but who's counting

Arthritis: 1

Me:  also 1 

(because I dropped it just before I poured the boiling water in)


I bought this wonderful mug from a talented, self-described "student" potter in 2011, and have never seen another like it: a graceful, stable globe, beautifully glazed in a soft sage deepening to forest green, and with a more comfortable handle than most. The color, stability and handle remain...I'll try using this piece as a candlestick.

~~~~~

taking care

As winter creeps along,

and everyone I know is struggling,

it seems more and more obvious that many things are

Including myself.

I've been making an effort to eat well this winter.

Homemade soup. Fresh greens. Very little sugar.

A few days ago I ordered something special.

My lovely postal carrier brought it yesterday.

You may know that surprise packages are one of my favorite things,

but even when it's not a surprise, opening a package is fun.

(I live a very quiet life these days.)

The moment I cut through the tape,

all my senses perked right up.

Because this:

 Organic Meyer lemons

from Lemon Ladies Orchard in California.

With a nice bonus treat: fresh bay leaves.

I've never met Karen Morss, the Orchardess, but I bet I'd like her.

In about an hour I'll be back outside, wrestling a bale of hay onto a sled

and pushing it foot by foot through the heavy wet snow to the barns.

And wobbling to and fro with jugs of water for the big de-icer bucket.

And fighting to get gates open,

then fighting to get them closed again.

And again, and again.

But right now, I'm enjoying the juxtaposition

of sunshine, snow, and fresh lemonade.

Cheers, dear readers.

~~~~~