Monday Morning Rambles

In those vernal seasons of the year, when the
air is calm and pleasant, it were an injury and sullenness against Nature not to go out and see her riches, and partake in her rejoicing with heaven and earth. --John Milton

 Good morning on this rainy, cool Monday morn. Wish I could say that Spring had really arrived, but it is definitely in the air.  The Winter chill has decided to hold on a bit longer, but that's okay.  The forsythia will be blooming soon enough.   Now it is a completely new season for our earth and for our self, a time of new beginnings and second chances.  Had a great day yesterday-- albeit a rather noisy one.

Yesterday was Purim, one of the noisier of the Jewish holidays, and , I found that by early evening, I could not take any more of the noise; thankfully at sundown it ended. It had begun at sunset on Saturday and continued through sunset on Sunday.  Purim marks the Jewish people's deliverance from a royal death decree as told in the Book of Esther.  It is a custom for some, especially the children, to dress up in costumes. During the reading of the Megillah, (Scroll of Esther) when Haman's name is said, people jeer and make noises with Purim noisemakers or gift baskets, to friends and loved ones, and to make special donations to the poor. It is also traditional to hand out food baskets or food gifts.  

All and all, the streets and sidewalks were packed with people, and it looked like loads of fun, but the one part of the festivities I found so difficult to deal with is the cars and vans that drive around the blocks blasting, and I mean BLASTING, this scratchy music from a speaker that has seen better days....as well as the doorbell being rung pretty much throughout the day  and the car horns as children stop cars to collect donations for the poor.  One thing I have learned in the 12 years I lived here is Do not try to take a nap on Purim.  Please, for any Jewish readers, I don't mean to offend, but I really see no sense in all of these noisy cars because, from what I see, no one seems to be paying attention to it to begin with.  I'm wondering if this stems from the olden times when wandering minstrels used to wander the streets on this day.

Later, when all quieted down, and after hubby and I had our evening meal, I bundled myself up and went outside into the backyard.  It was so still and quiet; the air was cool, crisp, and fresh. I felt so good as I simply closed my eyes and breathed deeply of the refreshing air, reflecting on what I hope to accomplish during this new time of the year.   What is it that I really want to do?  And what is it that I no longer have room for in my life?   I do know that I want to learn more about the Norse and the Vikings who were also a part of my ancestry.  And, I hope to find more peace in my job by letting go of the negative energies that I have allowed to break through my barriers.  It is time to create a shield between myself and all those feelings that can be found there.

Spring is such a youthful season, and, at this time of year,  I always find myself remember the Springtime of my youth, of the awe and wonder I felt as a youngster watching the world come alive around me. It was such a magical time.  I smiled as I pictured myself racing down the hill of my grandmother's yard and being chased by the chickens as I reached the bottom.   I always felt safe when I was in my grandmother's garden. It was clearly a place of refuge, it was home.  I remembered rolling about in the grass staring up at cloud spotted blue skies....helping grandma as she planted her seeds.

I've also decided that I want to try my hand at gardening again.  I once had the most magical garden, but alas have been unable to replicate it here.  Perhaps there is just too much always going on here. Kids running in and out of the yard to retrieve their balls do not exactly accommodate the growth of a garden.  Needless to say, I am not about to invest all the time and money I did the first few years I was here for it was all in vain, but I would like to try my hand at some container gardening on my back porch.  It would be nice to grow some herbs and flowers.  Perhaps I will.

May you all have a wonderful day.

Putting In the Seed

You come to fetch me from my work to-night
When supper's on the table, and we'll see
If I can leave off burying the white
Soft petals fallen from the apple tree. 
(Soft petals, yes, but not so barren quite,
Mingled with these, smooth bean and wrinkled pea;)
And go along with you ere you lose sight
Of what you came for and become like me, 
Slave to a springtime passion for the earth.
How love burns through the Putting in the Seed
On through the watching for that early birth
When, just as the soil tarnishes with weed,  
The sturdy seedling with arched body comes 
Shouldering its way and shedding the earth crumbs.

 Robert Frost