Another day, Another ........................

Having surgery tomorrow on my right wrist, so I know I won't be posting for a couple weeks. Running around trying to catch up as much as possible so I can relax and heal afterwards.

A friend uses a site called Wordle (www.wordle.com) It's fun! Type in poems, random words, groups of something or whatever, and the site will turn it into a word sculpture. Great way to spend some free time playing. I made one of my grandkids' names

Got the veggies planted this morning, 6 each of tomatoes, green and jalapeno peppers, broccoli and 2 bush cucumbers. Now just have to keep them alive until the harvest. Amazing to me, though, how much just planting took out of me. Just 5 years ago when we first planted a garden here, I did it all by my self, except the rototilling. This year my daughter dug the holes and all I had to do was plop the seedlings in and push the dirt around them. By the time we were done, I could barely walk back into the house. I sure hate not being able to do everything I used to.

Slogging through my day to day existence, seeing bursts of bright color among the dull, dishwater gray of daily life. I was able to get together with a close group of friends yesterday. I look forward to these gatherings so much. One place to truly be myself, knowing I am unconditionally loved and accepted. There is something so uplifting in walking into a room and seeing people smile because they are glad to see you.

At home, I am Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Chief cook and clothes washer. I feel like the titles became who I am. Somedays I feel so much a part of the household structure, I feel like I should change slipcovers, not clothing. So little appreciation or affection expressed. Makes me want to stop and look at my own behavior. Am I expressing my love and appreciation of my family? Do I offer compliments and praise for the completion of expectations, spoken or unspoken? I think maybe I need to watch my own behavior, make sure I am really treating others the way I would like to be treated.

Beltane! I love this time of year. Everything's fresh, growing, bursting free! After the long, long winter here in Central NY, I love the color, birds, freedom to go outside.

Seems like new things are budding in my life, too. I find myself throwing off the caretaker role I've worn for so long. Like most mothers, wives, grandmothers, I've neglected my needs, wants, and goals. I've been raising kids, in one form or another, since my youngest brother was born when I was 4. 45 year of being responsible. No wonder I feel the urge to throw off the chains. I feel like a houseplant that has been rootbound for years, and it's time to be planted outside, give my roots room to grow, delve deep, find nourishment, and bloom.

My goals for this week are to get my flower garden weeded and seeded, and get my veggie garden plotted and start buying the plants. Here's to the Sun!