Now, I Follow You.

        At first, I carried you.

Then I walked beside you.

Then I followed close behind.

But now, I follow you from a distance.

I've dropped back to where I belong at this particular mile marker of your journey. 

Now, it's time for you to take the lead and for me to trust I taught you well enough when I carried you and when we walked side-by-side for you to feel secure out in front.

But I'm still here, and that helps us both. I'm only a few mile back, watching you do your thing. Watching you choose, navigate, figure out your path. You are capable, careful and considerate. It is a privilege to watch you, see you as a fine young man.

As an observer of your life, I am not displaced; I am in the right place. I'm only a text, phone call or FaceTime chat or a drive away. Letting you go gradually is what helps you do it well and me do it at all.

This is Love that has loosened its grip. This is Love that will always hold on, just more loosely. This a Love that has an open palm outstretched, in case you need to grab onto it again.

This is Love still at the ready, so if you say, "Are you coming, Mother?" my answer will always be, "Yes, I'm coming. I'll be there soon."

I love my boys and am super proud of the wonderful men they are becoming.

Watchful Eyes

Do you ever get the feeling you are being watched?

My dad used to say, "Behave as if someone is watching you because chances are, somebody is."

Kinda creepy.

I decided to enjoy breakfast on the deck. Squirrels scattered as I took a seat but quickly returned to their morning meal.

 However,  I noticed a big female sitting on the guy's targets quietly watching. A very stoic creature. The others paid her no attention when she occasionally climbed down to nibble on some corn, then return to her post. 

I'm not sure if she watched over the various critters on the ground or if she watched me. I could've sworn I felt her beady eyes upon me. Plotting, planning who knows what in that squirrely mind.

A Tea Message

Asthma sucks. 

I was having a bad coughing fit in the middle of the night and couldn't sleep. I figured a nice hot cup of my favorite lavender tea would be relaxing. Indeed it helped.

When I read the tea tag in the morning, I thought, "How apropos."

#NatureLover

My soul finds peace in nature. Lucky for me I live in the woods. One could easily find me on my covered porch or back deck writing,  reading,  drawing, meditating or doing yoga. 

Just last night Flyboy and I enjoyed a quiet dinner on the deck minus the youngest. Nothing is hotter than a sexy man cooking for you!

We have simple feeding stations around our yard to attract a variety of wildlife. It is a joy watching them and several have made it into my books. During our dinner, a male hummingbird visited a feeder a few feet away! 

Mr. Hummer moved too fast for a photo.

Back into the Yoga Groove

During the long 6-week recovery from cervical spine surgery I wasn't allowed to do my daily morning yoga. My doctor suggested I use that timd for meditation, but I used it for sleep.

Needless to say, getting back into the routine has been surprisingly easy. Taking time for yourself, a little bit of self love you could say, is important. 

Today was Day 2 and I did 35 min yoga followed with a 5 minute meditation. 

I'm feeling good! Watch out world!

Frittata and The Forest

A beautiful morning in my neck of the woods. I made an aromatic breakfast that would lure my teen son out of bed.

2 Slices of bacon

3 eggs

1 Tbsp heavy cream

Handful of baby spinach 

2 slices Smoked Cheddar cheese

Preheat oven at  350.

I warm my cast iron skillet while I slice the bacon into little strips. While bacon is browning, beat eggs and cream. Feel free to add salt, pepper, a dash of ground mustard seed. 

Remove bacon from skillet and add egg. Lay baby spianch on rgg, then add bacon. Tear the cheese and lay ontop.

Don't stir but watch for edge to begin to cook. Remo e from burner and place in preheated oven. Bake until egg is done. (5-10 minutes).

Remove from oven and let stand for a minute or two before cutting into pie slices.

It disappears fast.

To Tea, Or Not To Tea

After freezing at a the Youngest's high school baseball game, I woke this morning with a sore throat. Oh, yay. I certainly can't get sick this close to my neck surgery! 

After doing my morning yoga with the House Tiger, I searched for some Throat Coat tea. Found two varieties in the drawer Borh feature licorice root and slippery elm as main ingredients. Add a bit of cinnamon and I'm ready for a flavorful throat treatment. 

I couldn't choose one so I selected a bag from each.  After all, what would it hurt?

Oh, goody...two tea tag messages! 

The House Tiger says it's nap time.

Daylight and Daylilies

Of course it happens. My pup, Reyka wakes me eatly on my day off. Why can't I ever sleep in?

Ugh! Get up, feed critters, find the positve and start the day on the right foot.

> I shared a rare moment chatting with teen son before he left for school. Normal mornings consist of me speaking words while he communicates in grunts.

> Grabbed a cup of coffee and wished it were warmer and Flyboy was home. However. a lovely dawn it was. Look at all the GREEN!

> Oh, my! The wild Daylilies are pushing through the leaves! A little sign of summer. Yay!

"Live light, travel light, spread the light, be the light." - Yogi tea tag

It's a Bit Nippy

Here it is, April, and it snowed a couple days ago. However, warm temperatures are on the way.

After taking Flyboy to the airport, the sun decided to wake. I enjoyed a quiet moment on the deck nibbling a Brioche muffin slathered with blueberry lavender jam while Reyka did her business in the woods.

Spring is pushing forward. Reyka is puzzled by the frog calls and doesn't understand why her mom oohs and ahhs over all the tiny flowers.

What signs of Spring do you see? 

> Blueberry Lavender Jam from Harbor View Nursery and Lavender Farm in Traverse City, MI. YUM!

Find It

Some days are filled with joy and peace, others are not. Perhaps its how we view it. 

I began my yoga in the dark and by the time I finished, light filtered through the woods. 

At first I saw the grey trees and prepared for a gloomy day. Then I noticed the lovely hues of peach and rose. The warmth filled my soul. 

It will be a good day. 

Find the joy. Find the peace.