NaPoWriMo – Day 10

There were three poems, but this one was a little more ready to go. More in the continuing string of longer than normal poems! Someone on facebook asked what pickles were on our refrigerator shelves and a lively listing ensued. Later it was summed up as a great long and very informative conversation that had nothing to do with the news! I totally agreed. What a welcome diversion.

After I was sick at the beginning of March, I took an actual list and did a pantry shop, just before things got locked down. (When I’d started to feel well enough to stay out of bed for awhile, I had got it in my head to clean out the pantry and kitchen shelves, which I did, a little at a time and many trips to the trash can.) I was glad to have just freshened up all my go-to items, and I’ve been lucky enough to be able to get some groceries for pick up and some fruits and veg delivered!

In these days —
“these difficult times”
when grocery shopping has
taken on a whole new
sense of adventure,
we talk about our
childhood meals and
favorite candybars and
how our sourdough is doing
as though we are indeed
in “difficult times”
My pantry has all the
old standbys, spaghetti,
makings of sauce, baked beans,
soup, sandwiches, pickles, relish.
Tea, coffee beans, sugar.
A few bottles of adult
refreshment for evening
Raisins, a jar of oatmeal.
Doubtful I will starve
although the cats would
tell you otherwise.
They seem concerned.
I reassure them daily.

.

Posted in cats helpful cats, clouds, coffee and tea, covid19, Do the Work, food, NaPoWriMo, Poetry and Lyrics, Ripped from the headlines, stash, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

NaPoWriMo – Day 9

So very rainy and later windy today. Did some “productive things” like changed the sheets and did some wash, did the dishes I left over yesterday, fed the happy if chilly sourdough starter. Figured out a way to keep it a little warmer at least in the daytime.

The cats seemed concerned that we might run out of cat litter and FOOD. I found that PetSmart would let me order it online and would bring it right out to the car so that’s what I did. In fairness, they always offer to help me out to the car with it. In truth the cats NEVER offer to help me bring it in from the car.

Anyway, that’s pretty close to Mom, so I swung by with the milk she asked for and a few extra things from my delivered shipment of veggies.

Milk for My Mother

Drove in today to see my mother
— brought her milk,
a jug of two per cent,
no loaf of bread,
none to be had even if wanted.
A calculated risk these days,
claiming an errand for myself,
part of my responsibilities
to three cats concerned,
if prematurely for their own
still amply-filled food bin.
I brought her myself, and
some unexpected groceries
along with the asked-for milk.
It’s about all I can provide
along with many texts and calls.
We both consent, silently,
to hugs and kisses.
How illicit! Are you shocked
at our breach of social distance?
You shouldn’t be. Mom would
forgo milk a day or so longer.
The single cure I can offer is
for the only ailment
we have that matters.
We sit side by side on the couch
chatting about things: some
worldly, some news, but most
surrounding us daily, flowing,
the tide we float with or
swim against and have for years,
so many years.

Posted in clouds, covid19, Do the Work, family and friends, food, In the neighborhood, life around us, NaPoWriMo, Poetry and Lyrics, weather | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Other things seen today

Daffodils seem extra exuberant and much appreciated this year!

and then the hills, with clouds:

Posted in clouds, Do the Work, gardens and flowers, In the neighborhood, taking time to look, the creative process | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

NaPoWriMo – Day Eight

Rainy and sunny. Another spring in New England Day. Daffodils and cold. Like many, I’m having to work at the big question: what day is it?

Outside, it’s raining
and so I go, so
my whole face is wet.
My shoulders ache
they pull me over, down
and I am just —
I am the rain
bent over a cold ground.
Later when it clears
an hour or two to wonder,
why is this so hard,
why is this so beautiful?
Standing in the sky’s
presence with clouds,
In this gentle courtyard,
I ask my questions,
the ones at my feet.
The horizon whispers
what of tomorrow?

From the Quote Box:

I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by conscious endeavor. — Henry David Thoreau

Posted in clouds, covid19, Do the Work, From the Quote Box, life around us, NaPoWriMo, Poetry and Lyrics, taking time to look, the creative process, watercolor | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Sourdough Starter – Day Three

We have real bubbles! Phew.

Not that I was super worried, but I live in a very cool house so getting it going and happy takes some fiddling. Sunny afternoons are in my favor!

Posted in covid19, food, gratitude, the creative process | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment