As we headed out the door, I thought to myself, “I’ll be damned if I’m going to stay uninspired and crabby.” So I grabbed my camera. When the Mr. drives, I can snap away. It usually puts me in a happy zone. I desperately needed to do something to avoid a serious tantrum from happening.
Ugh…the building across the road is continuing to taking shape. It’s gonna be big. Thinking about that doesn’t help my mood…
Keep driving…stop looking where my sunrise used to appear…
Ah, yes, it’s thrift sale season.
I’m thankful we’re not planning to have one this year. We donated a bunch of stuff to the neighborhood fundraising thrift sale. Way easier! Maybe we’ll have one later in the year after we move the youngest adult child, again? But that’s next month, I still have time. Shit!…Next month is only a couple of days away…and she’ll be moving away, again.
Take a deep breath, just breathe, breathe…stare out the window, find a distraction.
Lake Wissota still has ice on it. Definitely not safe to fish on it anymore, but with a few more sunny days, and some rain, it will melt away. And then the island will be surrounded by boats and people to romp around on the shores. That means summer isn’t far away. But, crap, we haven’t even had a spring yet. Grr…
Oh, my, yes, we definitely need rain. Smokey Bear knows best.
It’s Spring Fest this weekend in Chippewa Falls, and that means there will be a lot of traffic in town. Sigh…
Yep, the town is a humming along with cars and people.
Nope, not for us, we like to stay away from crowds, especially when I’m not in the mood for talking to people.
The road construction on the bridge heading into town seems never-ending.
Same with the Riverfront Revitalization project. Soon work will continue on phase 2 or 3. In the distance, the river roars – that’s not snow, its rapids from the 3 open gates on the NSP dam.
I wonder if their “we’ve planned for flooding” plans will work? The rapids sure do not indicate a rivulet riverfront.
We stopped by to visit our grandkitten – Bee.
She wasn’t impressed with me as much as I am with her nonchalant attitude toward me, that is until I get close enough for her to claw me. It was a good visit, I left with only one war wound on one hand. She’s such a sweetie, really, she is.
As we left, I looked down at the flower bed and spotted purple inspiration popping through the leaves.
Spring flowers are so heartwarming. Their appearance reminds me to appreciate moments of persistence and an invitation for renewing my faith in embracing the changing seasons.
Me: “I need to pick up some potting soil, and starter trays for my flower seeds.”
Mr.: “Want to go to Wal-Mart and get some?”
Me: “Yes, that would be great!” I smiled…”He knows me so well, I think working outside on flowers today will be just what I need to get over my lack of inspiration.”
Mr: “Only $20 – not bad for mood-boosting stuff.”
Me: “Yep, you got that right. Let’s take a different route home. Maybe there will be other things I can take pictures of?”
Mr.: “You got it, I like to do that, too.”
A nice drive through the countryside showed signs of trees budding and guests gathering at the Autumn Harvest Winery & Orchard. Nope, too busy today, we’ll stop at another time. Again, we avoided the crowds.
Back at home, I felt inspired to get happy. I couldn’t wait to replant my office plants. Finally, I will be rid of the gnats. I had been successful in ridding them of all but one planter. And yesterday was the day to conquer the pests once and for all.
Here’s the culprit pot.
I knew it, the yucky mold was a great host for gnats – good riddance! It felt great to put the plants in new soil. I took extra precautions this time, pots with a drainage hole and moisture control soil. I’m keeping my fingers crossed the gnats won’t return.
Time flew by. I spent 3 glorious hours outside in nature. It was nice to dig my hands in the dirt, soak up sun rays, and feel the spring air blowing through my gray hair. Never have I ever took care of my flower beds this early in the season. It felt weird to have time to do it this year. My irises were popping through debris from the winter, I couldn’t resist to help them out.
Copper, joined me in the yard while I worked to enjoy the spring day, too.
Mr.: “Are you up for steak for dinner?”
Me: “Hell, yes!
Me: “Thanks Honey, you’ve outdone yourself again!”
Mr: “Aw, shucks, thanks…you’re welcome.”
It was a great day!
I still feel inspired by yesterday. I realized my simple life exists at a pace that’s nice. Sure, I will have days where I’ll miss the busy times with kids, but, that’s damn okay to miss them once and awhile. It makes the times when we do see them extra special.
For now, we shall embrace our empty nest and find peace in our slowed down pace of life. Yesterday, it was grand to have found inspiration by taking time to relax in the sun, dig my hands in the dirt, and sit still and watch the birds. And, you got it, no more adult tantrum…I think I could get used to this…
Oh…and I woke up to a beautiful full moon and I captured it with my camera!!
Nice one 😊
Thank you!
Dear Shelley,
What a great post, taking us from your own personal ‘crank’ to the morph, as it unfolds.The lake looks quite beautiful BTW (I peeked at images) – I suppose you’re used to it, as one gets … but so many lakes have been invaded by green algae it’s quite nice to see one that’s still so blue! Can you show the relationship between your house and the building across the road so I can mourn with you better?
Thank you, Ellen! The lake is beautiful at this time, and not green…but it turns green quickly. Usually, around the 4th of July, it is neon green! Yes, I’ll do that soon, once I start working more outside!
Wonderful to read of your very full day.
Thank you!
I don’t think you are looking at the building across the street from you in a good light. Try this slant. Suppose the couple moving in turn out to be really nice people? Suppose the woman turns out to be wonderful, so kind, funny and understanding? Suppose you two turn out to be good, lifelong friends? Suppose one day, when you are much older, you slip and fall and no one is home but your neighbor across the way sees you and saves your life? Suppose your husband has a heart attack and you need a ride to the hospital pronto! Isn’t there a possibility that your new neighbors might turn out to be GREAT, fantastic, much needed neighbors?
When we built our new home here 17 years ago, the neighbor across the way from us was so happy to have us. He was very lonely and he and my husband turned out to be good, lifelong friends! The two would do anything for each other: share tools, help out with work or just sit and chat!
You’re not losing a view. You might have the possibility of meeting at least two wonderful human beings who might just need both you and your husband to be good neighbors.
Shrug off your negativity.
Start with a clean slate.
See who they are and what kind of people they are first before you make any conclusions.
Your new neighbors might just be a gift from God.
Good luck.
God made the sunrise and sunset and He can do with it whatever He well chooses.
Perhaps you will see a much brighter sunrise and sunset sitting on your neighbors back deck while you both share a cup of coffee? (or a glass of wine) Doesn’t the coffee taste so much sweeter when you have someone else to share it with?
Peace and hugs……….
Thank you for your words of wisdom! I agree, there are always possibilities to discover. We’ve found out that it is just a shed for storage, so we’ll see if we get to meet them and chat when they move stuff in and out from the huge shed. 🙂
I’m glad you were able to dig in the dirt, eat steak and get over your tantrum.
Sorry, but I’m laughing at the “it’s gonna be big” building across the road. You have to read my post from almost three summers ago to put things in perspective and avoid future tantrums. Remember, Shelley, it can always be worse. 😉
https://maryjmelange.wordpress.com/2015/08/26/the-build-of-summer/
Thank you, Mary! Oh, my, yes, your ‘big’ is way worse than what I’m going through. I appreciate you sharing your laugh and lesson about perspective!!