Monday, 13 May 2019

Monday Moanings - May 13, 2019


Here I sit, legs tucked up inside my wagon, reluctant to kick off into a new week. I'm going to need a push, maybe more like a boot up the backside. It's as dreary an internal landscape as it is outside my door today.


I'm tucked into an old heavy cardigan as I write this, a mug of steaming chai within easy reach. And I confess that wore my winter jacket earlier this morning when I went into town. I'm thinking it's a good day for a curry - something fragrant with the promise of warmth and exotic flavours so very unlike the damp gloominess of the day.


Spring - where are you? A year ago, at this time, it was short-sleeves, hats and sunscreen weather. A year ago, I went fishing on Mother's Day. I got a whole mess of rainbow trout with a little help from my fishing buddies and the fact that it was a trout farm. Not only that but Spring was busting out all over and pollen was in free-flow.



But fear not my friends, a sure sign Spring in the land rolled onto our street this past Friday morning and right up our driveway. Yes indeed, the annual truckload of next winter's firewood arrived, all 5+ tons of it. With air brakes sighing, the familiar white truck rolled in from the highway, right on time.


John, from John's Firewood, has the routine down pat. In one fluid movement, he backs his rig in from the road, lines it up with the woodshed, then tips the bucket. With a ground-shaking rumble three bush cords of split hardwood tumble out. He pulls the rig forward, gives the bucket a good thump or three to shake any last bits out and pulls back onto the driveway.


Job Done in under three minutes!

And there's more good news! The birds are emptying the feeders at a great clip and they have been joined by the hummingbirds and Baltimore Orioles.



So if I ignore the weather, Spring is coming along in just about everything else. That's a good thought for this Monday Moaning. It might even be enough to push me into this week with a smile and a renewed hope for sunshine.

Cheers!





©2019 April Hoeller


Monday, 6 May 2019

Monday Moanings - May 6, 2019



Sunshine and warmth on the same day- TWO days in a row!
The Baltimore Orioles are back!


The snow tires are off and stored.


The BBQ has been fired up ...


and performed beautifully.


There is no possible lament on this day, at least not one from this hand. Too many days I have allowed the news of the day to rob me of joy. I have no illusions that the litany of complaints, warnings, and outrage will stop any time soon. But I celebrate the gift of warmth and sunshine both yesterday and today with great joy and blessed relief.

Splendid weather, that profound lifter of hearts and spirits, is full of grace, an unmerited yet highly desired gift - for an hour, a day or even two days.

Deo gratias!



©2019 April Hoeller

Thursday, 2 May 2019

Thursday, or Thereabouts - Thursday, May 2, 2019






... according to the calendar, but the weather gods seem to have had different months in mind lately. March-like ups and downs buffeted by winds typical of November bringing snow, freezing rain, sleet, and heavy rains have dampened spirits and caused massive flooding. Fortunately, my part of Ontario has been spared while points to the north, east and south have not been so lucky.

The prophets of weather now point to the good stuff coming in mid-May. They said the same thing about March and April too. Eventually, they will be right and I will dance with the sheep, chickens, cows, pigs, and ducks of May.




But all is not grim and dreary in my world. I am just back from my annual five-day writing retreat along the shores of Rice Lake.


I had three simple goals for my time away:
     Rest
          Re-set
               Write


And I scored the hat trick - I accomplished all three! In spite of the weather, (which wasn't all bad as one can see in two of the photos), or because of it, I got the job done. I wrote a few new segments and re-worked six chapters. 


I was in the company of an inspiring group of writers. Our collective creative energies powering us all through the twists and turns of our stories. We were well fed and 'watered'


But most of all I was nurtured, cajoled, and even spurred when needed to get on with the writing. I am indebted to Ruth E. Walker and Gwynn Scheltema-Anderson for offering such consistently great leadership. Namaste...




©2019 April Hoeller