A glimpse of the chokecherry that grows at the base of the big maple.
We did a lot of work outside yesterday. I pruned several bushes, pulled some weeds in the garden, and then we mowed the entire front lawn. It was a gorgeous day. Today, we’ll mow the corral area and the back forty as we’re going to have rain tomorrow, Sunday, and Monday. I’m also going to do some weed whacking since I charged the battery yesterday and the whacker is ready to go.
But first, I’m going to run to the grocery store and to the nursery. I’m hoping my hanging plants are in. Fingers crossed. I want to get there early today and avoid the weekend crowds.
I’ve been feeling a lot of emotions concerning loss lately. In talking about it to Don yesterday, I realized that April 24th was the anniversary of my mom’s death, May 1st was the anniversary of John’s murder, May 6th was my brother’s birthday. Sadness, grief, mourning – it never really ends – and in this particular year, it’s been somehow harder to navigate. I’ve also been thinking and talking about my dad, especially since I’m about to start on this new adventure in oil painting. It has evoked so many memories of his work, of watching him work, knowing that for my war-ravaged father, painting in oils brought him some peace. And he was good at it. Very good.
I spoke of his wooden box filled with oil paints and supplies the other day. On a whim – actually, urged on by Don – I texted Mere to see if we threw that box out when we were clearing out the condo. I explained that I’d been thinking about him and that I was about to explore painting. Her immediate response? I have it and I’ll send it to you. After a bit of back-and-forth because I didn’t want to take it if it was precious to her, she firmly said she’d put it in the mail today. My heart grew so full! I’ll soon have it here in the cottage.
Not to make too big a deal of it, but I was so moved, thinking that Dad would be smiling and happy to see me painting. I intend to have the box nearby whenever I paint.
I’m so emotional these days! It’s all good. It’s important to let myself feel all of it. And I am.
Stay safe.
Happy Friday.
oh, good news about your father’s paint box! and of course meredith would share. i am glad for you! plus, you have one of your father’s paintings (flower in a vase … in your living room, right?) and i’m glad you have that, too.
enjoy the painting process. i hope you feel that calm you mentioned as well as free when you paint (and all the time) and just have fun with it.
i have two watercolor paintings by my mother … treasures all, especially my beloved mother.
good luck at the plant nursery and working around the rain. hope you take it easy, too … lots of yardwork, lots of anniversaries, lots of feelings …
i wish you peace.
not to wish time away, but i am glad today is friday. I am always ready for a weekend.
hope you have a good day. stay safe!
kathy in iowa
I have several of his paintings, but yes, the rose in the vase is hanging downstairs.
We did lots of work outside today and yesterday and we’re pooped!
Stay safe, Kathy.
Oh…that is good news about your father’s painting box! I wondered if Meredith might have kept it…so glad she did.
It’s still cool here…no planting, frost to hard freeze tonight…enough! But…there is still plenty of yard work to do.
Hope you are successful at the nursery. Enjoy your day! ;)
We have a couple of cool nights ahead, down to 37 and 39, but we should be okay.
Stay safe, Donna!
Meredith has the box! Happy dance!
I wondered if she might. It seems like a sentimental thing that would be hard to throw away.
Have a good day.
It is. Apparently, it’s partly held together by duck tape, so I might have to do some repair work!
Stay safe, Marilyn.
What a luck that you get your father’s painting box. It may feel like he’s right next to you when you’re painting.
Happy painting
Helga
I hope it will, Helga!
Stay safe.
I’m so happy that the paint box has been found! Yay!!
Yay!
Hope chemo went okay, Shanna. When are you headed up north?
Stay safe.
That is good news about the painting box. How nice that Meredith would share – I read her blog and she is a lovely, giving person!
My daughter is coming for the weekend so I am looking forward to her visit. We will spend time outside – talking and walking!! Can’t wait!
Glad you are getting so much work done outside. I am hoping for more sunny days as I am weeding slowly but surely!
Enjoy painting!
She is. I adore her.
Have fun with your daughter, Ellen! How wonderful!
Stay safe.
You are so, so right about negotiating feelings this last year and a half! I had never thought about it that way. It makes so much sense! Now I will be aware of handling my emotions! Thank you so much.
Let yourself feel them, Tana. You’re entitled to.
Stay safe!
Oh, I am so glad Meredith had the paint box and is sending it off to you. I wondered if she did!! I love the idea of keeping it with you while you paint. Whenever I bake several batches of cookies, I bring out an old tin measuring cup that was my Mom’s and set it on the counter with me. It really is the little things.
I hope your hanging baskets have arrived! We have a frost warning for tonight. The plants will begin the pilgrimage into the garage later today. There are mid 30’s for the next few nights, so I think we will keep them sheltered for those days. Way too much money to lose before they are even in the ground!! Tomorrow morning we pick up our large order from the HS from the FFA annual plant sale, so there are (many) more plants soon to arrive. Our “kids” are doing the usual Amish loop we usually do tomorrow, and we are keeping the little one here with us. I think that makes us the winners!!
Hope you had luck at the nursery! Take care.
I love that story about the tin measuring cup, Chris. Beautiful.
Yes, I got the hanging baskets, but I had to go back for two of them. There was only one left this morning and they were expecting a shipment this afternoon, so I went back. Along with weed whacking, shopping at the grocery store, and mowing and seeding, I’m over it. We’re both tuckered out.
Tomorrow: Day of rest.
Stay safe!
Hi Claudia, I’m so happy to hear that you are thinking of taking up painting. I have all the supplies I need to start painting with watercolors but haven’t started yet.. my son is a painter who uses oils mostly. He has some interesting and informative segments on IG, about painting, paints, brushes etc. he often does these live IG segments and takes questions. We laugh because although he is a pro and always offers to get me started, I am going about my watercolor venture pretty much on my own. I guess I’m afraid he might see my limitations and I kind of want to keep them to myself! 😂🥰. I will send you his info if you are interested. xoxo Ann Marie
I’d love his info! I’m watching some tutorials and I have a book about oil painting, but any help is appreciated.
Thank you, Ann Marie.
Stay safe!
Hi, Francesco Lombardo- Instagram
francescolombardo.com
He has free tutorials on his website and Instagram.
Cant wait to see what you paint.
Ann Marie
Ann Marie, although I’m a writer and not a painter, I’m interested in others’ talents. I took a look at your son’s website. I imagine I’d be keeping my painting to myself, too, at first. Impressive!
Thanks so much, Ann Marie!
xoxo
I’m so pleased for you, that knowing your father’s painting box still existed and that it would be with you soon gave you an explosion of happiness. We all need those moments when we feel like we can’t smile big enough to show how much we are bursting with joy. Happy painting.
Thank you for those lovely words, Wendy.
Stay safe!
Having your dad’s paint box will be like having him right beside you. What a gift! The same thing happened with my FIL’s shoeshine kit. I’d held on to it for years and my son randomly said something to my mom who told me. Shining their shoes for a wedding was a good memory for my son. As for me, there are so many times that I feel my dad’s presence as I work on something he taught me to do. His patience, his forethought, his laughter. We never lose those whose memories we carry with us.
I too am looking forward to a weekend of plants and flowers and sunshine. as well as plenty of sunblock. The trick is not to overdo, isn’t it. Especially when I’d like to spend each moment gardening!
Keep healthy!
It will be like having him right next to me.
Enjoy your weekend, Roxie. We have, I fear, overdone things the last two days but we did get a lot done!
Stay safe.
Well, three cheers to Meredith and I’m so happy the paint box will soon be on its way. Things like that are so special. A story — Rick had a big, two-cup green measuring cup that had been his grandmother’s. One day he dropped it on the tile floor and it shattered. A mutual friend found one similar in an auction box he bought — chipped at the rim but not bad. He gave it to me to give to Rick but Rick said, “you keep it. It’s not the same.” And I thought of you going out and getting a paint box (or more likely, ordering one) and thinking, it wouldn’t be the same. It’s not the “thing,” it’s the association.
This is a hard time of year for me, too, for very similar reasons, so I understand that feeling you are having. Grief never vanishes. Sometimes it goes under, sometimes it rears its head and it is always evolving. It’s a time to be gentle with yourself, to remember the best but sometimes a good cry just feels like the right thing. However you roll, be gentle.
Well done on all your work. I am in a period of partial productivity, partial languishing. Not doing much but relatively content with that. I’m not sure that’s a good thing but there you have it. Have a wonderful, gentle weekend.
I’m being very gentle with myself. You must do the same, Jeanie.
We worked very hard today and yesterday. Tomorrow has been declared a day of rest!
Stay safe.
You’re allowed to be emotional, Claudia. You’re not a shallow woman. And you have a lot to be emotional about. Think alone of what a difficult past 14 months you’ve had.
I think it’s just SO heartwarming that you’ll soon receive your father’s paint box; what a treasure. And that you have the love and loyalty, generosity and friendship of your sister is precious beyond words.
Hope your weather holds out to suit and that you have an absolutely wonderful weekend, you and Don both!
Thank you, Vicki.
Stay safe!
Paint in a well ventilated room with good light. Go for it. Enjoy yourself. Put on some music and old clothes and see what happens. Enjoy the process Claudia.
The only room that has really good light is the kitchen so that’s where I’ll be painting!
Thanks so much, Maria.
Stay safe.
After losing close friends and relatives too many to count this past year, one of my closest friends couldn’t wake up her husband Tuesday…stroke…similar to what happen to son in law’s dad…the last 16 months have been excruciating…prayers
I’m so very sorry, Brenda. Heartbreaking.
Stay safe.
Thrilled about the paint box…so happy for you.
Thank you!
xoxo
April and May have historically been months of loss for me too. And I think this year emotions are running higher than ever because of a bit of relief from the former administration’s tactics and a glimpse of hope with the Covid vaccine. So much stress, personally and globally, and if there’s a bit of a let down in our on-guard stance, other feelings pour in. So glad you have Don, the plants, and the painting!! Be safe–N
I agree. We’ve been pummeled for long by that administration and the virus that we are the walking wounded.
Thanks, Nora.
Stay safe.