Buffalo Gal

The greyer the winter, the longer the days seem to stretch to the cottage.
Like a schoolgirl, I click off calendar days until the summer. It's never been a question of escaping pencils and books (I've always liked both)but having the daily option of sitting on the porch and doing nothing but watch the water in the creek.
I don't really sit on the porch, Charlie does. But on a day when the wind chill hurts your face and cars are fishtailing all around you, the thought of sunlight reflecting off the water is a lifeline.
We're in the homestretch now, we'll probably be out there next weekend getting the place ready for the season. It's one of the only housekeeping tasks I actually enjoy.
We've been counting the days down to my daughter Jessica's wedding to Michael since he proposed last March. The various preparation milestones have been clicking past. We hosted a shower for her here just last week. Every time I talk to her, she reports how many more days until May 25. The anticipation is a delight in it's own right.
Charlie is currently driving her shower gifts to Texas and will stay with them a few days. I envy his front row seat to the excitement.
We bought this house in October, resplendent in fall blooms. Last night I noticed bright yellow preparing to escape the buds of a dozen new stalks in the yard.
I was awaken this morning when the doorbell rang. I couldn't imagine why I was hearing the chime at that hour.
My heart raced as I ran down the stairs, looked through the peephole and pulled the door open without noticing the alarm's warning beep.
There stood my neighbor with my newspaper and a foil package.
"Homemade scones," he said. "You might want to warm them up." In the yard, daffodils had emerged whole and perfect from the buds of last night.
Both the scones and the flowers were unexpected - and more wonderful for that reason.
I barely entered the alarm code in time to prevent having to share my scones with the responding officers.
I'm going to be a little late for work this morning.
Unexpected gifts like daffodils and scones deserve to be savored.

Copyright 2008 Judi Griggs

Buffalo Gal Judi Griggs I'm a communications professional, writer, cynic, mother, wife and royal pain. The order depends on the day. I returned to my hometown in November 2004 after a couple of decades of heat and hurricanes. I can polish pristine copy, but not here. This is my morning exercise -- 20-minute takes without a net or spellcheck. It's easier than sit ups for me. No guarantee what it will be for you. Clicking on the subscribe link will send you an email notice when each new entry is posted.
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Previous Entry :: Next Entry Read/Post Comments (1) Share on Facebook		2008-04-18 7:27 AM Daffodils and scones The greyer the winter, the longer the days seem to stretch to the cottage. Like a schoolgirl, I click off calendar days until the summer. It's never been a question of escaping pencils and books (I've always liked both)but having the daily option of sitting on the porch and doing nothing but watch the water in the creek. I don't really sit on the porch, Charlie does. But on a day when the wind chill hurts your face and cars are fishtailing all around you, the thought of sunlight reflecting off the water is a lifeline. We're in the homestretch now, we'll probably be out there next weekend getting the place ready for the season. It's one of the only housekeeping tasks I actually enjoy. We've been counting the days down to my daughter Jessica's wedding to Michael since he proposed last March. The various preparation milestones have been clicking past. We hosted a shower for her here just last week. Every time I talk to her, she reports how many more days until May 25. The anticipation is a delight in it's own right. Charlie is currently driving her shower gifts to Texas and will stay with them a few days. I envy his front row seat to the excitement. We bought this house in October, resplendent in fall blooms. Last night I noticed bright yellow preparing to escape the buds of a dozen new stalks in the yard. I was awaken this morning when the doorbell rang. I couldn't imagine why I was hearing the chime at that hour. My heart raced as I ran down the stairs, looked through the peephole and pulled the door open without noticing the alarm's warning beep. There stood my neighbor with my newspaper and a foil package. "Homemade scones," he said. "You might want to warm them up." In the yard, daffodils had emerged whole and perfect from the buds of last night. Both the scones and the flowers were unexpected - and more wonderful for that reason. I barely entered the alarm code in time to prevent having to share my scones with the responding officers. I'm going to be a little late for work this morning. Unexpected gifts like daffodils and scones deserve to be savored. Copyright 2008 Judi Griggs Read/Post Comments (1) Previous Entry :: Next Entry Back to Top