Today I finished sorting through old VHS and cassette tapes. It took emotional strength to handle and make decisions about things Ken and I watched and listened to together. Music tends to create a backdrop to my life – songs I listened to in high school, college, while dating Ken, while dancing with Ken. While doing this task I kept humming that song from Damn Yankees – You’ve Gotta Have Heart. “You’ve gotta have heartAll …
Had a magic moment a couple days ago. I picked up the clarinet, warmed up, turned to a page in a song book, and just played the song. I never expected this. A year ago I didn’t know how to read music. Each note was a struggle – ” Oh, that’s a C and how do I play a C?” sort of thing. This was very similar to studying a language. After studying French or …
OK, go ahead. Laugh. But all day long I have been very excited about picking up my repaired clarinet. I keep humming that old Supremes song Back in my Arms Again. I had brought the clarinet to a shop an hour away for repair; the rear register key was stuck. My teacher had tried to oil it and help me, but it was rusted shut – in less than a year since I had it …
It’s around midnight. This ten year old farm dog just treed a small bear. Loyal has secured his hives and I just want to say a good farm do is a real asset. Thanks, Oscar for being on duty 24/7. We appreciate it
This clarinet has been in my life a little over a year now. My dear sister-in-law Anna has loaned it to me; she bought it for her daughter who left it behind when she went to college. How kind and generous of them both! I had no musical training; as a child I had chosen dance classes. With a bum knee and the heartbreak of losing my best ever dance partner I decided I wanted …
This place has been dormant; I have felt like Sleeping Beauty – the vines were growing up around the castle! Last summer Loyal returned for a visit after many years, and we decided to work something out so he can take over here. I have no children. Loyal knew Ken and worked with him and understands the magic of the place. Loyal got some pullets and has them in the mobile coop. He has also …
I love flowers. My friends said they knew my relationship with Ken was serious because I moved perennial flowers to Turtle Lake. One of the first to open was this short Siberian iris that opened a couple days ago Today this yellow iris opened Although fewer in number than some years, the wild daisies are starting to bloom This fragrant tree is about to bloom. A friend told me it is a hawthorn. And it …
Last week while cleaning and sorting, I found some 1/4 inch elastic. This had been in short supply. I had gotten mask kits and made twenty masks for local health care workers, but had been cobbling together something each time I did go out Now that I had elastic I faced something. What had initially seemed like a short disruption in routine, this virus has become something we will need to work around for a …
This third Sunday in May two years ago I led Ken’s memorial service. It was a beautiful day, and many people came As I recall the day I remember the feelings – first, there is the gratitude at all the people who helped me I felt amazed at how many people came to share the service from so many parts of our lives People of all ages, families, people with walkers and wheelchairs. They all …
Monday I helped Loyal bottle the last of the maple syrup and the birch syrup. The maple was the settling of each batch. If one lets it settle and pour off the top, clear syrup then filtering and bottling goes quickly and smoothly as pictured in the last batches bottled a while back. Tuesday morning I bottled the small amount of maple syrup that had not gone through the filter. I can use this”sludge” for …
