Friday, April 5, 2024

Good News And A Peaceful Decision


Here we have a picture of what crocosmia can do in one season, even after being pulled repeatedly. Time to get on it again. 

Another day of spectacular beauty. I just can't get my eyes off the sky and the trees as they open more fully and become darker green every day. Every minute! It's been another cloudless, cooler day of perfection and I can't remember another spring this splendid. It may just be that every year that I get older, the more I appreciate the smallest things and can see the beauty around me more fully. I don't know. But I do know that I feel almost drunk on blue sky and green trees and chinaberry blossoms so high up in the air that they give me a reason to look up again and again and again. 
As if I needed another. 
I watched a crow fly from the middle of the back yard through the cleared area to the old barn this afternoon, his black wings glistening in all this sun, and my heart sped with him. 
I have often wondered if people start becoming really interested in birds as they get older because the freedom of flight that birds represent so colorfully and melodiously is a sort of tangible reminder of the ease and grace in movement that we used to enjoy so unconsciously. 
Perhaps. Perhaps not. 

It has been a happy day here. Yesterday Mr. Moon and Lily went to look at another house with the realtor and both of them felt strongly that this was The House. When Glen got home from the appointment, he said, "Well, I just did something I've never done in my life. I've made an offer at full asking price right after seeing something."
And before nine last night, the offer had been accepted. 
Of course a problem could arise but for now, it all looks very good. The house is neither old nor brand new and it is a practical house that will be fairly easy to maintain and will withstand the demands of two women and three children. There's a good yard, fenced in for the dogs, a newish roof, a new HVAC, and it's on a cul-de-sac in a sweet little neighborhood less than a mile away from where we lived before we moved here. It's in the same general vicinity as Jason's house and close to the kids' schools and Lily's work. When we lived nearby, I used to sometimes walk in that neighborhood and it seemed quiet and peaceful. I am sure there will be other kids for the children to be friends with, and I hope with all of my heart that they will be so happy there. The street they will be living on is "Lover's Court."
May it be so. 

Mr. Moon is incredibly relieved. He has been so anxious to find a place for Lily and her family to live. His spirits lifted as profoundly as the sky changing from a solid curtain of gray to clear, open sunlight. And that makes me as happy as anything. I often think of an evening when Mr. Moon and I first started courting. I mean, early days. First week. He sort of invited himself to my house for a party/nursing school assignment at my house (long story, and a good one) and as I watched him pull up and park in front of my house and walk across my yard with those ridiculously long legs of his, I told my professor who was there and who was more friend than professor, "That man is going to ask me to marry him."
I've told this story before but it still gives me pleasure and pause to think of it. 
And although I would say that I had no idea that this was a boy who would so very quickly turn into a man who was dedicated with all of his being to taking care of our children and eventually, our grandchildren, there must have been something in him that I recognized as pure good. 

And now he's off to spend the night in Lanark Village, right across from Dog Island with his good friend and fishing buddy Allen and his wife, and tomorrow he and Allen will go over to the island in Allen's boat and get the tools and things he needs to bring home and he will also be helping Allen fix his boat trailer.
And I am not going. 
I am completely at peace with this decision. Glen said that he'd do some video chatting with me to show me different parts of the house so that I can make sure I'm asking him to bring home the things I want. In a way, it feels right that the last time I was there, I left without knowing it would be the last time. I have such visceral memories that I really don't think I need to say good-bye to it in person. And the house is in a state of chaos because Glen and Chip were in the process of redoing the flooring so there's that, too. 
I will admit that I am afraid of being triggered by being there. It's funny how different things trigger different people. I can read about survivors of sexual abuse and be okay but if you put me in an actual environment where I had deeply emotional experiences, I am filled with it all. And when I say "triggered," I mean- things are going to be bad for at least a few days if not weeks. I know this about myself. And my husband knows it too. He has not pushed me to visit the island again and I love him for that. 
And for so many other things. 

So here we are. Friday night. Clean, line-dried sheets! Jack accompanied me today as I pinned up the laundry. 


Not a good picture but he made me laugh, trying to play with the dancing shadows the sheets made in the breeze. 

My beans are already attaching themselves to the fence. 


The carrots are finally gaining some girth. 


And the roses are showing their pretty faces to the sun. 




I can hear the drumming from the church next door as Friday services begin. A sort of heartbeat for this tiny part of Lloyd. 

I'm going to go cook some scallops.

Happy Friday, y'all. 

Love...Ms. Moon


23 comments:

  1. Happy Friday to you, Mary! It sounds like a lovely day you've had.

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  2. Another beautiful day to enjoy. What a great idea to do a video chat goodbye to Dog Island at a safe remove. That white rose with the spot of pink is so beautiful. Do a lot of the petals have a faint pink blush at the tips?

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    1. No. It's a rare one on that bush that has any pink at all. That rose and the red and pink ones I showed the other day were here when we moved in but we did transplant the white one as it was not in a good place. It's right beside the garden gate now.

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  3. Gorgeous! Happy! I love looking at the blue sky with you and the flying crow. As though there is nothing else on this earth- gentle bliss...I'll take it! Thank you!

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  4. I do hope nothing goes wrong and Lily gets to move in and settle with Lauren and the kids. I have grown carrots in the past that got feathery green tops almost a foot long, but still no actual carrot underneath, or maybe just baby sized carrots. So disappointing. But I've grown green beans in the past and always had enough to freeze and see us through the seasons.

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    1. I always say that the variety of green beans I plant has only one fault- it won't quit making beans! By the end of the summer I have bean exhaustion. But I love them.

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  5. What a glorious post. Lots of good news. I love the romance of the early days with Mr. Moon and the romance that continues.

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    1. I swear, Mitchell- in almost all regards Glen and I are as different as two humans can be and sometimes I look at us and think- how the HELL did that happen? And yet, I am so glad it did. We are alike in the things that really matter and we have had and seem to continue to have, a very fine romance.

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  6. This is the most optimistic you've been in a while. So many things going well, and lovely flowers, too. Great decision to stay home and see pictures,too.

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    1. Yep! The Facetime call worked nicely! And I was able to say goodbye to the house from a distance.

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  7. What a wonderful post! I love your appreciation for everything today.
    JanF

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    1. The days when everything around me delights me are the best days.

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  8. It would be so hard to let go of a place with such wonderful memories, but neccessary as well. I'm glad you can see it virtually one more time, without having to make the trip.
    Wondeful news for Lily and Lauren and a big weight off your shoulders I'm sure. We always want our children to be safe and settled, no matter their age.
    Your flowers are gorgeous. Sigh. We had snow again yesterday.

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    1. It was good to see the house via FaceTime. It did not hurt my heart.
      It is a huge relief to know that Lily's family will have a nice, safe place to call home. And yes, it's what we parents want for our babies.
      Snow again? You poor thing.

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  9. Those carrots are quite impressive! I totally respect your decision not to go back to Dog Island and I think the video chat is a perfect solution. It's great that Lily's housing situation is sorted out, too. What a relief!

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    1. Those carrots were pretty big. I imagine there's more where those came from.
      I think Lily's new house is going to suit them fine.

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  10. What an uplifting post. I wish we had your weather; the constant rain and wind here has me (just about...) at breaking point! But this too will pass... as they say

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    1. Yes, and this too shall pass for us as applies to weather and soon we will be living in an oven-like atmosphere and I'll be complaining like hell. Just wait and see.

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  11. This post was a big sigh of relief and happiness, Mary. So glad for Lily and wish them the best in their new home.

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  12. 37paddington: such wonderful news about the house! Lovers Court!

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