More Time

Diary of a Week

Monday, March 11

Aunt Eva called. She said her lungs had cleared, her heart had settled down, and that she’s gaining strength. A deep breath of happiness and relief flowed over me. Because we need more time. We need to talk about gardening, she and I, and canning, and birds at our feeders. We need to discuss remodel and building projects (she’d still be on a ladder, remodeling a room, if she could). We need attend more performances together, where she’ll wear her flowy chiffon blouse and sparkly necklace.

Tuesday, March 12

The robins arrived! Just this afternoon. They didn’t look one bit travel weary, but they did look hungry. So they got right to it, hop hopping across the lawn, pausing, cocking their ears, listening for movement in the soil beneath.

Wednesday, March 13

I pushed open the door of the hardware store, the one that’s in that old brick building with wooden floors that squeak. The one that still carries glass chimneys, cotton wicks, and kerosene for oil lamps. From the back wall, I chose a pair of green handled loppers. Next time I’m near those wild apple trees, I’ll be ready.

Thursday, March 14

I gathered the candles from every window, and the two from the lanterns at the foot of the porch stairs, for packing away until the days are shorter and another season has turned. When I first set them to flickering in the windows last fall, I wasn’t sure how long I’d leave them. The weeks went on, the daylight shortened, the daylight lengthened. When the clocks leaped forward, it was time.

Friday, March 15

I find myself looking for a shock of color. Hot pink, to be exact. In my wardrobe, to be even more precise. But I already know, amongst the neutral-rich assortment, there’s nothing even close. A quick stroll through eBay, and there’s just the thing, a cotton boatneck blouse by Talbot’s, with 3/4 length tie sleeves, in the perfect shock of pink. I can already imagine it with denim capris, a camel Pashmina, and leopard print flats (or with cashmere socks and Swedish Hasbeen boots if it’s chilly).

Saturday, March 16

I scattered tiny pansy seeds onto the moist soil, covered them with vermiculite, misted it all with water. We chatted about home and springtime and weather. In a narrow tin box, I sowed wheat berries, then randomly nestled in muscari bulbs, for a springtime centerpiece. We talked about bulbs, then. And containers to plant them in. I poured a spoonful of fenugreek seeds into a jar, filled it half full with water to soak, fitted a screened lid on top, the start of salad sprouts. We were women of all ages and stages, together for an hour on a Saturday, from east coast to the west, enjoying slow time together. (Mark your calendar! Our next Gather is on Saturday, April 20 at 10:00 MDT.)

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