Hurry up and Wait

Once again…I find myself having to look back and see what I wrote and shared last. To my surprise my last blog was written in JULY!! 9 months ago. I could have had a baby in that time, but of course I did not (those days have long passed by); however, we were blessed by the arrival of another granddaughter, back in November. Even though April has arrived, winter is still lingering at the door. I felt such disappointment as I came across a photo from five years ago. There wasn’t a lick of snow in the fields. They were just as red and ready to come to life. Unlike now. At this given moment, we easily have two feet of the nasty, I don’t want to see it anymore, white stuff covering the ground. This time of year, I start to get antsy and eager to get outside, play in the dirt and feel the warm sun on my skin.

This morning, as I do most mornings, I stood outside before the sun began to rise. These moments are a form of meditation for me. Being in the moment. Here and now. Thinking of nothing else except for what’s going on around me. The air was still and silent. The dark sky slowly began to turn the colors of cotton candy, just over the horizon. The first bird called out in song from the tree line across the field. The day had officially begun. I stood there for a while, taking the world around me in, as the pastel sky turned to a vibrant orange and red. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I caught movement.

Saturday morning, we woke up to another three inches of unwanted snow. Not the way I wanted to start my day. With overcast skies and a light drizzle, the morning just felt dreary. I happened to look out the kitchen window, as I poured myself another cup of coffee, and something seemed out of place. Or shall I say, something in a place where there is usually nothing. I went to the porch window to get a better look. I was shocked to see a coyote, sitting in the middle of the unplowed seasonal road, across from us, just taking in the morning. It was an unusual sight to see and something quite remarkable to witness. It sat there, in the snowy road, looking around, without a care in the world. As I continued to watch the typically elusive animal, it stands up and nonchalantly meanders up the road. Rarely do we see the coyotes, only their tracks, as they keep a safe distance from the house. We do hear them quite often though, all around us, unlike many people, I personally love to hear their yapping and howling. It’s a reminder of where we live, amongst the wildlife, in our favorite place. Nature.

Now, back to this morning, the movement I caught, was once again the lone coyote. This time, quickly scampering across the field and disappearing into the woods. I could relate to the coyote this morning. Some mornings, I am able to enjoy the new start, other days, I’m catching the sunrise as I’m on the road, headed to the barn. Even with living our “Simple Life” I feel I’m on the go more often than not. Errands need to be run, appointments are had, animals need to be tended. Life is still busy. As it is for everybody. We live in a world of GO! GO! GO! Even when I’m home, I’m still working and the next thing I know, the day has come to an end.

Despite the fact winter lasts forever here (I know this, as it was our 4th), I’m also wondering where the last five months went. I had full intentions of spending the winter months like a bear. Hibernating, inside, with my Ole girl, Willa. Spending my days reading, writing, knitting and doing whatever project I felt like conquering at the time. Well, soon enough, even the bears will be waking up and the intentions I had of resting and resetting over winter will only be a thought. I really can’t complain. I did get a number of books read and a few knitting projects done. I was able to get out in the fresh air, get some exercise while snow blowing and shoveling. We had a few good days of solid sun and minimal wind (which doesn’t happen often on The Hill) and I basked in the sun, while lying in a snowbank. I also managed to get a few naps in. Does life get better than that?

Even though the calendar said “Spring”, three weeks ago, we still have a wee bit to go. As we wait for the snow to melt, the ‘Honey, we need to-do‘ list will be worked on and added to, indoor spring cleaning and my favorite, DECLUTTERING, will continue and bit by bit, we’ll start UNwinterizing the house. Inside and out. In less than a month, the porta potty will arrive, so we can put the outhouse to rest. Our official sign that warmer weather is here. Until then, and moments in between, I’m going to remind myself to take the time to enjoy the present and just be. Like our neighbor, the coyote.