After the deluge of a Spring that we’ve had, it is finally sunny and warm today. My tomatoes are standing tall with their leaves turned upwards, thanking the heavens for the warmth.
My spirit is sunny today too, if you’ll pardon the metaphor. And I think it’s because I decided I’ve had enough of the “should’s in my life. Seriously, the shoulds in my brain are like this big: SHOULD!
whereas the other words in my brain are like this big: joy, beauty, happiness, serene, peace, excitement, fun, silly, live it up, giddy with pleasure …
Somehow I get the concept of God being the great discipliner for our own good, but I don’t get the concept of God wanting me to have fun.
That’s weird though, because I don’t just desire my children’s moral growth, I also want them to have fun. In equal measure even! So clearly something is off in my perception of what life is supposed to be about.
Today I decided to live it up. Do the things I like. Be giddy with pleasure! And wouldn’t you know the day started with my physical therapist appointment turning out to be nothing more than a (very good) back massage. Okay, yes! This is headed in the right direction.
So these are my happy ordinary things of today (following the massage).
First we got our new old piano tuned. It’s a Pleyel from 1890. Usually the tuner won’t tune anything that has a wooden board as a base, but ours is in such good condition he accepted the job. We just have to replace some of the pegs (at 20€ a pop) (cough). And the classical sheet music is on the way, including a beginner book for the kids so they will stop playing the same infernal rhyme over and over again.
I also went out to explore the garden that I’ve been shunning due to pouring rain and freezing hail. @OpinionsToGo tweeted that the pictures on my blog make it look like I live in a calendar. Let me say thank you to that OTG, and raise you a few more. (She is a great friend to follow on twitter, by the way).
My other iris is out.
And the lavender is just starting to bloom (hello little golden beetle).
My tea roses are so purty,
and the roses over the well make up in beauty what they lack in scent.
Remember this back yard a mere couple of months ago? (taken March 13)
Look now.
Can you believe the difference? I Know. Right?
All this rain has been so good for the strawberries. I’m actually making jam this year with my friend Renata.
And here are the apricots (the smaller tree is finally producing a harvest!),
the baby bamboo, which I feared would never grow
the plums
and even my kiwi (still childless, but growing beautifully).
After twelve years of marriage, my stoic husband and I discovered that he’s actually happier being around people, while social butterfly me is actually happier being alone. We chuckle over the fact that we’re just now discovering that he’s the extrovert in the family and I’m the introvert.
As an introvert, time alone in the garden repairs my soul; and I would never have pegged myself for a gardener either.
Lest you think I’ve got nothing else going on and lead a sad and lonely life, I should add that I am happiest being alone when I know that my family and friends are not far off and that the kids will soon descend upon me, covering me with chocolate kisses. That way the solitary moments are precious and not oppressive.
My husband is working from home exceptionally today, and we had lunch together: salad with goat cheese and dijon mustard dressing.
Oh, and leftover gluten-free spaghetti bolognaise.
We sat down at the quiet table and Sir exclaimed, “Oh! Nice!” when he saw the meal. (He says that every time no matter what I make).
I laughed and said, “I don’t know what I would do if you didn’t say that each time I put something in front of you. It warms my heart.”
He responded with a wink, “It warms my belly.”
Magnificent ordinariness.
You, my dear, have got to write a book and, fill it with your beautiful photos and lovely prose. And, what can I say about your back yard…MAGIC!
How sweet of you to mention me in your post.
I know – can you believe that transformation?
Hey – did you get a zillion more followers? Because I’m so popular?
Love this. Magnificent ordinariness indeed. Though your writing and photographs are extraordinary.
Alison – you always touch my heart with your comments.
Oh man, I wish my husband would say, “Oh, nice!” every time I set a plate before him.
Changing the subject completely, I think your pictures are absolutely beautiful. (Obviously, I don’t have the knack you do; photography is a challenge for me, and it never quite looks like I wish on the blog.) Your garden is lovely, but the iris is exceptional. Congratulations on the fruits of your labor. (I aspire to be a gardener, too…and in the desert!)
Hi Hillary, I think it has a lot to do with the camera. We have a Canon 550D. We don’t even have that great of a lens, but the camera is good in and of itself. I also try to avoid taking pictures in the middle of the day, out of direct sunlight. Your subject matter is not the easiest – I mean, Arizona! hardly any green to be seen. (Although I really like the picture of the tree that forms a sort of canopy). But I think taking pictures in the morning and evening instead of noon will help a bit. (If you don’t mind the advice – gulp!)
Love the garden!!! I think the kids trampled a bit on a few things. Yes we NYC folks care 🙂
Nope – you see in what good condition it is? Your kids were awesome.
Sweet post. And oh. My. Word! Your garden is lovely 🙂
Thanks Steph! 🙂
Yes, FUN!
In equal measure, even.
(Around here, we may go 49/51 on the morality vs. fun.
My apologies.)
But I love 100%.
So there’s that.
Now see I want to be a kid in your house – focus on the fun!
Awesome post, magnificent ordinariness indeed, enjoy.
Thank you Esti, and thank you for your visit. 🙂
FUN and beautiful! I’m also in the process of weeding out the Shoulds for the Wants/Needs. Coincidentally our minister did a whole sermon on “pruning”. I actually cried… it so supported where I am right now. Sometimes we need to “prune” off the distractions and obligations and focus on what really matters to us. And have FUN. 🙂 I love your writing and your pics!
Aw Heidi – so we’re in the same place then. May we both live it up (but not as in our college days). 😉
My garden is a place of therapy…nothing beats cold dark dirt in your hands.
Your yard is beautiful friend.
Now my garden is actually a pleasure to work in. Before it was a wasteland of weeds, (which probably has some moral analogy). 😉
when I was back in new york a few weeks ago, there was rain and then there was the joyous smell of wet earth and green leaves. bliss bliss bliss. didn’t jesus do that whole loaves, fishes, water-to-wine thing? sounds like joy to me…the “shoulds” will ruin your life and beat your soul into the ground. It’s like yoda said, dude, “no try, do only.” So do something, or don’t do something, but don’t SHOULD do something. Jesus didn’t do should. Did he? Your garden looks like you’re growing bliss – I envy you that place of meditation & work. Not to mention the strawberries and the irises. mmmmm
Yes! You’re absolutely right, of course. Even my husband said Jesus was called a drunkard and a glutton. That’s not a dismal guy of “shoulds” It’s just me who’s whack. But no more! (At least not for the next week, ha ha. Habits are hard to change).
Beautiful iris! Do you know its name? I can’t believe the transformation in your back yard!
Maybe you feel like an introvert because you’re overwhelmed with kids right now. I think of you as Miss Social Butterfly.
I don’t know it’s name. Only 2 of the 5 (or 6?) irises came up this year – the ones planted next to the lavender. The ones in that little plot next to the raspberries and sorrel got overrun, I think. I may move the sorrel and decorative sage and that other plant, whatever it is, and give the irises free reign. The two next to the lavender were so tall though!
I am a big SHOULD person. I work on it constantly. I love that you spent the day being “in the moment,” and happy.
The yard looks beautiful. Your writing is exquisite.
Rachel you’re a darling. We’ll throw out the shoulds together and march boldly on.
See, if I’m not careful your post will leave me with the shoulds. You have such a talent for gardening, cooking, and capturing it all with words and photos!
What a green thumb you have! Your garden looks beautiful.
I know what you mean about enjoying people but also needing time alone. I don’t have a garden (totally wish I did!) so I like to go to the nearby coffee shop and read or write to recharge my batteries.
I spent my 20s and 30s thinking about the “shouldn’t’ve-s”–shouldn’t’ve gone to grad school for a degree I wouldn’t be able to translate into a career, for example (and leading, of course, like everyone else, to law school…) On a subsequent whim, I took a job where I was only given a guarantee for a month’s worth of work–again, a potential shouldn’t’ve. My best friend sent me a card with a picture of an elderly woman wearing a ball gown and dancing in the rain, with the caption: “Ever notice that ‘what the heck’ is always the correct response?” I still have it posted in my office–6 years later, in the same dream job I thought would be temporary. No more regrets about questionable decisions–just full speed ahead. Well, usually.
Your photos are lovely–the one of the bug on the lavender really drew me in. I envy you your upcoming fruit harvest!!
My best friend sent me a cards
An “Oh nice” would be such a gift each meal. Some days I get a “what’s this?”
The ordinary is magnificent, isn’t it? Thanks for the reminder to forget the “shoulds” and get on with the business of loving life!
I enjoyed this post, thank you!
beautiful photos, beautiful life!
Look at your garden! So beautiful!
My sister is always telling me, “Don’t should yourself!” She’s right.
Magnificent photos, someday we’ll have a garden, I look forward to eating a just off the vine tomato!
This switch-flip that you described is stunning and necessary and inspiring and do I daresay? Nice.
(It look stood on you. Love this one.)
I love this magnificent ordinary of yours. That garden is the stuff of my dreams! The critters around here eat everything we plant.
I have flipped a switch lately too. No more should haves…I am moving to just do it. Now, if I can. I want to live and enjoy and be happy.
Thank you for the wonderful words and lovely pictures.
Oh Brittany – I just saw your comment, which got spammed. Thank you!
Another post that warms my heart. How is the garden now? Must look and see if you’ve posted any recent photos of it. Although those in this post make me SMILE!!! I am NOT a gardener . . . . But am a great admirer of all things garden related. And I admire your gardens very much! happy summer, my friend.
Happy summer back Leanne – now I’m the one going through the stressful behind-the-time period. Hope to make it by soon.