A Simple Explanation of the Meaning of Life

 John Updike put it, “the mystery of being is a permanent mystery.”

Evelyn RuthTrilling Milhender, young and gorgeous.

It is my mother's anniversary of her passing. Three years since she blessed the earth with her wisdom, humor, and kindness.  

 Beautiful people come into our existence and leave our existence. Why are they here today and gone tomorrow? Why is their hatred in the universe? Why is there war? Why can we not all get along?

No simple answers. 

I feel honored to have a wonderful, loving mother. I wish I could tell her how much I miss her. Oh, for just a quick mom hug...it would be luscious. 

It is spring and it is time to make plans for the coming year.

If you look between the two yellow dandelions, you will see the proud Mama Killdeer on her nest.

The cat and the wild turkeys woke me up about 5:15am. I fed the cat and cursed at the big fat gobbler.

Last weekend was mother's day.  It is a very hard day for me since I lost my mother, Ms. Evelyn Ruth.  Next year, instead of being sad, I will plan a celebration for Evelyn's spirit, strong will, and great sense of humor.

We are almost done with the garden cleanup.  Every thing in the gardens right now are pink. How can any one be unhappy with such splendor around the house?

This time of year is when I renew my plans and make changes with my so called life. I always thought it is silly to have a New Years's resolution. I do make them, one year I vowed to avoid toxic  people, another year I planned to "Make it So!" So, once the trees have fresh, new,  light  green leaves on their branches,  I think about the coming year.

Today, I will plant my parsley seeds, and dig in my gladiola bulbs. Next week, I will go to the HerbFarmacy  and buy some basil, dill, tarragon, rosemary and scented geraniums for my herb garden.

A very silly Aunti B enjoying a green house full of wonderful herbs.

This Spring, I finally started to address the changes in my arthritic body. I donated all my beekeeping equipment to Essex County Greenbelt Association. I had splints made for my hands to protect my little fingers while I garden and I decided to host my bird watching team to lunch for our annual bird-a-thon a fund raiser for Mass Audubon's Joppa Flats. I will not pretend that a 24 hour bird watching weekend does not hurt. Instead, I will be a great hostess with the mostest, by serving delicious sandwiches, pink lemonade, and New England Old Fashioned whoopee pies for desert.

We are who we are, sometime, it just takes us a long time to realize that we are no long 20 years old. Ok, I admit that I am now a mature woman;  but a woman who wears neon bright pink sneakers.
A gal still has to have some glitz in her life.

Happy spring to everyone one. May this season bring joy, health and happiness to one and all.

Take all of your life and embrace it; both good and bad.

May has always been my favorite month of the year. New leaves, flowers and warm sun on my face.
Life just does not get any better than the Month of May.

    Both my parents died during the month of May.  Dad passed on May 8, 2008 and Mom departed on May 28, 2013. I miss them very much, and they are in my thoughts every day.  I do not like be an "orphan".  Granted, I was lucky to have my parents for 90% of my life so far. Ed and Evelyn loved each  other from the first day they met in Magnolia, Massachusetts so many years ago. Each May, when I hear my first trill of our house wren, my thoughts go to this loving couple who were my parents. 

     

   

Ed, Barbara, and Evelyn enjoying Portsmouth, NH years ago.

In May, the wood warblers migrate through our area on their way to their nesting sites. These pint size birds are without doubt the prettiest birds that you will ever want to see. They hide behind leaves, chasing after tasty bugs. They have wonderful bird calls, that inspire a novice birder to purchase the newest Sibley's bird guide and Stoke's CD of bird calls. They are the some of the hardest birds to find and watch; but, it is pure joy when you do see & hear them in your neighborhood. 

In May, our gardens explode in pinks, whites and yellows.   

This month reminds me that life has its ups and downs. It also reminds me that one must embrace the good and the bad of one's life; the joys and the sorrows. That is what life is all about.

Some days it rains, and other days the sky is deep blue. Embrace it all.

A Princess is born and A King is dying...

I woke up to the news that a unnamed Princess was born in the UK today. What sweet news. The monarchy is such an old fashioned idea. But in this modern fast world, it is so sweet to hear a little old fashioned news. A tiny new baby who is all pink, cuddly, and so sweet;  was born into a world of hate, prejudice, and insanity today.  In my mind set; the new princess is a small miracle. She is something to remind us of the good in the world.  Small miracles happen around us all the time. We need to take the time each day to slow down our thoughts.; so we may be present in mind and thoughts to a  miracle or two each day.

The other morning news was not so good. B.B. King has gone into hospice care. I admire his strong spirit that he has always shown us and  up to the end. Hospice care is such a loving, kind way to depart this world. B.B. King's music, his voice, and his guitar Lucille have been an inspiration to my soul.  How can you be sad, when you can listen or sing the blues. The blues can cure a broken heart, lead your life into a new direction or even help you  dream of better days.

I salute The King of music and hope his next journey is smooth as his guitar playing.

Thoughts of the blues and small wonders.

Meditations of Spring Garden Cleanup

This morning my cat woke me around 6:15am.  Becky, the cat got her breakfast early. I went out on the deck to soak in the sounds of a spring dawn.

Our neighbor has  a medium sized vernal pond by the road . Nothing says springs like spring peepers. These tree frogs are the ultimate singers. They come on strong in the spring while they are mating and as the disappear when the vernal pond slowly dries up to nothing as summer approaches.
Along with the frogs, I heard a cheerful am chorus of our local bird varieties. The chickadees, gold finches, and cardinals sing their sweet mating songs.

We still have a wee bit of snow, but, who cares. It is officially spring in my mind.

Spring cleanup in the gardens begins now. Weeding, removing leaves, branches and twig is a mindless task. But every spring as I put on my gloves, roll out my garden card filled with my tools, I am joyful and put into a meditative state.

Each leaf, each garden beds is like an old friend. First I do the herb garden slowly with gloves. The chives have been waiting patiently for me to uncover them. I have three types of chives. I have the common standard type, curly chives and my favorite garlic chives. Each has different colored blooms. Garlic chives have a small intense white bloom. Honey bees love their blooms and so  do I.

After cleaning up the major leaf cover, I remove my gloves and gently caress my perennial herbs. I remove any weeds, small leaf covers, and moss. My raised herb garden was a birthday a gift from my hubby. Best gift ever.

I am grateful for the tree frogs, birds, herbs, and mother nature. Nothing puts a smile on this girls face like springtime meditations in the gardens.

My herb garden in late summer.

Many Happy Returns day lilies next to my herb garden.

Spring Is In The Air...

Finally, spring is coming after such a long winter. Our hummingbird feeder is up just in case we get some early migrating hummers.

Early this month, we took a long driving trip to Philadelphia, New Castle, DE, and DC. were we visited friends, family, and flowers.

The highlights of the trip was walking through the fabulous greenhouses of Longwood Gardens, and having a private tour of the orchard collection greenhouse in Hillwood Estate Museum and Gardens and driving around DC searching for the best cherry trees in full bloom.

 We were disappointed that a power surge in DC caused the Indian Museum to evacuate their buildings and grounds. We also tried to see the 150 anniversary of Lincoln's Assassination  display of artifacts from that fateful day. All tickets had been sold out for a long time. We did see the items on the Sunday Morning TV show. Abe's hat, Booth's pistol, and the contents of Abe's pockets. Wish we saw it in person, but, living in bed and viewing the display was kind of cozy.

Another highlight was sitting on my sister's bed and opening a treasure trove of my dad's collection of tie tacks, cufflinks, and some of my moms's silly jewelry.  Dad's collection was in his old leather initialed case. It smelt of old leather, after shave and mostly of Dad. Nice memory.

So today, after my coffee in bed, I did stretching exercises with Paul Simmon, groomed the cat, and silently watched the trees starting to bloom out. Our phoebes have returned and are updating their nest from last year.  Home is heaven.

Driving with Captain Judy (who is one hot mama) around DC looking for ultimate Pink Cherry Trees.

Pretty in pink Orchard  @ Hillwood Estate

Luscious Hibiscus @ Longhill Gardens.

Gorgeous orchard at Hillwood Estate Museum & Garden.

ELM my dad and some of his male jewelry. 

You've Got Bad Case of Love-Your Heart is Going Through Misery

My Heart is filled with Misery. Ah, yes, Mr. King sing it out. When you miss someone or somebody, it hurts. It does not matter if it is a breakup or a lose of a love one, it still hurts. Some days it does not hurt, and other days start with a deep hurt. Gone, gone, gone.
I try to be shrug off this feeling. It just gets worse if you hold it in. Pop that ballon filled with hurts and pains. Let it go. Bur, it is not ready to go. I am not ready to let it go. I just want to hold onto the memories just a little bit longer.
So thank you Mr. King and company. There is no one else in the world wide that I would rather be with tonight.

Picture of my Japanese Case with its wooden comb, mirror and Kleenex case - a gift from a wonderful lady.

It was fun when it was fun! What's done is done! I'll survive.