Spring and all

The woods are teeming with life

We were traveling this past weekend to see family, but however lovely the visit, it is always so good to be home. The dogs greeted us joyously with shoes (Eli) and kisses (Auggie).

It has been a very wet, late, spring, but at last the woods are fully leafed out, and many of the new nests have fledglings ready to make their way into a dangerous world. The robin, who built her nest just outside our kitchen door, has spent a great deal of time scolding all of us, but the stress doesn’t seem to have affected those fat babies. The dogs are completely oblivious to her, despite her infuriated chirps.

I have once again lost my annual battle to prevent the house finches from building their nest in the bedroom chimney vent. They seem to find it an ideal location: close to a reliable food source, roofed, and dry, warm, and protected from sneak attacks by larger animals. Despite what the finches see as ideal conditions, I live in terror that someone will accidentally flip the switch and incinerate the entire family, and will keep a sign taped to the wall until I am sure they are gone, sometime in October.

Tonight we are traveling again, but this time we’re heading west. American Players Theater is a summer tradition in Wisconsin, an annual festival of (mostly) Shakespeare and other classics. The theater is nestled on a hill in the woods, and patrons often bring picnics or grill out beforehand. The weather should be perfect tonight for A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Experienced theatergoers will also bring mosquito repellent.

It will be a busy week at the house. New shelves are being built in an upstairs closet; the felled logs will finally be hauled away; and Joe, my gardening soulmate, is coming to tackle some projects for me, and to keep the weeds at bay. I will do my best to stay indoors at my desk, and try to keep our delightful chats to a minimum. I can never forego them completely, however.

Happy Wednesday!

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It is a hard time, I know, for all of us, and we have been carrying our grief, fear, and anger around in our hearts. It is difficult to look out and see the chaos around us. But we are not the only human beings in history who have lived through trying times, and although we are required to do what is right, adversity does not require us to live in abject misery. As my husband likes to say: We are not the crazy ones. It’s essential to remind ourselves of the good things in the world. Come and hang out with me, the dogs, and this stalwart little community of good people, none of whom are in the least bit crazy—or at least, only in a charming way. If you can’t afford a paid subscription, you can help by sharing and spreading the word. And you can always still read and comment.

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Be of good cheer.

JFR

And now for your gratuitous dog photo:

Our puppy nephew, Oscar, is a standard wire-haired dachshund. He is a most endearing fellow.