Thursday, May 25, 2023

bloomin' tankas

 


1.

as repotted houseplants

adjust to roots transplanted

renewed life … maybe

my roots need

regrounding

2.

temptation tiptoes 

as i acquiesce 

perhaps in another life

results were found  

to be rather pleasant

3.

maybe just maybe

in that other life

an oracle spoke….

did i follow and became

one pleasant bloom?




joanconnor 05/25/2023

Wednesday, May 24, 2023

Reading and Musing




Books are my go-to for joy and escape, information and entertainment. I have not always been such an avid reader. When raising my five children during those years of much responsibility, I did not read. I was just too tired if and when I ever sat down.

I just finished reading Anne Tyler's book, "A Spool of Blue Thread." It held my interest. Below is a quick summary of the book, cut/pasted from goodreads.com. 

  "It was a beautiful, breezy, yellow-and-green afternoon." This is the way Abby Whitshank always begins the story of how she fell in love with Red that day in July 1959. The whole family--their two daughters and two sons, their grandchildren, even their faithful old dog--is on the porch, listening contentedly as Abby tells the tale they have heard so many times before. And yet this gathering is different too: Abby and Red are growing older, and decisions must be made about how best to look after them, and the fate of the house so lovingly built by Red's father. Brimming with the luminous insight, humor, and compassion that are Anne Tyler's hallmarks, this capacious novel takes us across three generations of the Whitshanks, their shared stories and long-held secrets, all the unguarded and richly lived moments that combine to define who and what they are as a family."

This just might be an interesting selection for our senior center bookclub that resumes in September. I have months to decide and during this interim there will be many more books I shall consider. 

I have recently been selecting books from the online library Axis 360 through our Kerrville public library. I peruse the offerings as one would peruse shelves in the brick and mortar building. Sometimes I read about a book that is new and place myself on the reserve waiting list. All this is online. Then I am notified when it is available for download. I like reading on my ipad or small laptop, but also have a Kindle I could be using.

I have many many books to read that I have purchased through Thriftbooks. I am trying to wean myself from ordering any more books. Next winter I am going to take each book and either read it or give it away - hopefully read it and then give it away. Of course there are books that will be permanently shelved - reference books for poetry writing and journaling and other interests.

Just yesterday I started delving into my weaving bags to see what has been collected - a small loom and yes, several books. I also found a video that had never been unwrapped. I think this summer I shall begin the new hobby of weaving. At one point in time I really was intrigued but did nothing about it except order the books and a couple looms. Have you ever done that? It's rather like putting the horse before the cart - acquiring the tools before I try any of it out. Perhaps this is going down another rabbit hole.

Off to peruse my online library for a new download.



Tuesday, May 16, 2023

In Limbo


               "This is the day that the Lord hath made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it!"


Yes, yet another bird-chirping wide-expanse-of-the-sky-day here on my Madrona deck. I shall miss this grandiose view! It is truly a God-given, God-driven opportunity to greet Him each morning looking over the canyon of treetops and musing as perceived matchbox cars traverse on Highway #16.

I am ready to finish the packing and move into 100 Should Bee simply because it "should be" our new and final home here in Texas. This new house is mortgaged to the max since our home here on Madrona has not sold. We are contemplating renting it and must talk with the realtor this week.

I love to think of the possibilities in our new smaller home on a beautiful landscaped lot. It is very close to the Guadalupe River and kayaking could be my new frontier of entertainment. 

I contemplate the possibilities of creating a social and committed life to God in Hunt, Texas. We have visited the church there and are pleased with the reception and the Presence of the Almighty. There is a garden club (not sure) and a school (would love to substitute) and a country store with live music some weekends.

Cleaning will be prioritized tasks the remainder of this month - the movers come June lst. I hope to be very ready. In the meantime there is one more closet to peruse and pack. 

Blessings to count: 

1) The occupants of the Should Bee house are leaving three days earlier than originally told. 

2) There is a local yard man that hopefully will tend our half acrea. 

Friday, May 12, 2023

The Gift of Giving



It's time to catch-up, get remotivated and put the pen to paper. It has been nearly one month since I have caught you up regarding my whereabouts. 

We were spending a long weekend in Halletsville, Texas at a marvelous fiddle contest, the likes of which I have never experienced. The fiddles were played with such vim and vigor strings were flying across the stage. Several of the contestants were professionals, such as fiddlers with Asleep at the Wheel and in Lyle Lovett's band. I am sure there were more impressive connections that I missed or was oblivious to since I do not follow the fiddlers' circuit. 

I became ill the evening before we left and was prone the whole trip back to Kerrville. Then David got sick and had the wherewithal to test for Covid. We had it! For two weeks we stayed home and coughed our way to the finish line. Our strength was sapped. Fortunately we had started packing in April so the impending move was not affected by our inabilities to do much of anything.

We are almost packed and our move to Should Bee Drive is June lst.

In the meantime we are spending this Mother's Day weekend at a dulcimer festival in Glen Rose, Texas. I attended this festival many years ago. My wish came true yesterday. Jen came to our rv and took ALL the dulcimers, music, rhythm instruments, drums and paraphernalia for the raffle table.  The monies pay the performers and their housing for the festival. This festival is totally free for all who attend. It has been in existence for many many years.

I contributed two Blue Lion dulcimers (chromatic fretboard and bass), one McSpadden baritone, one original unusual dulcimer made in 1977 (Marietta, Ohio), and one psaltery. All the dulcimers were in excellent shape and their tone is absolutely awesome. I believe the older instruments have aged and the woods resonate with charm and tenacity.

And so I am going to lurk around the raffle tables, observe the comments and interest in these specific dulcimers. I will keep you posted regarding the results.

I hear you asking why I didn't sell the instruments that range in price from $650 to $800+ each. I am not sure there is that much interest in these specialized instruments - their values less than the original listed prices. Primarily the joy in being able to donate and support this program far outweighs a few hundred dollars in my pocket.

Off to listen to folks jammin' and performin' .....

SNAP! - so nice among plants

SNAP! - so nice among plants it only took a few minutes to water the invisible zinnias they're struggling, underground still i should ha...