The Blue Dot

   Earlier, the sun hit one of the prisms in the window at an odd spot and, instead of the normal rainbow of colors produced, a single blue dot of brilliance hit the wall.  I was at the right angle to see the dot whereas Son sitting across the room could not.  Why did this blue dot strike a chord with me?  Simply because over the past few days I witnessed some pretty spectacular events yet no one else could "see" them.  No one cared.  Even when I tried to share the experiences, I was met with blank stares, no responses whatsoever or "So?".  To be honest, it hurt.  I am not sure why but it did.  Perhaps that bit about being alone is not bad but loneliness is terrible has come to settle in around me.  No one understands.

  First, there was the tiny ribbon snake that lives near Puddle Pond.  It is no secret that the tiny snake is there as it can often be seen slithering through the hyacinths in search of baby frogs.  What made the sighting meaningful was that the snake was the prey not the predator and it sought my help.  A black racer was also at the pond and had spied the ribbon snake.  Had the smaller snake not wormed its way next to my foot, it would have surely met its end.  The black snake was not as confident about being next to a human as the ribbon snake was so the chase ended rather quickly.  I gently moved the tiny snake to the hanging plant on the arbor and shooed the larger critter along its way.  Just knowing the wee thing trusted me was thrilling...at least to me.

  Next, a hawk alit on a limb just a few feet from my head while I was out watering the dying plants this morning. The poor bird was looking longingly at the droplets.  I ever so slowly turned the spray toward the limb and thus on the bird.  The hawk was not afraid and actually started fluffing its feathers as if to soak up each droplet.  The heat and drought was obviously being harsh on the bird and it needed cooling as much as the plants.  After a few moments, the hawk flew to a nearby oak tree and watched as I continued my chores with my heart aflutter with excitement.

  Then, that blue dot of light which meant nothing other than the insight it gave me into how others cannot see what I do.  The brilliance aptly depicted my enthusiasm over the other events and the fact that Son could not even see it from his position nailed the attitudes of those not caring about the simple yet exquisite things around us at any given time.  Son and I discussed the reasoning behind the lack of response from people.  Either it has come to the point where others have lost the ability to marvel in the simple things in life or I have gotten to the point where each event (no matter how mundane) is extraordinary.  Perhaps this is due to the fact that life is short and becoming shorter with each day.  I am determined to cram as much "life" into what remains of my time here on this earth.  Folks, never...ever...lose the enthusiasm.  Live in wonder.  Take each day and view it in awe.  Trust me when I say there is never enough time. 

It is lonely at the top!

   Late winter saw me hauling compost to the garden spots.  This was necessary from two points...one,  the compost pile needed cleaning and...two, the garden needed prepping for the spring gardens.  There must have been thirty wheelbarrows of the compost so it took me several days to complete the job but finally, the gardens looked nice!  They still do even though I am waiting to pull the last few broccoli and cabbage plants so the tomatoes and peppers can be set in the ground.  Hopefully, that will happen by this weekend...weather permitting.

  There is one lovely plant that sprouted from a seed in the compost.  Since all scraps go to the bin, hundreds of seeds (food scraps) wind up there, too.  Obviously, a pumpkin seed was among those hundreds.  That seed was the top of its game and now one lone pumpkin plant has taken up residence in the garden.  It is sad and lonely as there are no others.  I fully had expected the late freeze of a few weeks back to kill the plant but, somehow, it survived!  While the bees are working the blooms of this plant, the pollination is not happening.  I wish there were two or more but this sole seed sprouted and grew.  Poor, lonely pumpkin plant!  

  My intentions may be late but tomorrow will find me planting a few more pumpkin seeds along side this one.  I doubt that those plants will grow fast enough to bloom before this one withers away but maybe?  Oh, well, I had not even planned to plant pumpkins.  I guess, now I am.  Poor, lonely pumpkin plant.

Refocus

   With all the everyday hubbub, it is easy to lose focus on what really matters.  "Things that need to be done" can oftentimes get in the way of what "should be done".  We all get hung up in chores, duties to others and the humdrum of everyday life that we forget to keep an eye on that "should be done" which is take care of ourselves.  I know I am that way much to a fault.  Lately, I have not dedicated any time whatsoever to selfcare and my physical, as well as, mental state is taking a severe hit.  It has got to stop.

  That was the revelation that I had on the pier this morning before dawn.  The skies were just beginning to glow that glorious golden orange when I noticed a lone heron standing hunched over in the shallows near the marsh.  The bird was slightly hidden behind some tall cord grass and it took some focusing of the camera to be able to photograph the bird.  After getting my picture, I watched as the bird looked so forlorn...so forgotten.  I know herons are solitary birds meaning they prefer to be alone except when seeking a mate but this fellow did give the appearance of being lonely.  

  Pondering the bird, the difficulty focusing the camera and the forlornness of the setting, I came to the conclusion that I needed change.  I needed me.  I guess it is time to shuffle the daily workload for a while so I can get back to me.  Refocus...