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Monday, June 24, 2013

Monday Musings.

I have come to realize that I approach knitting  the same way I approach my life - only loosely configured around the pattern, full-steam ahead, almost always with mistakes at the start.  I then consider the mistakes good learning experiences, but don't fix them.  In knitting, it's usually too far to go back; in life it's too late.

I'm finding more and more people on the road who seem to be navigating through short bursts of consciousness -- "OH, right.  I'm driving a car!"  No doubt texting.  That's when I realize how different I am from a, say, 20 y/o.  If I were to text while driving I would a) have to find my glasses; b) slip my iPhone out of its knitted case; c) try to only hit one key with my fat finger; d) you get the picture.  It's not happening.  As my friend, Marty, used to say -- "I may be nuts, but I'm not crazy."

Roadside monuments that commemorate the sites where loved ones have lost their lives, tend to say so much about the person.  Kay's is so beautiful, I can't stop yet, as it makes me cry when I see it.  Then there are the young men whose monuments show tattooed visages, draped with beer cans and notes.  I don't know that it's a great idea to memorialize death by drunk driving.  The utility truck driver who lost his life at the bottom of the mountain near me has a large, hand-made wooden cross with his name burned into it.  It is not temporary - it's an installation.  He must have been a pretty great guy. 

The older I get, the less interested I am in rekindling links with distant relatives (distant in both the figurative and literal sense).  This could have something to do with the fact that their visits are usually on weekends, which, as most of you will agree, are sacred.  I am so far behind, I can see myself coming and going.  It's getting to the point where the only reason I would leave the homestead on a Saturday/Sunday is if Raul Julia came back just to see me.  Hubba hubba.  I believe I'm safe there.

I'm having a terrible time making up my mind about the goats.  I do NOT want four goats.  I will gladly usher Sage to a new home (bon voyage and good luck - don't let the barn door hit you in the ass on the way out).  I was going to include Willo in the package, leaving a more manageable number of two - Uncle Chickie and Apple.  But then, yesterday morning, I went out to feed everyone and there were Willo and Apple, lying side by side, their tiny mouths working their tiny cuds.  So, now I'm back to just Sage hitting the exit door.

This year I am fussing with my garden much more than any previous year.  And I'm not sure why.  I circle it every morning and every evening, plucking weeds, giving encouragement to the potatoes and squash.  Cursing the chipmunks and the slugs (which I think are responsible for my sweet potato damage).  I feel that my garden is more important than it ever was before.  It helps me focus and makes me happy when I see things growing (could it be any more of a miracle - the amount of biomass in one tiny seed?)  I love my garden.

10 comments:

Sue said...

Loved this post and all it's "random-ness". Gives a good peek into the mind.

I have always spent too much time in my garden. I love it far far more than most people I meet.
Oh boy......that sounded negative. I'm not. But, oh...shut up Sue. You're digging a hole (and it's not for a plant-hahahahha)

Unknown said...

What a nice peak inside your thoughts :)

Carolyn said...

I hope this doesn't offend you, but I never understood the reason behind putting up markers where people died on the highway. I mean, I like a memorial and all, but I don't think I could drive past that part of road if it were someone I knew and not have horrible thoughts about the incident; I'd much rather visit a place we shared in life if I needed to "commune" with them. But I'm sure you have plenty of those thoughts and places to remember Kay by and hopefully in time will be able to smile about those times.

As for the goats.....maybe we can sucker, I mean, convince somebody to take Sage and Pickles as a package deal.

I'd say I enjoy the time in the garden....but maybe not today, too hot and I almost...ALMOST, wish it were winter again.

Susan said...

Sue - Oh, yes - venture into my mind ... if you dare... :) I totally agree with your views on gardens. I feel the same way. And about most dogs/cats I meet.

Susan said...

Nancy - Why, thank you! :)

Susan said...

Carolyn - No, not at all. I am not a fan. I just find it interesting since I pass so many. Which is sad. I would rather visit a place of happier times, too. There's too much sadness and grief in the world without adding more. I do believe that Sage and Pickles (sounds like two Deli side dishes, doesn't it?) must be twins separated at birth. And I am afraid that Willo has the genetic tendency towards loud-mouthed-ness. I don't enjoy summer so much, but I do enjoy the fruits of summer, so to speak. And HUSH on that winter business. We just got over it!

Mama Pea said...

I, too, love the randomness/rambling (meant in the nicest way) of this post. Your mind is a wonder. I don't know how it handles all that goes through it in a space of one day.

Although I certainly sympathize with you (and Carolyn) with your goatie problems, I once had a sign in my kitchen that said, "The more I see of people, the more I like goats."

It's my opinion we DO need to grow as much of our own food as we can this year. For more than one reason. Besides, my garden calms me, centers me, pleases me and keeps my body from becoming stiff and creaky.

Raul Julia, eh? I'll take Patrick Swayze . . . but don't tell my husband.

Susan said...

Mama Pea - Gardening is one of the best exercises you can do! Cardio (chasing the rabbits/squirrels/woodchucks/chipmunks out), bending, twisting, cussing.... :)

I love my goats. I just can't have four and the one that is going is the noisy, complaining, semi-feral one. I so agree with that sign. I might just make one up for myself!

Patrick Swayze? Ooooooohhhhh. Mum's the word....

Michelle said...

Hugs, friend. Many empathies here.

Jenyfer Matthews said...

I love puttering in my garden - I feel productive, get exercise, enjoy the sunshine and outdoors, and can let my mind wander. Very relaxing in its way. And I get beauty and free food (sometimes) besides.

Chipmunks... not sure if that's what was burrowing in my garden bed but I dropped some rodentcide chow down the hole...