315: Should be

A moment of peace

There are so many things I should be doing right now.  Lots and lots of things.  But I am going to wait.  Just for a little while.

We took Dad and Noah to the train station very early this morning.  They should be arriving in Philadelphia about now.  Or at home by the time I get this posted.  M is back at work.  Izzy and Bella (the cats) are napping.  I have the house to myself and the quiet is such a wonderful thing I don’t want to disturb it by running the washer and dryer or turning on the vacuum.  I’ll have to do those things soon, but not right now.  They can wait while I soak up and enjoy this moment of peace and quiet.

I took a long, slow walk around the pond a little while ago.  It’s quiet outside, too.  Peaceful.  Lovely.  The sort of day to make friends with Summer.  It’s still hot and humid, but there is a softness about it today, with a gentle hint of cooler times to come.  It’s as if the harsh edges of summer have started to wear away.

A field of Queen Anne's Lace

The ironweed is flourishing in all of the meadows, big heads of small purple flowers dotting the landscape.  We had a mizzle yesterday for most of the day, drizzling and misting by turns or sometimes all at once.  The day of gentle, gentle rain brightened the greens in the fields.

I want to spend the rest of the afternoon wandering around the property.  Maybe even take off on my bike for a little while.  Alas, there is no time for it.  The quiet, the emptiness, will not last for long.  M’s brother and sister will be arriving tomorrow to spend a few days (and nights) here at Breezy Acres.

Today's view of the pond

I need to strip the beds in the spare bedrooms, wash the sheets, return the (clean) sheets to the beds.  Because Bo the Dog has been here visiting over the past two days, and the cats are still shedding like mad due to the heat, a good vacuuming and dusting are in order.  The air mattress (used by guests over the weekend) needs to be deflated and put away.  I also need to go up to the garden and harvest some Swiss chard, cucumbers, and (if we’re lucky) some tomatoes.

The fridge could probably use a good cleaning out as well.  Or at least a thorough inventory of what’s in there so I can get ready for the next round of cooking for guests/family.

I’ll go and do all of that as soon as I feel as though I’ve filled myself with this wonderful, wonderful peace and quiet.

Even the water in the pond is still and quiet, reflecting the sky and trees and whatever looks into its mirror-like surface.

I am grateful for this bit of time to myself.  I am grateful for the quiet, the space, and the peacefulness of the day.

These brief moments in time are like a giant sigh, a letting go of tensions.  I love spending time with family and friends.  However, I also need some space every now and then to balance, center, and find that calm place within.

The wisteria vine thinks it's a horse

Taking a few deep, deep breaths, right down to my toes, I relax.  Recharge.  Smile.  It’s almost time now.  Time to get up and take care of the chores.  Time to get ready for the next round of visits and fun and full days with family.

One more deep breath and off I go to tend to my obligations and responsibilities.

Ironweed in the meadow

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