watching in favor of a quiet evening. Time to think a little about grandparenting, about parenting, about the children in our lives. I track with great attention the growth of three right now and give as much care as I can to all of them. So you could say that I've tended to five kids in my life. Does that make me almost an expert?

Your approach to family life changes as you get older. On the one hand you are more limited of course (you are not in charge of their lives, and besides, your physical stamina diminishes somewhat), on the other hand time gives you a better understanding of where you need to tread carefully and where you can relax. On balance, are grandparents less anxious about their grandkids? I think so. There is a broadening of our perspective. And the realization that few people have tried and true answers and so why not lose the angst? Why not accept one's uncertainties and vulnerabilities and enjoy the flawed but wonderful run through life?

Spring. It came early this year. And I am so glad!