spring-ish, and other things

while officially it starts tomorrow, it has felt rather spring-ish around here for a solid week.  today it is cool and rainy, but we've had several warm and sunny days lately.  warm enough to wear short sleeves and have lots of snacks and meals outside.  to bring the seedlings outside for a watering.  to plant a bed full of greens and carrots, beets and parsnips.

the garlic looks great, the garden tools are being put to use…..
yes, SPRING.


she cuddles her favorite doll, Broccoli.  I think my dad bought that doll at the dollar store when Claire was maybe one and a half.  of course I initially snubbed it as an ugly cheap plastic thing but wouldn't you know it was the first doll she named and she loves her so.  others get loved on a good bit too but Broccoli is the one that has to be found before bed time and that has to come along on road trips and even came backpacking with us.

there is still rather a lot of cat-coaxing going on around here as I try to get Ziggy to eat.  something, anything.  I've never tried so hard to woo a cat.  I go to the store and buy a dozen different cans and packets and trays of various juicy bits that are really supposed to taste great to the feline crowd.  I even went so far as to get him that "cat milk" in the little blue box.  that he kinda likes.  if only he'd pick a food to like, I'd get him a truckload of it.  it looks (and, um, smells) a bit like a cat food smorgasbord around here, with probably at least 6 or 8 different little bowls and plates set about the house at any given time.  his kidneys just aren't cutting it anymore and sadly it looks like giving him fluids at least semi-regularly is our new normal.  he seems okay, if a bit tired and skinny.  we realize our time with him is limited and so we are loving on him as much as we can and enjoying him while he is here.  I am aware that in coming days it may become hard for me to see what is the reality, as opposed to seeing what I want to see.  so I'm trying to be conscious of that so that his best interest comes before my own desire to keep and hold and snuggle and pet and love.  you know?


there is also soft yarn, photo cards being shipped out to someone far away, sunsets out her bedroom window, and a bit of spring cleaning as we try (as we always are trying) to get rid of things we don't need.  certain things will stay, though.  I'm bad to gather 'treasures' while out and about.  feathers, seeds, shells, pinecones, creekside treasures….. they stay.  they have stories to tell, memories to nudge awake when I need them most.



happy spring!