There has been a blizzard of Magnolia leaves over the last few weeks. Flurries in the morning breeze, squalls stirred up by afternoon gusts, great dumps of leaves in the evening wind. It has become a never ending task to keep the front yard cleared. When we decided to make a move, to venture out, to try someplace new, the only stipulation, on both sides was someplace with “no winter.” So I count my blessings that it is not cold, that the only “white” in our yard is petals, “shovel sunshine” instead of snow, rake leaves into neat little piles. … Continue reading Shoveling Sunshine

Today was a big day. After eight months, ten paint swatches, two samples and five second guesses, we have FINALLY painted our first room. It has been a process for a lot of different reasons which I will get into at a later time. BUT….we did it and I could NOT be happier with the result. Blue is not a color I gravitate towards, but this room, our future library, is a blue room at heart and was calling out to have this vision realized. It was originally painted a flat hunter green (another shade I tend not to enjoy.) … Continue reading Tangled Up In Blue

First Friday is a monthly event that everyone in our area looks forward to. People put the work week behind them and head downtown the first Friday of the month to peruse the art galleries, listen to live music, grab a bite to eat, catch up with neighbors, ohh and ahh over classic cars and relax or people watch in one of the many squares. First Friday is always THE place to be. The streets are filled with noise, laughter and people. This month First Friday looked and sounded much different. This month (and last month) the streets are empty. … Continue reading First Friday

We saw them this morning from a block away. Carrion birds bigger than our small dog. They were making quick work of a squirrel I assume had been hit by a car. Cleaning up man’s mess. Keeping the sidewalk presentable for joggers, dog walkers and parents pushing prams. These birds are not known for their elaborate plumage or melodious serenades. They are not center stage, in the spotlight receiving accolades; flits of color between the branches, notes of a well known song. No. These birds work mostly unnoticed behind the scenes, receiving wrinkled noses and looks of disdain if spotted … Continue reading Clean Up Crew

Judith the cat is judgmental. She is standoffish. She is on my lap and on my arm. She is looking at me and purring. She is….my friend? Maybe I have finally passed some sort of test. Maybe she sees me wearing gray instead of my usual black and feels we have a connection, a sisterhood. Maybe she has finally realized, after several years and a move across country, that we are her forever family, that we and she are here to stay and she can finally let her guard down, relax and get attached. Whatever the reason, she has decided … Continue reading Girl Talk

The state of Georgia has decided to reopen. We have decided to stay home. Most of the local businesses, given the green light, have decided it is too soon and are erring on the side of caution, choosing to remain closed or continue with the strict precautions they have been operating under since the shelter in place order was given. Restaurants, allowed to open their dining rooms, are opting to keep them closed and continue with pick up orders only. Retail shops are continuing with online shopping and curbside pickup. Not a single church in our area had in person … Continue reading Safer at Home

I heard someone say today, “Think. Think one more time. Then make your decision.” That is sound advice. That is advice that should probably be followed. That is advise that will get you from Point A to Point B in the most succinct manner. That is advice that birds and explorers disregard. They know life is what happens in all of the unplanned, unthought out, improvised moments between the two points. They know that facts are heavy, options paralyzing and thinking out every move renders you frozen in place by fear and gravity and the weight of it all. Life … Continue reading Think. Think One More Time…

My mom always loved her birthday. She loved being the center of attention (not in a bad way) visiting with family and friends, having a special meal out and….lemon cake. I have been apprehensive about this day. Felt it coming. Wondered how I would react. It is number three since she has been gone and I am still figuring out how to navigate around and through it. The first birthday after she passed I took the day off of work. Did some shopping (something she and I did a lot of together) saw a therapist and got a butterfly (her … Continue reading The Sweetness of Lemon Cake

We pretend we are fancy when it rains. We talk in posh accents, as Egmont Street fills with water, about how lucky we are to “live on the lake.” We chuckle about it as we wade in, water to our ankles, shoes heavy and soggy; straddle the current to get in the car. Watch the level rise as rain falls. Yesterday the “lake” was very impressive. Wind blown Magnolia leaves rode the current to the storm drain as oak twigs bobbed along behind. It wasn’t long before the whole drain was blocked and we were once again fancy and living … Continue reading Sink or Swim