Things I hope not to forget.

What I have learned so far.

Never be without an extra can of Lysol.

Never be without an extra stick of deodorant.

Never be without an extra package of the paper napkins I prefer…which is Bounty.

Never, ever be without an extra gift for any one or number of my five grands.  One of which had a birthday this week and got a woefully sad gift from his GiGi and PaPa.

Never write off the beauty of breakfast for dinner.

Never underestimate the benefit of a second TV, an office or spare bedroom.  Just saying.

Needs are few. 

Family is everything.

cindiswindowlakeliving

Ode to Joy

Started stocking up on some plants this week (I had ordered a few by mail only the second time or so I have done that) and my neighbor-niece picked up a few for me while she was out on errands.  I already almost killed those by leaving them out on the step in an “ooops, I forgot the plants” moment when the temps dropped down to near freezing. They may recover IF it warms up soon. I think May 10 is our safe to plant date for 2020.

I told you about the extension of my trail, once known as trail to nowhere and now referred to, occasionally and loosely, as the trail with purpose. I LOVE this addition to our landscape and although it was a lot of work, and still work needed, it is becoming a favorite spot. Except for the poison ivy or poison oak I picked up while ripping out myrtle, hiding in the growth to do its dastardly deed on my arms and ankles.  Now that I know it is there, I look for it and it is discreet, for sure, but its there. Poison Ivy seems to be strong this year as I have seen several people post about it. Devil weed.

This year has turned in to a year of some serious landscape planning. It is nice to have the niece next door as she also is a landscape planner. We talk flowers, shrubs and trees a LOT. We enjoy it and well, she also picked up some poison ivy working in HER beds. So, we share that as well.

The daffodil game has been strong and long this year; the colder temps seem to be keeping them on a nice rotation without everyone blooming at once. There’s a lot to divide and move later to keep this look going.

 

Even with everything that is going on, spring is such a great time of year. Even on days when it is a bit gloomy or cold I walk out onto the porch and take it all in, just sort of survey it. We have a lot of projects, sure, but also a lot of joy. Who doesn’t need a bit of joy?

cindiswindowlakeliving

Trail to nowhere.

This is tough.  We all are going through it, and well, it is tough.  Not going to dwell here cause we are all having similar thoughts.  4 weeks or so in to it, and it is tough.

Last week I did a thing.  I have had a bit of a trail through the woods side of the house for a couple years.  It leads out past the area I call my moon garden, where the statue my son-in-law made in college usually stands.   I refer to it as my trail to nowhere.  Last week I sat on the steps of the front porch looking out at the trail, thinking about how much mulch I need for it this year and where the heck that would come from, how would it get here and gosh, that’s a lot of mulch. Not a huge fan of dyed mulch, I prefer wood chips from real trees, brown, dirty and probably insect infested, but cheap.  The local recycling center is currently closed and well, not looking likely for a truck load or two of wood chips anytime soon.

 

Naturally, I decided it is the perfect time to expand the trail, to make a loop, to widen the new section a bit and come out parallel to the entrance.  You would no longer have to enter and exit in the same place. Of course, this is a perfect time to tackle this project…when you have absolutely no resources and nothing but time. 

I dug in, I tore out.  I begged hubs to come and help with bigger trees.  You know there were maples galore, some requiring an actual shovel and a strong back, even a chain saw for a couple.  I ripped out myrtle that had long ago been left to grow wild.  It was a solid two days of work and an afternoon here or there of picking away at some little patch of vine or tree. It’s a loop, a start and a finish...it's not long or fancy and I love it. More importantly, the grandkids are going to love it, too, once they can run on it and explore and pretend. I might not run it but I walk it and explore and pretend, imagine, plot and plan, dream.

While it's still a trail that goes nowhere, in the end it finds itself and hey, that’s always a good thing.

cindiswindowlakeliving

Checking in.

What do you really need?

What do you really want?

What are you able to live without?

The new normal.

 

I admit that I have struggled a bit this week.  I can’t remember the last time I was off my property…which is OK by me, really, its just that I can’t remember.  Since we are now considered “elderly” (which was a shock), I have been playing it very safe.  At least, I think so.  I am so grateful to our neighbors and our daughter for doing their utmost to keep us healthy and watching out for our well-being, getting our groceries and supplies, and including us in their runs for take-out food.

 

When we look back on this time, we will have learned much about ourselves, as individuals, as family and as citizens.  What do we want, need and can live without? I bet most of us have a list starting to develop in our heads already.  Way too much food has been kept and thrown out in this house over the years.  Way too many clothes and “niceties”.  Far too many snacks.  Not enough parties, not enough cook-outs. Not enough Isopropyl Alcohol and Hydrogen Peroxide.  Not enough Lysol spray – I’ll never be caught short again. 

Not enough contact with those I love.  Too many days and weeks go by without an “I love you” or even  “just checking in”.

 

Checking in, guys.  Hope you are well, hope you stay well and I love you.

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