Nests

It’s spring here for a minute and that means so many things. What trees are left here have tried to bloom. The Arbor Vita I had hope to get trimmed has some new guests, so the trim is on hold until my guests are fully checked out of their suite. I hope they are finding their accommodations adequate. Then I can get on with the pressure washing of gutters and other outdoor chores.

This is also the time of year we are all working on our own nests. I’m shuffling around and cleaning out. Washing windows and curtains so looking outside is clearer. I have been spending a lot of time watching the tree trimmers doing triage on our broken jungle here.

The clean up truck checking every home here.

They are getting the widow makers and anything that can cause damage first before coming to take away the piles of debris. I’m hoping the birds I see in those piles are only getting material and not building nests in there. I worry for their safety.

Sizing up the job

Can you see him working his way to the dangerous limb?

This is the time of year for a breath of fresh air, to fluff the Chi and take stock of what’s possible. We had a beautiful sunny day on Saturday. A trip to the local Farmer’s Market was so refreshing for far too many people. We shopped quickly and left.

flowers from Farmers Market

I showed my daughter, who has lived here more years than I, a new way to get to a favorite bakery for a takeout sandwich and dessert. We laughed a lot and enjoyed the long absent sunshine. There were babies to see in the line and puppies as well. Nothing could be better. Everyone seemed to feel a sense of hope and joy. I’m hoping to see new baby Blue Jays. I won’t peek.

Hyacinth working to make spring

Are you doing any nesting or seeing new life around you?

“God gives every bird its food, but He does not throw it into its nest.” ~ Josiah Gilbert Holland

From my heart to yours,

Marlene Herself

Home Again

I’ve been a bit frazzled and all over the map with my thoughts. They would not be nailed down long enough to get them on paper. Even my journals are suffering serious blanks.

The only journal that is not suffering is my gratitude journal. I am so grateful that no one here in the park was hurt by falling tree limbs. My home was unharmed as well. My sister is home as of Saturday evening with her new lungs and will be staying with me occasionally as needs arise for Doctors appointments, etc. She is doing well and out-walking me. Doctors will keep checking her the next year at least.

Happy Sis home with her family

We were able to come home to electricity and heat after five days and didn’t lose very much in the fridge or freezer. My daughter did have to go back to the downtown office to work one last day as internet had not been restored until the next day.

The only real damage I saw to a neighbors shed. That was no small tree

Our park maintenance crew has been working hard to get debris cleaned up. There are a LOT of tree branches and logs lining our streets waiting for mulching. Over 1,100 are earmarked to be taken down due to damage. Many already have so no one would get hurt. We drove around the whole area with mouths gaping. I’ve seen tornado damage; this was more widespread though not as destructive.

Marked to be mulch

I’ve filled my green waste can three times now, have rearranged the den again for a bed for my sister and squeezed everything back into my tiny sewing room. Very little sewing has transpired.

Newer pine needs tying back

They are all leaning now waiting to be tied back

I’ve cut back the butterfly bushes to the nub as I may have to replace the board on the planter. It’s broken through. There are so many little things clamoring for attention now that I start out with a well-planned morning and watch the plan disintegrate with each sip of coffee. No, I’m not giving up my coffee

Butterfly bush cut to the nub. Hoping for the best

I also noticed recent cracks in my kitchen ceiling so I’ve called the park office for a recommendation for someone to come look and determine if it’s a re-leveling issue or a roofing issue. I have one section of gutter that I’ve tried twice to have repaired and it is still leaking huge amounts of water in the copious rain we’ve had. It can all be fixed, I just need to throw lots of money at it since I’m a single woman of a certain age with limited skills. And here I thought I could do anything.

Daffodils First sign of spring.

Years ago when my recently widowed mother bought her manufactured home and put it on our next-door lot, my husband was there taking care of all the details. When my son is here on his yearly visits, he will get many things taken care of for me. The rest of the time, my daughter and I are on our own to figure things out and there is always something that needs attention. I think an apartment sounds good in times like this but second thoughts always show me an apartment’s down side as well. I guess the thing for which I’m most grateful, is the idea that somehow, I’ll figure it all out and hang onto my wonderful cluttered home a bit longer since it’s still here.

How do you manage when things seem overwhelming?

“When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure.“~Peter Marshall

From my heart to yours,

Marlene herself