above you below me

I’ve been listening to this song quite a bit lately. And reading Huckleberry Finn. And being with friends. And thinking about friends. And smoking pipes by the river. And thinking about making pipes. And watching buds bloom. And wondering what story I want to write next.

Thank you for reading, you kind, wonderful people.

It’s been so sunny and colourful these days.

On the sidewalk that led me to work, fifty-nine cock-eyed squares were scribbled in sidewalk chalk.

Sitting on the couch for a moment, feeling glad as my husband cooks Saturday night dinner.

If I wrote one small story today, it would contain:

-worn paths
-little birds
-the smell of potting soil
-skirts threatened by wild winds
-dancing curtains
-friendly ducks
-homemade jam
-jars of crocuses on weathered porch steps
-the library
-dandelion wine
-dusty books
-open windows
-chirping sounds

If you wrote one small story today, what would it contain?

Your destiny is safe with me.
Your childhood is safe with me.
What you decide to bury is safe with me.

-Li-Young Lee
This has also been a spring of thinking, reading, praying, and crying with people I love. I’ve been learning a lot through it all, though I’m not sure just what, yet.

Two things I am sure of:

I am sure we are always safe with God. Our destiny, our childhood, what we chose to bury, all of it.

I want to be a safe place, too.

(Where do you feel safe?)

My friends, spring has sprung. Birdsong is drifting through the open windows, while Eliot stares out, mystified, cackling back to them (I think he’s trying to chirp, but he sounds more like a raccoon than a blackbird). It’s so lovely.

With spring, of course, comes change, and a lot of things have been going on, here, in our little apartment. Small things, perhaps, but they’re big, too, in a way.

1. We signed a lease for a different apartment next year. Moving is a normal part of a renter’s existence in Madison, but it’s still exciting to me. This particular apartment will be the priciest place I’ve lived, but there are two things I am really thrilled about: a wood-burning fireplace and a second bedroom. I love being able to be generous in that way, to let people stay a while or live with us. And if it doesn’t get used that way? I’m quite happy to have an office.

2. I’ve taken to reading the Chronicles of Narnia again. It’s wonderful food for the imagination, and I find myself wondering things like what that crocus is thinking.

3. Spring cleaning is under way. Because as much as excited as I am to be moving, I want to appreciate our last months in our apartment to the fullest.

4. I’m reminded that I am, in many ways a country girl at heart, so I’ve taken to learning and enjoying nature every way I can in this city. Taking a cue from Linnea’s Almanac (a gift from an aunt many years ago) I am identifying birds and trees and planting any small thing I can find. It turns out, feeling connected to nature isn’t as hard in an urban existence as I thought. In fact, it’s really fun. More on this later, to be sure.

There are many more things than these, I am sure. Quieter things. But for now, I just want to get off the computer and watch the birds with Eliot.

How has spring sprung for you?