Author: Arla

Truly springtime weather, when the sun shines brilliantly through the leafless trees, the kids come in at supper with sunburned cheeks, and the first fragile little flowers show up through the dead leaves on the forest floor, is the first day of spring. It's the day I open the kitchen door to the porch to… Continue reading Spring Arrived Yesterday

So far it's been a cold, snowy spring. And that's okay, really, except that the baby flower plants are going to be pretty leggy before we can plant them out. I love baby plants. This year they seem to love me, too, and are doing well. We came into Easter season around here with a… Continue reading Easter 2022

I've read all the signs on the walls. Last night I disregarded the one that says I may not take any photos or recordings in this unit. And so I have this one. You can't see, but Elv is in the bed above, hooked up to IVs and a heart monitor. It's five times now,… Continue reading Being Thankful

April is the month to wait: for the dirty old snowbanks to melt away, the mud to dry up, and the grass to green up. Not that there isn't plenty to do while it slops around. I keep a rake outside my door, (don't laugh, kids, it's not for leaves) for raking up the firewood… Continue reading Constancy

And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven will also forgive you your wrongdoing. -Jesus from Mark's record I suppose standing prayers are the most used kind by us girls. We have our hands in the dishwater at the sink, just standing there going… Continue reading Stand Praying

This beautiful house is falling down. The whole homestead of old buildings are falling in. But what they once were, can still be seen. The place needs a poet's observations, which I am not. Look at that archway. I want to polish it and put a vase of flowers on the table beyond it in… Continue reading Old House in the Woods

Today is a good day to create hygge wherever you are. Because it's cold and muddy and there are flurries in the wind. It's the kind of day that one doubts because the sunshine of yesterday that promised spring, is gone again. The forecast says single digit degrees are coming in the wind that howls… Continue reading Hygge

It's spring now. Even during March there are evidences. In case you're doubtful because we still get new snow often and each morning you still find yourself feeding the woodstove or turning up the thermostat, I wish to declare to you that I have proof. The robins are back. Honestly, it has to be tough… Continue reading Spring March

There are 100 calories in 16, stuffed, green olives. And a mere handful of nuts will easily add to your tally an additional 200 calories. The cleanest, clearest ice formed in nature is falling out of the trees today... Leftovers of our weekend ice storm. The highly functional person in your life out performing you… Continue reading Things To Know

We went to a funeral of an old friend today. I think the obituary was the nicest I have ever heard in my life. The funeral was nice too, if I may say so. There were thoughtful hymns sung with old fashioned theology that I haven't thought of for years. I'm not sure I understood… Continue reading Musings