The cat in the catnip

It is unusual for me to catch our cat, Christian, being anything but dignified. But this morning I caught him in the catnip I planted yesterday. This plant, an herb relative of the mint plant, doesn't seem especially interesting to me, or even our other cat, but Christian cannot resist rolling and drooling on even just a leaf. After a good roll he looks up with red, dazed eyes, and then will sleep for hours.

Future grape... future vino

The nicest part of all the rain is the effect it is having on the bulk of my yard. Colors are more vibrant than I ever remember.

It seems like just yesterday I was out inspecting the woody grape vine that was just starting to pop little leaf buds. It seems to have burst not only with many leaves, but it has grown about 3 feet of vines already. And there are the little tight clusters of buds that will be marvelously sweet grapes later this summer, and maybe enough to make a little wine.

Columbine

I remember exactly what I was doing when the young gunmen entered the school at Columbine High School and killed all those people. I was painting the ceiling in the living room, listening to the news. Ironically, we were preparing our house for the arrival of our exchange students from Ireland, one Protestant and one Catholic, as part of a peace program. Now every time I see a Columbine in bloom, I think about that day, and what kind of sense that whole thing didn't make.

I am not sure the world makes any more sense now...

I saw a really good movie yesterday called "The War." It starred Elijah Wood (Frodo from the Lord of the Rings trilogy) and Kevin Costner. Costner played the dad who had been traumatized in the war. It was such an insightful movie. I came into it late, I need to watch it again from start to finish. I want to memorize some of the things Costner's character said. 

And recently a friend emailed me a web site of a brain scientist speaking of her experience with a stroke. More insights into life, and beyond life. I think everyone should at the least listen and contemplate what she has to say. Click here for her video...

Is this spring?

Just when we think we are over the hump, the wind starts blowing, the temperature plummets, and the weatherman mentions snow. And the news this morning is talking about the east coast having unusually HOT weather. 

Yesterday, just before artwalk, Nancy and I decided to run and get some shots of the cool clouds over the lake. After about 5 images for me, I said forget it and we ran back to the shelter of the coffee house. It is a bitter wind, and feels like March or April.

I remember the weather being like this when I first moved to Coeur d'Alene. It has been many years, but we used to be able to count on rain and cold for the fourth of July. The year that Mt. St. Helens blew, we missed summer completely. And we could count on a curtain of rain right about the end of August that signaled the end of summer. My garden tomatoes used to come in to the basement, still on the vine, to be stored in newspaper to continue ripening. That was about the only way I could be successful at growing them.

The last few years, we have enjoyed earlier springs, a longer summer, and a wonderful fall with a late frost that prolonged the garden growing season. I am not willing to give this up, although I obviously have little influence on the weather gods.

Someone said yesterday that we should just pretend this is April, and it will all turn out good. I don't think so. If this is April, then we won't get June until August, and I am afraid the fall curtain intends to come banging down early this year. Ultimately, I guess it doesn't matter what we pretend... it will be what it is, and I will plan another trip to Florida.

All about me?

Sometimes it is just fun to play. This morning seems to be one of them.

My theme today reminds me of a story about my sister and me after our dad's remains were interred in the newly renovated columbarium at Arlington Cemetery. We went to see his plaque, having to wind our way through this amazing maze of vaults. We finally found him, at the top where I am sure he is happiest. We had to find a rolling staircase to get all the way up to see him. Sam brought her camera and we started to take photos. Pretty soon it wasn't about Dad at all, but all about us. I think Sam took about 200+ photos that day, and it remains one of our great memories. I am sure it was quite annoying to Dad. Oh well.

My grandparents and my Uncle Morgan are also buried in Arlington Cemetery. 

Whenever I visit my family in Virginia, I make a point of getting in to see my dad, his parents, and my uncle. Arlington Cemetery is a beautiful, introspective place, and I love it there. I keep the map of my grandparents plot in my wallet. It is easy to get lost there, and even though I have been there many times, without the map it takes me too long to find grandma.

I miss my dad, and my sister. When I see her in July, it will probably be, once again, all about us.

My daughter, the graduate

All of my children have graduated from high school and are over 18. I just do not feel old enough for this to be true! I still feel like I am in my twenties. Is this normal? I like to refer to myself as Peter Pan (remember that Peter Pan was always played by women).

And my baby will be leaving me in August, just in time for my 49th birthday... "Happy birthday mom. Here I go!" And I will take that with mixed feeling, a bitter-sweet birthday present.

But I am happy today. I always feel good when all three of the kids are in their own beds. And with Byron visiting from Boise and Conor moving home, I have my good feelings boiling over.

Orange and black balloons are all that remain of our celebration last night for Maegan and her fellow 2008 classmates. She requested that I not be posted behind my camera all night, so I have no photos to jog my memory, but I don't think I need them. Her smile will always remain with me. She is so stinkin' excited... about graduating, being 18, and going away to college. And I am so excited for her. What a great time. She and her classmates are going to make some changes I think. I am proud of them all.

Spring Celebration

The sweet woodruff is taking over around the pond. I love the pretty white flowers profusely blooming. It is pretty aggressive though, and seems to be squeezing everything else out. I am not sure I care though. It is pretty low maintenance, and my gardening attention is focused in the back yard.

I cleaned the pond this week. the fish are SOOO happy. So is the cat... he can see them better, and he perches on the edge just smackin' his lips waiting for them to get close. Fortunately they are pretty savvy and disappear under the rock when he is around.

We have found several dead birds around the yard. That is the one thing about cats that we could easily live without. I love the birds singing to us in the morning... my favorite part of spring.

This morning instead of birds, was my other favorite sound, and that was the rain tickling our sky lights above our bed. Nothing, I think, can rock me to sleep faster than that soothing sound. And there is just nothing like a warm spring rain. I love to breathe in that sweet fresh smell mixed with the scent of lilacs and golden chain. It is a gorgeous time of year. 

My son, Byron, comes home tomorrow. I can't wait! Maegan graduates, my whole little family is together, we get to share it with our other family and our friends. Life is good.