Is It April Already?

 April is a time of wonder, when the spring peepers emerge from hibernation and begin to call, when robins and redwing blackbirds come back north, and when new green life appears. That is one of the greatest of all wonders, the growth of a bud and a leaf from a seed or a root that has lain dormant in the earth all winter. ~Hal Borland

Hello, my lovely friends!

 

     Okay, so here it is April, and it's always a tough one for me. Part of me is so ready to shake off the past and get back to really living, but it feels like a cruel twist that this feeling hits just as this month rolls around. The 14th... that'll be eight years since I lost my Dad. Sometimes I sit here and think it's only been eight, you know? It can feel like yesterday. Honestly, there isn't a single day that goes by where he doesn't pop into my head, multiple times even. It used to be that those thoughts were tangled up with a lot of sadness, guilt, and regret.

 

    It's funny, isn't it? For so long, when I thought of Dad, it was just... his death. A black hole of sadness. But over time, that's shifted. Now, when he pops into my head, it's not just about that last day. It's about him.

 

    I find myself smiling at the silly things he used to do, the way he'd always call me "Paula Rachel" – just him, no one else ever did that. And I can almost hear his voice sometimes. Sure, there's still a pang, a sadness that he's not here. But I try to steer my thoughts toward those happy, funny memories. That's who he really was, you know? Not just the end, but all the life he lived.

 

     It seems Mother Nature has decided to take center stage this week, orchestrating a full-blown symphony of rain, snow, and a persistent chill that's going to keep us indoors. Monday's brief window of sunshine feels like a fleeting intermission in her grand performance. With the outdoors essentially off-limits, I'm seizing this opportunity to immerse myself in the world of my garden. I'll meticulously sort through my seed collection, envisioning the vibrant tapestry of plants I want to cultivate. I'll sketch out detailed plans, mapping the garden's layout and considering companion planting strategies to maximize yields. I should also make a trip to the local nursery to pick up some high-quality potting soil, ensuring my seedlings get the best possible start. And I'll need to organize the grow bags I acquired, figuring out the optimal arrangement for each, taking into account sunlight exposure and plant needs.

 

Thank you so much for stopping by! Hope your morning/afternoon/evening is extra cozy and delightful. Until our paths cross again!