hello again, friends

 Spring has been so long in coming to our neck of the woods. Finally the lilacs, crabapples and forget me nots have opened into flower. The hills are green, the spring peepers have chorused, the bluebirds and swallows are back. The gardens are planted, the hoop house is a delight and the pots on the deck are filled with blue and white flowers. There's even a wee fig tree nestled in the corner, a bit out of the wind. The cats doze on sunny windowsills, open to the breezes. This morning I made a batch of rhubarb rose infusion, some stewed rhubarb to spoon over plain yogurt with granola and I marinated the last of the beets from the root cellar. The kitchen counters were filled with messy, sticky pans and I welcomed the chance to do my morning meditation with my hands in warm, soapy water.

 The mornings have been chilly as I wander around the yard with my first mug of PG Tips. It's a ritual I had forgotten for a bit. Then I realized I had been winter-bound to the house for so very long. Now I warm my hands around the steaming mug and marvel at the quiet and the peace all around me. I do not take this enchanted life for granted.

 Earlier this week, eight indigo plants went into the raised beds. I talked to them as I planted them. "Hey, little sweeties, please grow strong! I will take good care of you for the next few months. Then we will do some alchemy, you and I. We will work together to create magic. We will soak the blue of the sky into cotton and linen. We will stitch love and hope and courage. Thank you for growing firm roots into this sacred ground."

 My Mumsie visited us here in Vermont last week and then I stayed with her for a bit at her house. When I stopped into gather here on my way back home to Vermont, I found this stunning quilt hanging on the wall. Crafted by staff, the note next to it brought tears to my eyes.

I surely do not need to tell you that these are wild times. Scary times. Some would even say, dark times. That's why we've just got to put our heads down and lean in and do what we can to get us through to the other side. 

Sending you courage, hope and comfort from our "bit of earth", friends.

xo