Open to Surprises

Daffodils are coming up all over the place around here. Even right in the lawn and pathways where we walk.

I was surprised to see them coming up at this time of year. Where I have lived, much further north, they did not sprout out until spring. Then I read that this is normal for down here. I guess they sit around all winter, waiting for spring to bloom. I’ll be watching them.

And these, loropetalum, I think. See their flowers. They look rather multi-colored in the pic, but they are actually a solid bright magenta. I pruned them, and then they came on with the flowers. What a lovely surprise.

The azalea by the pond has bravely been putting out blooms, one here, two there, all fall.

We have moved my mother down from Oklahoma now. She has, of course, been uncertain about this new arrangement of living with us. She especially wanted to have a microwave in her bedroom so that she could have her morning instant coffee in peace. Having embraced the invention of instant coffee when it appeared (what? ’50s?) she has drunk this coffee for the majority of her 83 years.

This morning my mother came into the kitchen, saying, “Coffee smells good.” Surprise! Since moving in, she has not even opened her instant coffee, preferring instead Bigstreetrod’s brew–stick the cup to the maker spout and it fills. I guess that’s pretty instant.

I’ve learned that when something looks very dire to remind myself: “One never knows what might happen. Expect a good surprise.”

Now I have to post this and run outside and look at the daffodils, see what more may have sprung up. I look everyday. This new home is sure a constant surprise.

Blessings,

CurtissAnn

A Book — Best Friend This Side of Heaven

I am getting down to unpacking the last of my books. I opened a box yesterday and shouted for joy, finding beloved treasures–Cold Sassy Tree and Leaving Cold Sassy, both by Olive Ann Burns. It is a book that reminds me to savor life for all it is worth. Olive Ann Burns died before she could finish the second book, Leaving Cold Sassy, but the publisher used the book to share the inspiration of Olive Ann’s life.

Books are the shoes with which we tread the footsteps of great minds. ~ Unknown

Others from the box, an eclectic mix:
America’s Popular Sayings, by Gregory Titelman, where I found that precious P.G. Wodehouse wrote in 1920, “So always look for the silver lining, and try to find the sunny side of life.” Reminds me of a song from the depression.

All Over But the Shoutin’, by Rick Bragg, a novel whose voice and honesty sang me home.

The Gift of the Blessing, by Gary Smalley and John Trent. I first read  it when my son was in his teens. I began blessing him each time he left the house; he braved this with ducked head. One time, however, I forgot, and suddenly the back door open, and he rushed in, saying, “You forgot my blessing.” Oh, treasure of memories! And it seems a reminder to begin again blessing my dear ones.

Putnam’s Phrase Book, April 1927 edition, a small book billed as An Aid to Social Letter Writing and to Read and Effective Conversation, with Over 100 Model Social Letters and 6000 of the World’s Best English Phrases, compiled and arranged by Edwin Hamlin Carr. Belonged to my great-grandfather and proves fascinating reading. I had no idea how many phrases I know and use on a daily basis.

Books are the compasses and telescopes and sextants and charts which other men have prepared to help us navigate the dangerous seas of human life.–Jesse Lee Bennett

Is it only me?–I have a need, and suddenly a book will appear to speak to me, often not what I expected, but what I need to know. It has become common occurrence, which I no longer doubt, to walk through a library or a bookstore, and have a certain book all but jump off the shelf into my hands.

Books are the most faithful companion on earth. One does not have to feed a book, or tend it. One can take what one wants from a book and pass the book along. A book is never too busy to speak, is available day and night, and takes no offense at being set aside and ignored for years and years. In fact, it often becomes more valuable with age. A book says things that the wisest teacher and closest friend, lover, spouse cannot say, at least say and be heard. A book is always constant and loyal and will not leave you, as many humans do–although my mother has said a book sprouts legs and walks off.

There is the age-old question, which I read just this morning, of what one book would you want to have if stranded on a desert island. Well, my first thought was that choosing one book was in impossibility. Okay, enlarge the choice to two books, not much better, but more fun.

My choices, which are only of the moment: The Bible, which provides fascination for hours, and then America’s Popular Sayings, which could make me laugh.

What would be your two choices from your best friends?

Blessings,
CurtissAnn

Doors of Welcome for Fall

I’m excited to join in with the Doors of Welcome series generously hosted by Karen at Some Days Are Diamonds. Frankly, one of the things I love best about my new home is the antique door.

I was looking at Michael’s for organizational baskets, when I came upon this one. I remembered there was already a small nail in the door. I snatched up the basket, found the box containing my faux (fancy word for fake) fall flowers, and wa-la! I am not one for spending a lot of time.

In her advancing age my housecat Fancy is getting daring and stepping out into uncharted territory.  Just like me.

Do drop over to Some Days Are Diamonds to visit the other participants of Doors of Welcome for Fall.

It’s the Little Things

When we moved from Oklahoma to Alabama, we gave away and discarded most of our living room furniture that was either worn out or did not suit the new style to which we had decided to become accustomed. In the meantime, the mis-matched pieces we are using ended up being dumped helter-skelter into the room. Yesterday, seized with ambition that did not extend to washing windows, I made a stab at arranging pieces in a more pleasant and usable manner.

In studying the scene, I heard a small voice urging me to switch the chair placement. I resisted, answering with all manner of excuses: I like my chair in the corner; the light is good and I can easily see out two windows. My lamp has to go with my chair and will be unprotected from boisterous grandson out of the corner. That ugly large chair and ottoman Bigstreetrod is currently using is heavy and bulky. If moving it proves a poor choice, I’m going to have the effort of moving it back.

The Voice persisted. Large ugly chair and ottoman went into the corner area and mine free-floated out from the wall and windows. Placed the lamp behind my chair and cherry occasional table between them.

Well now!

“God is in the details.” ~ Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, architect.

The change could not help the puke-green walls or make old furniture new, but things were definitely more pleasantly livable until decorating takes place. Bigstreetrod attested to this, when he was complimentary to a degree I found a little peculiar.

Then this morning, when I plopped myself with tea into my chair, my entire body sighed with pleasure. I thought, “Wow, this really does feel better. It just feels sooo right!”

Looking around, I began to laugh. The furniture is now arranged in virtually the same position as we lived with for the past sixteen years in Oklahoma: my chair on the left, Bigstreetrod’s on the right, table between, with windows behind and beside, and the television directly at the far end of the room.

Hmmm…lessons in listening to the Voice, the strength of habit and feng shui, and how little things mean a lot.

“You can stand the big things. It’s the little things that will make or break you.” ~ Anna Marie Henderson, my mother.

Blessings,
CurtissAnn

Outdoor Wednesday #38

Whoo-hoo! Outdoor Wednesday time. Here’s the view out my front door this foggy morning.

And from the upstairs dormer windows on a clear day.

Wonderfully cool on Tuesday morning. Opened my office window and looked down into the side garden. Ooops– I saw the waterfall pond had gone near dry! Pump was still chugging, and dear water lily gasping for breath. (Yes, only one water lily, just haven’t gotten to putting in more.)

6 AM, and in pajamas and flip-flops, with robe flying out behind me, I ran downstairs and out the door, dragged the hose over to start filling the pond. Folding up the sleeves of my robe, I bent over the rocks of the waterfall and began rearranging them, as is my compulsive nature. We have a problem with the pond leaking water. It does not leak if the pump is not running, so we believe the problem is in the waterfall but as yet have not been able to get the rocks in correct position.

Since I was there anyway, I dug out leaves and gunk and cleaned the pump filter. Suddenly the hose on the pump came off, and brown scummy water sprayed out of the pump and all over me. For some reason I had the idea that I could get the hose back onto the pump with the water spraying out. With my glasses covered in water, I realized the impossibility of this task. Throwing the pump on the bank, I hurried over rocks and through scratchy bushes to reach the box and jerk out the plug. Then it was hurrying out of the bug-infested jungle to the yard, all the while slipping and sliding on wet flip-flops.

I returned to the kitchen, stepped in and stood there, a wet hen.

Bigstreetrod said, “Why didn’t you just leave the pump in the water?”

“Well, I didn’t want it to suck water back in through the open hole.”

“It’s got water in there. That’s what it does. It pumps water.”

The light dawned.

Here’s a shot of our ponds in the side garden. Someday they will work correctly and have many plants. I want a garden pond, not fish. Can you imagine how I would have been with fish in the pond?

Thanks to our host, Susan, at A Southern Daydreamer. Pop over and enjoy other posts by Outdoor Wednesday participants.

Blessings,
CurtissAnn