Rewards of the Simple Life

The first day of summer is still a month away but we've already had temperatures in the 90's. Hot buggy weather. Then the very next day we drop back down into the chilly 60's. Up, down, up, and down.

Spring - a time of transition, renewal, rebirth, and retirement.

What? Retirement?

After much hand-wringing, teeth-gnashing, and sleepless nights I decided to retire from 35 years of nursing and on Wednesday, April 12th, I happily hung up my stethoscope.

I requested a Luau-theme party at work because I wanted to share my Hawaiian-kine cooking: kalua pig, lomi lomi salmon, and hapa rice. The party was fun and delicious.

My last day of work was a perfect work day with happy smiling people - staff, doctors, and patients  - it made me feel uneasy. So why was I leaving such a fun work environment and enjoyable group of friends?

Over the next two weeks I was filled with indecision, sadness, and regret. I missed my co-workers, my patients, my usual routine. (Psst, here's a secret: I'm not good with change even if it is change "for the better".)

I took the advice of several people who said to give it time.

Now, many weeks later, I find I don't miss going to work. I don't think about it at all. I've been too busy.

John Burroughs, Leaf and Tendril, 1908

Nesting Zone

A few days ago I surprised a little bird while raking the narrow space between the house and the raised garden bed.

I wouldn't have thought too much about it except the bird, a Dark-eyed Junco, didn't fly away. It hovered close by and tsk-tsked angrily at me.

Which made me curious.

I moved my rake aside, contorted myself into the small space, and peeked under the wooden overhang.

The Lil Mama was watching me (still tsking) as I moved away from her nest.

Since then I've learned that I can water the garden and move quietly around the planter area without disturbing the Lil Mama off her nest.

Yesterday morning as I watered the garden The Man rapped on the window and made wavy motions with his hand. What? Oh.

I grabbed a stick to detour the garter snake away from the Nesting Zone. I hope the Lil Mama and her eggs will be okay because, you know, snakes can't read.

Every Day is Special

Every day is a gift.

Happy Mother's Day
2017