Here’s my vision board in my planner for April. There’s so much coming at us these days, it’s a good idea to discern our own priorities. It’s time to revisit our own strengths and nurture them, and indeed, share them where we can. I’m working on both the health of my physical heart and expanding my spiritual heart for the work ahead.
Paring down to the essentials feels good. Spring cleaning…with boxes staged to go to the thrift store, library sale, crafting resale shop and old eyeglass donations.
Revisiting old projects and getting them done.
Started in 2018, finished in 2025. :-) I’ll be hand delivering this to one of my favorite heart mates in a few weeks.
As I was trying to motivate and get back up to speed with my 100days of stitching project, I decided to make a page inspired by each of our four kids. I dug into the archives and found this swatch of fabric that Gretta block printed and beaded ages ago. I appliquéd it onto a page and did a bit of running stitch around the edges.
The next page was sewn with scraps from Stewart’s college quilt, 25 years ago! How can that be? Our first to leave the nest, I remember feeling so sentimental while I sewed his quilt. Used a bit of gold thread here too. Hannah’s and Lindsey’s pages are next in the queue.
This page is an homage to all things fluttery up here on the ridge. Pennants, prayer flags, clothes on the line. The answer is blowin’ in the wind. Let’s get out there and listen!
What melts a heart better than baby goats? I’m not really sure. These twin speckled girl babies (Faith and Grace) were safely delivered by Audrey a few weeks ago. We are so lucky to be right down the road from these kids.
BUT THEN…We were guessing Beatrix was carrying triplets, but she stunned all of us when she delivered FOUR BABIES in 15 minutes! The littlest one is tiny, but he is standing and nursing well at this point. Two more mamas are due later this month…So lovely to have things to look forward to.
The hoop house has been tidied up and Batman has planted some early greens in there. The red winged blackbirds have returned to the neighborhood, and we are keeping our eyes open for our favorite bluebirds. The crocus are blooming and the wild turkeys are strutting their stuff. There has been snow on the ground or in the air nearly every day up here, but the daylight meanders longer into the early evening hours and the sap keeps running. The dirt roads continue their cycles of mud, slush and frost heaves, but I’ve waved to the grader a few times and know this too shall pass.
Batman gifted me with a pussy willow tree years ago. Do you know the work of Swedish artist Elsa Beskow? I think of her portrait of a sweet catkin fairy whenever I go out to check on the buds. Hope. Right there in my hand.
Our extended family has really been challenged these past few months. Two visits to the ER, one complete with 8 sutures in the hand (watch that sourdough lame!) one trip to urgent care (be careful while climbing on cargo nets at the playground!), two surgeries, one office procedure and one upcoming, scheduled surgery. At one point Batman made a run out to Detroit to offer grandparent support. (He is, after all, a super hero!) It seems that everyone is doing OK these days, and we are grateful for that.
Batman and I have our hands full of volunteer opportunities/responsibilities as we continue to witness the unraveling of the world. But we also have a safe roof over our heads, relatively good health, love in our family and with our friends…so we will continue to tend our hearts and roll up our sleeves.
Many of us wrote postcards to the White House on the Ides of March, sharing our exasperation with a certain person. One of our book club members suggested that we write thank you notes to leaders who are being courageous and speaking up. I’ve added Sen. Cory Booker to my list. I wonder if any of you are heading out to one of the many marches scheduled for today.
Please take care of yourselves, dearest readers. We are no good to anyone if we are burned out, cynical or feel helpless.
Tend your hearts. Roll up your sleeves. Know that I keep thoughts of you bathed in the light of hope.
oxox