For months, day after day, it has been nothing but blue skies and sunshine. Just crazypants glory.
For MONTHS. Each day, I would wake up almost stunned, really? Again– is this even possible?
Can I handle such happiness? Or do I tense up against the easy beauty trying to be ready for it to change?
By doing so, limit how fully I can sink into the amazing boon of these magic days; my problem-seeking mind running to some future day when it will all be gone and making plans to cope with that.
I’m not saying you ever do anything like that . . . and I like to think I no longer live anywhere but in the present moment, but as we are all human, the question does come up.
Are you really here? In THIS moment? Or are you running ahead to something later in the day, or dragging behind to something that happened an hour ago, or yesterday or last year.
In this moment here as I type to you, the leaves are crunchy and the skies are gray.
I have just poured a second cup of fresh coffee and topped it with a dollop of foamy almond milk and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
The dogs read this as a sign we will soon be heading out for a walk so they begin making the occasional whine – not unlike the dying battery in a smoke detector – to make sure I see how patiently they have been waiting for me and how little time is left in my hourglass.
What they don’t know is that I can’t leave til the carpenter shows up to put in a handrail on my front porch.
He’s supposed to be here at 8am but in the land of carpenters, that could mean 8:30 am – 12 noon – or another day entirely.
Such is the clock on Planet Carpenter.
The truth is, I have been super lucky and SUPER blessed in so many ways over this past year as I made changes and improvements to this house. (This house I bought a year ago this month! Boo-Yah! Happy anniversary to me and my new digs.) And yet, I have been cursed with things that I swear require a licensed exorcist.
Door knobs. Dear god. How can a good functioning door knob that is installed correctly be such the holy grail? I have no answer. And, I also failed mightily on the exterior paint. It’s not that I didn’t try– it’s just one time I really could have used some consultation. Paint is hard. *sigh*
But you know what is not hard? Having a house painted that isn’t perfect. Having doorknobs that wiggle and jiggle. Having carpenters show up late and dogs anxious to go for a walk.
These are not problems on any level.
And in this moment, I’m drinking my coffee, gazing out at the morning sky which is the color of old cement and looks about as heavy.
Then, a flash of birds cut through – black wings – gone as quickly as they came and the sky looks softer in their wake, a fluffy blanket of mist.
Down at my feet, there is a sigh. I hear a knock at the door. The carpenter is here. This is how my day begins.
bisous, elizabeth
Hi dear Elizabeth, crunchy leaves, such fun to kick. Yes to practicing being in the moment as much as possible. I think when you're walking in nature you can't be anything but. Every little detail can awaken your very soul to being present.
My new 86 year old friends take life one day at a time and are grateful for what they get to experience every day, which really heightens the feeling of living in the moment for me.
I made sweet potato soup today, which turned out nothing like yours. Would you mind sharing your fab recipe if it's not an old family one, in which case I know they can be guarded to secrecy! Happy Tuesday x
Oh and the light in the second photo is very magical x
XOXOXOX
oh HAPPY to share– I will put it into tomorrow's post!!
🙂 Living in the moment, so my mantra!!! Yesterday morning, as the kids were munching away like crazy on their pancakes, I sat and watched the smoke rise from my fresh coffee … the sun began to peep from behind the mountains, the kitchen was bathing in the morning light, and I was mesmerized by the smoke rising 🙂
Hi Elizabeth, I have waited 10 days to comment on your posts – each day thinking that I would comment – wanting to think of something profound to say because you speak from such a special place. But, nothing profound, just a thank you for your words and your beautiful photographs.
ah, beautiful and now I got to share in it, too– love! thank you!!
oh Debbie, this means the world to me– you need to know I have no idea you are there or connecting with me and so reading your words just makes me feel SO good. So glad we can connect in this way. Sending you BIGGEST hugs, e
Oh my gosh Elizabeth I see you burn the late night oils as well. I would love to connect outside of your blog. I feel I could learn so much from you as I travel on the road to me.
Elizabeth, I am so glad you are posting again! Your words are magical and an impetus to deep reflection. The day is gray here buy my home is overflowing with warmth and good cheer. xx
email me– let's see what's possible 🙂
yes- finding the warmth in the midst of the chill– LOVE that you do this, too 🙂
I love your words so much (especially the final two paragraphs)…thank you from the bottom of my heart for blogging again. XOXO