In the scheme of things, three weeks is not a long time. You plant seeds and in three weeks you're going to see the tiniest sprout. Three weeks do not give you enough days to write a book or build a house. Maybe just barely enough time to plan a vacation.
But doesn't it feel like the last three weeks have completely transformed our lives?
Most wise people will tell you not to just focus on all that has changed since, say, three weeks ago. Focus, too, on what has stayed the same. If you have kids, this is especially important: remind them that you are still by their side, pushing vegetables at mealtime, and yelling at them to clean up their room. Just like before.
In our lives, I, too, love all that has stayed the same. There is breakfast...
And there are animals to feed and seeds to plant.
Having spotted one flower on April 1st, I'm now searching for the next one. Scilla siberica!
You and I know what is next in line: the lovely, bountiful daffodil. Any moment now! Or, maybe this already counts?
(In a race with the Helleborus!)
As far as grandkids go, well, my visits with Primrose are put on hold, though the reality is that our most frequent communications have always been via FaceTime. And those remain in place! As far as the Madison bunch -- thus far, I've been able to spend time with them every day (with the exception of Saturdays which are 100% farmette work days). This is as it was before. Today, as most Fridays, Snowdrop is with us.
She is a true flower girl: she loves every farmette bloom. Usually I tell her she cannot bring any of them inside. But withe these dainty blue scillas, I can make an exception.
Her big interest this afternoon though, is to make use of the net and ball she brought with her from home. She is dying to play volley ball with Ed! But Snowdrop, is that a volley ball net? No, but it's the only net I have!
A lovely game. Nobody won! Or, perhaps it's more accurate to say that everyone is/was a winner.
There's a bit of rain in the evening. The quintessential April shower. So familiar, no?
And I'm cooking up a soup that I"ve cooked a million times before: veggies with cannellini beans. With grated cheese on top.
Before you fall into a tailspin of all that has changed, it really does help to think about all that you have not lost. Still eating oatmeal for breakfast? Popcorn in the evening? Still posting on a blog daily? Sending texts to your kids, full of advice they probably do not need? Still breaking off a square of chocolate every single evening, because it's just such a perfect way to end an evening meal? Well now, isn't that something to be grateful for!
Grateful: for the sweet things that remain solidly in place. And of course, for all the intense work done by so many in these tough, tough days.
But doesn't it feel like the last three weeks have completely transformed our lives?
Most wise people will tell you not to just focus on all that has changed since, say, three weeks ago. Focus, too, on what has stayed the same. If you have kids, this is especially important: remind them that you are still by their side, pushing vegetables at mealtime, and yelling at them to clean up their room. Just like before.
In our lives, I, too, love all that has stayed the same. There is breakfast...
And there are animals to feed and seeds to plant.
Having spotted one flower on April 1st, I'm now searching for the next one. Scilla siberica!
You and I know what is next in line: the lovely, bountiful daffodil. Any moment now! Or, maybe this already counts?
(In a race with the Helleborus!)
As far as grandkids go, well, my visits with Primrose are put on hold, though the reality is that our most frequent communications have always been via FaceTime. And those remain in place! As far as the Madison bunch -- thus far, I've been able to spend time with them every day (with the exception of Saturdays which are 100% farmette work days). This is as it was before. Today, as most Fridays, Snowdrop is with us.
She is a true flower girl: she loves every farmette bloom. Usually I tell her she cannot bring any of them inside. But withe these dainty blue scillas, I can make an exception.
Her big interest this afternoon though, is to make use of the net and ball she brought with her from home. She is dying to play volley ball with Ed! But Snowdrop, is that a volley ball net? No, but it's the only net I have!
A lovely game. Nobody won! Or, perhaps it's more accurate to say that everyone is/was a winner.
There's a bit of rain in the evening. The quintessential April shower. So familiar, no?
And I'm cooking up a soup that I"ve cooked a million times before: veggies with cannellini beans. With grated cheese on top.
Before you fall into a tailspin of all that has changed, it really does help to think about all that you have not lost. Still eating oatmeal for breakfast? Popcorn in the evening? Still posting on a blog daily? Sending texts to your kids, full of advice they probably do not need? Still breaking off a square of chocolate every single evening, because it's just such a perfect way to end an evening meal? Well now, isn't that something to be grateful for!
Grateful: for the sweet things that remain solidly in place. And of course, for all the intense work done by so many in these tough, tough days.
