And so we come full circle: one year ago, Ed and I called it quits on social life, on store visits, on cafes and restaurants. We locked ourselves up in the farmhouse and waited. When I look back on the post from that last day of (relative) free movement, I see words like "do our bit" and "flatten the curve." I remember thinking this would go on for two months. Then -- until summer. Then -- until fall. Then I stopped predicting and focused on making something of these days of self-imposed lock down.
365 days later, we still want to "do our bit." We are both lucky enough to be ancient and therefore vaccinated, but many of the people we care about are not. So we stick with our same old routines: our social life is played out on Zoom, we skip going to the store, or to cafes, or to restaurants. And of course, I'm still not traveling.
But there is a lot that we are doing and at this time of the year (spring!), our basket of goodies is filling rapidly. I could well have started the post with another significant marker for this day: it's when we'll spring forward with daylight savings time! Ed scoffs at it: what's the difference, he'll say, just to be contrary. But for me and perhaps for you, it's huge, especially after a dark fall and a dark winter (where the word "dark" has too many ominous connotations). Imagine: more light in the evening, more warm light, more sunlight, more outdoor time -- it all bundles together into one package of wonderfulness.
Let me roll back to the day's beginning: breakfast.
And this time, we waste not a minute. Right after, Ed and I head back to the yard, clearing, clipping, pulling, digging. Initially it's a little cool, but the sun is out and we work hard, so I am down to a sweater.
We pause in our work when my daughter arrives with the two kids. Since they, too, are staying home all these days, we thought it would spice up the weekend a little if we brought them all over here, to the farmette, just for a change of scene.
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(checking in with the chicks)
(reading, playing...)
There's plenty of sunshine and the kids are happy to spend some time outside, playing in the "magic meadow." This time, Sparrow joins Snowdrop in making "announcements" from the front steps.
We're told we can choose roles to play. I always choose being an "everythinger." You don't know what that is? According to Snowdrop, it's a person who can choose to do any and everything.
(she is explaining to him the beauty of the Christmas tree forest across the road...)
The young family leaves shortly after lunch and Ed and I return to our outdoor work. My Fitbit is going nuts with excitement. So many steps! So much activity!
And here's a reward: it's always exciting when I spot the first farmette bloom. Predictably, it's by the south facing wall. For real, a little blue one. Alpine Squill.
It gives you hope, doesn't it?
With love...
