Stone House Scribblings

Every spring the maple tree buds fatten long before the snow is done. And the robins return. Mama Robin is again sneaking around the end of the house pretending she doesn't know a thing about the very obvious nest on the top of the stone pillar on the corner of our house. I'm glad to… Continue reading Buds of a Maple

We cleaned out the old, rotting grape trellis and will now have to create a new one. But this is a happy event for me. We got rid of the thicket and perhaps now we can have a real trellis that actually allows the crop to grow within reach. I thought we would only take… Continue reading Home and Garden Keeping

Spring came and now we wait for it to pass into summer because that's really what we are needing. Just like any other spring, there are certain temps we must reach consistently in order for certain development of greenery and growth to happen. Spring truly is happening, but it is a slow, halting process. So… Continue reading Are We There Yet?

I always thought that someday, when I've finally grown up or learned to be focused and organized that each day would lend to a single purpose of getting my real life lived. That most of what happens to my days right now are interruptions to the real deal. That life will be simpler eventually, somehow.… Continue reading Rich and Varied

Yesterday turned from a work/errands type of day into a home day because my car wouldn't start again. I really hope winter wears out before my car does. I love an unexpected home day, after I've gotten through the upheaval of having to pound this inflexible will of mine into line. A last minute change… Continue reading The Table At Home

Our seed order came. Plans for indoor plants starting are in place. Snowbanks this high in March make spring seem far, far away. But people are truly convinced that spring is coming ... we're all talking about it, like it is a thing. Besides we are depending on it. Our lives depend on it. Too… Continue reading The First Signs of Spring

March. The month of deep snows and wind and thaw and mud and break-up, usually. After February's snows, it's becoming a challenge to live joyfully. I don't think I'm complaining when I say that ordinary chores and driving and work require more diligence and vigilance when there's so much snow and always more coming. It's… Continue reading Happy Things For Winter Impatience