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26 April ~2009
Difficulties have a way of turning into something positive, if you remain calm and are resilent. It's pretty common to look back after a long while and see all the good you might have missed without some hard times altering your direction.
When things get tough I see it as an opportunity to slow down, become aware again that life is a gift, and of the beauty in each day.
I got up early Saturday and took my three borders with me to horse rescue. They waited in the dog pen while I put up a metal corral, which took an hour less than I expected. Kyle came over and helped me pound in the metal stakes. We each took one handle of the stake driver, and the ten or so minutes it usually takes me to get a stake sunk was completed in a minute. This was mostly due to his effort - and twenty some-year old arms.
I miss horse rescue if too much time goes by without working a shift. There is something very satisfying about walking the fences looking for loose wire, and stopping by to talk to and stroke pasture horses you have known for several years, who seem to enjoy the company.
After dancing at the Grizzly Rose until 1:30 am (there were three bachelorette parties of wild young women), I slept late. The first thing I did Sunday Morning was go walking on the green belt with the dogs. A little ways down the hill I picked up the scent of wild plum. We walked the river trail, and spotted two mallards with the urgency of spring fever, who were vying for the favor of a female mallard. The redwings were perched on the cattail thrones, calling for the attention of a lady. The chokecherries are leafing out. In a week the blossoms will start to open and will release their unique fragrance, which is different than the wild plum's, although the distinction would be impossible to describe. You just have to know it.
Afterwards I worked in the garden, moving soil to my new section, in preparation for planting spinach, lettuce, and white and red chard. Ben and Mollie ran all over the yard out of pure joy- the nine year old dog in front and the 8 month old puppy trailing behind. I saw Maggie go up and nuzzle and wag her tail to Gizmo, the cat, who was rolling in the soil and enjoying the warmth and release of a spring morning, after the months of winter cold.
On Monday evening I went to a bird class a very old friend from College was putting on. She had a good turnout - 17 people. We have kept in touch on and off all these years, and it was very good to hear her voice again. It reminded me of when she and I used to go on birding and botanizing hikes - 35 years ago. Both of us are getting gray, (me more than her), but our passion and interest in the natural world has only grown since those college years.
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