night bloomer

After supper last night we went down to Laura and Nora's place to wander their lovely gardens. They had been keeping a careful eye on their night blooming cerus all week and alerted us that it was ready to bloom. 

Laura and Nora have become the best sort of friends and in the midst of the pandemic, they have become more trusted and dear than ever. They are some of the very few people we visit with, being careful to maintain recommended distance when we gather. Here in Vermont our COVID numbers are some of the best in our nation and despite temptation to do otherwise, we are paying strict attention to protocol. We are being mindful of our "COVID exposure budget" as our VT Commissioner of Health calls it. 

We admired the budding flower when we arrived, then Laura and Nora treated us to grilled peaches topped with chèvre made with milk from their goats. We peeked at the bloom a bit later and it was beginning to open. We sat for a while in the side yard, listening to the chickens settle down for the evening, we watched the sunset and heard the bells as the goats milled in their pen. Their two pups ran in and out of the woods, searching for fun. They both have light markings, so we could see them passing through the darkening foliage like ghosts.

Just before we got ready to head for home, the flower had opened fully and we shone a bit of light on it for photos. Such a magical bloom!

Once back at our place, we stood out on our lawn and watched the clouds trace past the nearly full moon. Yes, there are so very many things we are missing, to list them here would make me sob. But we are in a precious place, with so much in our lives to be grateful for, and all of that has anchored us to hope and patience.

May you, fine friends out there, find hope and patience wherever you are. I remain grateful for your friendship here, both in comments and emails. Friendship is too dear to take for granted, especially these days. xo