So when I read through my drafts that have never been finished or posted, they are full of thoughts I've been thinking, ideas I'm processing, questions I'm asking. Mostly questions. And you, dear people, never get to hear those questions. Perhaps they are your questions too. Perhaps they are just mine and I don't want to expose my folly. This is why I do not publish. So much for really believing that there are no stupid questions, that the process and effort is growth.

Two of my favourite sounds:

-someone giggling or laughing out loud over the book they're engrossed in

-the sound of shears cutting fabric laid out on a table or the floor

A borrowed post

There are lines in writing that resonate. Sometimes it can be the whole tone of a book or blog or website. Sometimes a sentiment behind a word or two. I have spent months on one verse in the Bible, coming back to it again and again, fully intending to get on to verse 4 but never getting past verse 3. "Grace and peace to you from our Lord Jesus Christ." So good.

A while back I stumbled across Tonia's blog. I've never met her. Emailed once. Who is this woman? Remarkable for sure. In any case I read this blog post today. Look for the phrase about not knowing how to answer the questions that seek to measure. Then look for the act of defiance. If only I'd thought to think that in the days before I became aware of my own confidence in this need to be at rest.

And then explore her blog. There are many places to settle for a while.

My garden dreams

The first of the tomato seedlings are up! They were planted March 15. I just finished planting the last of the others to be started indoors so we'll see what comes up next.

A non comprehensive list of my garden plans:

tomatoes--a few varieties (Ok, 7. I'll be making salsa and sauce. The cherry kinds are for snacking during the summer.)
peppers--hot, sweet and paprika (who knew you could grow paprika?)
winter squash--red kuri, delicata, butternut
pumpkins--pie and giant
melons--watermelon and muskmelon
cucumbers--English type and for pickling
onions--red and yellow
gourds--ornamental, birdhouse and luffa (which has never worked for me but I still have seeds so will give it another try)
celeriac (also called celery root)
brussel sprouts
and a variety of flowers including Maltese Cross, purple millet, nicotiana, feverfew
summer savoury

To be planted outside when the snow melts and the ground warms up:

peas--shell and snap
lettuce--a variety of kinds
more flowers, including cosmos, zinnias, scarlet flax, chrysanthemum, calendula, sunflowers, runner beans
dry beans--goose gullet, blue jay, cranberry
carrots--our soil is too compact for these so we're trying the little round Parisienne ones
cauliflower
potatoes
kohlrabi if there's room but I got tired of those last year

I think I'm forgetting some things.
Ask me how I like my garden during weeding and harvest time!

Happy Birthday, Dan!

For days now...three...I have wished my brother in law a happy 50th birthday.

Problem is, he hasn't known about it. Poor guy.

Our schedules are a tad different. So I'm writing it here and I will send him this link.

Happy birthday, Danny!

I hope it was a gloriously, beautiful and fun day, fully alive to the love that surrounds you.

Hopefully we'll get to see you sometime soon.

I couldn't find a picture of a cake, so I found one of a conga line!

Need to pray

For the one who holds my heart I pray for it all.
For the three who stole my heart, I pray for so much.
For the one who's been struggling for weeks with emotional heaviness, I pray for light.
For she whose daughter is ailing, I pray for healing.
For a body turned on itself, I pray for a straightening out and new cells.
For those who lost a beloved, I pray for peace.
I thank for a successful home exchange and settling in. times two.
For peace in future educational decisions and the daily yells of "Mom".
For baby number 8.
For strength, and the ability to allow for grace both to herself and her charges.
For those who do not understand the need to pray, I pray for insight.
Grateful to have experienced enough peace in difficult times to know it is possible.
May Christ be glorified.

A reminder

Memories of summer past give hope for the spring.