View From The Hill: November 2010

Saturday, November 20, 2010

daily haiku

purple finches fight

seed enough for all of them

jousting keeps them warm

We've had 4-5" of snow and it is beginning to snow again. Another 1-2 inches forecast. Sub-zero temps are coming on Tuesday so it looks like a white Thanksgiving. Haven't had one of those in a while. The last few years it's been sunny and in the 30's as we drove in to our friends in Sheridan for the Thanksgiving feast.

I don't mind snow, but the sunless grey days get to me. Since I can't do anything about them, I stay busy with projects and act like 'pioneer woman' getting wheelbarrows full of logs and stacking them near the door so I can reach them easily at night. Bought a new tarp to cover them so they'll stay dry.

The purple finches are flocking to the bird feeder - why are they called purple when anyone can see they are red? This keeps Snowy entertained as they fly around energetically, chatter and fight. I took her out to help me move logs, but she didn't think much of it, and "chicken cat" as I call her, wanted to go back in after only one load! Two pilgrims finding their way across a lonely winter landscape.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Weathering The Storm

Daily Haiku

paint weathers and flakes

a sign of impermanence

we must expect change

Walking around the outside of the house a while ago I was looking at the state of the fence. While not in the best of shape to begin with, it was hit hard by the big storm we had in July. Steph painted it in 2009 - but you would never know it right now. The hail plus summer sun have removed most of the paint; boards are broken and need to be replaced. Next spring there's a passel of work for Miss Fixit.

Looking at my life four months out from losing Peter, I think I am weathering better than the fence. My pain has lessened, I feel cheerful and experience joy on most days. I still experience moments when memories of Peter rise to stab my heart, but it is not quite so intense and doesn't last as long. I thank God for all the friends and our children who have helped to support me and who have cared for me knowingly or unknowingly. It will be a long winter but an interesting one, I think.