Friday, March 12, 2010

Spring forward

I just did a 2 mile walk as far as Van Altynes and back in 30 minutes.I have decided that I would eventually like to do 4 miles in one hour, which is almost to the Hillsdale line south of here. I could then reach Great Barrington in 3 hours or Chatham in 2. Wow!

The big news this spring is that Phyllis continues to progress in rehab, and will then join me in her own way on these jaunts. She was a cheerleader, after all. The promise of the crocus, still hiding beneath the snow takes on reality with the fragrance of fresh flowers sent by well wishers and delivered to her temporary "home".

There is much anticipation. The resurrection has taken on new meaning as we spring forward, clear the cob webs, bake some Easter bucellatte and get ready for the homecoming. I offer this poem from William Wordsworth. My rainbow is Phyllis, and my life began anew when I met her


My Heart Leaps Up
by William Wordsworth

My heart leaps up when I behold
A rainbow in the sky:
So was it when my life began;
So is it now I am a man;
So be it when I shall grow old,
Or let me die!
The Child is father of the Man;
And I could wish my days to be
Bound each to each by natural piety.

Saturday, March 06, 2010

Checking on Spring

Today was the day to check out the progress of spring. A windswept partially cloudy sky that let in a lot of sunshine brought the temperature to nearly fifty degrees, if you walked south, and probably about 35 windy degrees as you walked north. The neighborhood was busier than usual: a father and his son splitting wood in the field behind the post office; a mother and two of her children collecting sap from the maple trees, and generally a softening of everything as the snow melted gently onto the back roads. There are little red buds on some of the smaller tree and bushes, and the birds seem more active. The firehouse marquee reminded all to turn their clocks ahead next week, and more importantly, change the batteries in your smoke detectors. Spring is making inroads all over the place.

My spring this year will see Phyllis smiling face monitoring the bird feeders, the spring planting, the early mowing. She will see the plants sent to her in rehab gently placed into the earth for rebirth another year. I think this part of spring will occur before the calendar spring, and certainly before the snow is gone.

Phyllis is making great progress. Rehab has been as good as it gets. Come on spring! We need your brightness, sunshine, and lullabies.

Thursday, March 04, 2010


It's been a while since I have had the time or energy to post anything. Sometimes, life takes turns that require more steering, and often crashes happen despite the best of caution. This sounds ominous, and it is. I don't like to write about the bad things that happen, the crashes. I prefer the good times, so here goes.

Phyllis is recovering from a hip fracture. As she progresses toward recovery in rehab, I am confident about her prognosis, although I am aware that a walker will inevitably be a part of our lives forever. We can deal with that.

Phyllis has a smile and way that wins hearts and minds. This is unchanged. Dozens of cards with get well wishes have been sent her way. She is loved by many, and she is grateful for all.

We hope to be a household again in a couple of weeks. Healing is so indeterminate. It will work, on time for spring, alive with robins, magnolia, crocus, and a fresh garden, and a refreshed Phyllis.