Its very quiet here. My
husband who is a long haul truck driver is out "there" on the road. He's
headed from somewhere to some place. I can only hope and pray the
weather is good for his drive. My son, left this morning to go to a race
in Tennessee. For him, I hope that the rain stops and allows the race
to be run. That is a nice, long drive to only miss out on the event. The
cats are all curled up around the heater and the dog is outside
alternating between playing in the rain and curled up in her house on
the porch.
So
it is me, and sleeping critters. The only sounds in my house are my
typing, the hum of the heater behind me and a radio playing in another
part of the house. I can hear the rain falling outside when it gets
heavy enough. When the wind picks up a small sapling brushes against the
window near me. If it were dark, if I didn't know what it was, that
could be an eerie sound that would make me nervous. As it is, I know
what it is so I can ignore it.
Its
times like this that allow my mind free reign. It is now, when I can
allow thoughts and imagination to run wild, creating all manner of deep
thinking or crazed ideas to seep through or to come barreling through
like stampeding animals bent on getting where they are going in a hurry
no matter what may be in front of them.
With
it raining as it has been since early this morning I know the river
that is a mile from here has to be coming up. If the rain or other bad
weather that is a possibility keeps up, how high will it rise? And what
of the areas farther down river? How will they fare? In the area a mile
from here, along the way I travel to go to work, the worst it does now
is flood one section of the roadway meaning I would have to detour
taking longer for my drive. Down river there are homes and businesses
that are in danger. We have had a wild and bad winter this past season.
It had been predicted, but then they often are. This time however they
managed to hit it right and we have suffered. Even if we have not had to
endure the amount of snow that others areas have, we are unaccustomed
in this area to that drastic of a temperature change. If you are not
used to it, it is very difficult to handle. So here it is, mere days
away from Spring, and they are forecasting the possibility of a wintery
mix. The only thing I did in anticipation of that possibility is getting
more gas in my vehicle. I do realize that all of this rain is good for
the soil. I'm also very glad that I have yet to rake or cut up the
fallen leaves in my yard as they are helping the water to soak into the
ground rather than wash away more topsoil. Soon though I hope to get
that done and get flowers planted. I'm seriously missing the colors of
the flowers.
I
love having a yard full of flowers. Last year I was given a large
amount of flower bulbs and I'm seeing evidence of them coming up in that
corner where they were planted. I was also given a rose bush that I was
worried about until I saw that it was leaving out nicely. I do have a
lot of work that needs to be done in my yard. I simply have to get a
time to do it when it hasn't been raining and stuff is easier to clean
up and prepare. The flowers that I plant are the type that draws
butterfly and bees. No insecticide goes anywhere near my flowers. I do
have roses so I have to find something that will protect my roses and
not harm the bees. (any suggestions?) While I am trying to create an
area of Perennial flowers, there are some annuals that I have seen the
bees flock to so I make sure and purchase seeds and plants of that type
just for them. I've had to fence off that area of my yard as my German
Shepherd Dog can't decide if she's a carnivore or an herbivore. Last
year she not only dug up areas of my gardens, she pulled plants out of
the ground to carry them around, literally shaking them to pieces. So
now she is fenced out. I have plans on creating an oasis of sorts in
that space. Moving in a swing to watch the butterfly, bees and
hummingbirds. A birdbath for water, a feeder in the corner for wild
birds and pans set up for the butterfly to also get water. With all this
water soaking the ground it should be well ready for the upcoming
planting. I even look forward to the work that will be involved with
helping it turn out well. But what I really look forward to is
photographing the results and the visitors.
Speaking
of planting. I'm excited about my vegetable garden plans for this year.
I have an area of my yard that I have been planting but the sunlight is
limited there. Last year the cucumbers did amazing so I know I'll plant
them again. But there simply isn't enough sunlight there for my
tomatoes. I'm going to plant some in containers and put those inside the
oasis area along one of the end fences. I may try to have some
container plants along another fence but that is yet to be determined.
My son has already tilled up an area down at my folks place that does
get enough sunlight so there is probably where the bulk of the planting
will go. There is also a fence up for planting green beans and on the
other side of that I'll plant okra. My hope is to harvest enough to
enjoy and to can for next winter.
I
had hoped to get outside and make another video. I have two ideas and
stories to share. Both are true, both involve in part the same room in
this house. I want however to tell it from the outside and that isn't
happening in the rain. I also wanted to get out and photograph some of
what is blooming with raindrops on them. Unfortunately the rain never
slacked off enough for me to take my cameras out. Reports say that it
will still be raining tomorrow, so there is still the possibility of
getting those shots. Raindrops always add interest to the shots, but it
isn't worth getting soaked and sick over.
I
usually don't mind being alone. I can always find something to get
into. I can do some cleaning. I can enjoy some television if there is
anything worth watching on but their generally isn't. I can play online,
I can hike and hunt photography opportunities or I can write. There is
peace in being alone. You can calm down and ease any high stress levels
from what ever life has tossed at you. Taking long, hot showers or
bubble baths, listening to good music of your genre of choice. Sitting
down and reading a good book or sitting out in an oasis of flowers
watching the butterfly and listening to the hum of the bees working.
When weather permits sitting outside on the porch or out in the yard
throwing sticks for the dog is relaxing and enjoyable. Especially when
the dog shows off.
There
are times though that I wouldn't mind an old fashioned card or board
game. When the quiet does become too much there are options to change
the situation. I can go shopping, money permitting. I can go visiting
family, depending on the time of day. I can go to the walking track and
chat with those who are also taking advantage of the facility. I can
find ways, to help others.
Being
alone, doesn't always mean being lonely. It shouldn't be looked at as a
bad thing. Being alone offers up an endless multitude of opportunities
to be considered and explored. There's no fighting over the remote or if
the volume is too loud. You can decide exactly what to watch or hear.
There's no fighting over that last brownie. Being alone, doesn't have to
be a problem...as long as you don't allow it to be one. Don't hide
away from the world. It doesn't go away, it will be there when you step
out of hiding. Don't avoid the world, it doesn't change the situation
that you don't care for. Don't set yourself back to the side and watch
hoping that the world will notice and draw you forward. Because then you
wonder if it was because you are liked and capable, or if the world
simply felt sorry for you. Step up, believe..and appreciate every
moment..the ones noisy, loud and crowded.. and the quiet ones that give
you a time just for yourself.
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