Tuesday Morning on the 'Stead

I am sure that you have heard the expression “up with the birds?” Well... Tuesday morning is the only morning that I do not waken to the sound of an alarm. I waken to the sound of crows defending THEIR territory, which just so happens to be MY garbage. I am pretty fast on my feet when faced with the prospect of cleaning up their gorge! Speaking of birds (of the nicer sort,) this fellow has been hanging around in our front yard. He does not seem to have a mate but seems very content. (Do you think that may be why?)

Closing one door and opening another.

Yesterday we pulled the trailer from our old house for the last time. (Or so we thought!) We got a call from the lawyer this morning however, as we had forgotten to check the shed at the very back of the property, and there were tires and old shingles to be cleaned up before the papers would be signed. Over we went...for one last time.....and spent 2 hours cleaning up. At 3pm we got word that the deal had closed. We are now officially the owners of one home.

It has been a tough year, but we have learned so much. Our journey to downsize will continue here.

In spite of the absolutely MAD schedule that we have kept over the past year, and in particular, this spring, I did manage to plant a small garden. Tomatoes, peppers, kale, carrots, squash. pumpkins, zucchini and cucumbers have been planted and I am watering them religiously.

Last night, after I had gone to bed, my husband called me to come out onto the deck. What did I see? Fireflies!! I had not seen them for years!!!

Do I have any regrets about moving, and the amount of work involved ? Absolutely not! I have only to step outside, and sit on my deck, to be reminded of how lucky I am.

I posted pictures a few weeks ago, of geese and goslings. It seems that they have survived and have made themselves at home on our neighbour’s lawn.

Dear Drug and Alchol Induced, Brain Injured Person.

Thirty some odd years ago, you made a decision that would affect you...and everyone who loved you...for the rest of your life.  You have spent most of the last thirty years being cared for by others. 

Today, you hurt me.  You attempted to leave the facility that was caring for you....and I tried to stop you from making a decision that might hurt you again. 

You were angry.  You shouted obscenities at me.  You called me names that I have never been called before.  You threw yourself around in your wheelchair, and struck out at me repeatedly.  I dodged your fists, and I held your chair so it did not end up in the gutter.

I am sore now.  It hurts to pick up my grandson, and the moving that I am involved in is now complicated by a sore back...

I will continue to care for you.  I will forgive you your outbursts...give you candy and coffee...because that really is your only pleasure in life...and because, thirty some odd years ago, I made a decision of a much different kind.  I chose to become a nurse.