Mr. Moon and I have worked outside all day long, he on the irrigation, me on picking up old downed branches and hauling them to the burn pile and trimming the Confederate jasmine. It's the sort of Sunday I really enjoy. It's not unlike picking up your house before you really begin to clean. I will get inside the garden tomorrow. I'm pretty sure about that. It's funny. I go about my gardening by a sort of internal clock. All of a sudden, I know it is time to get on my knees and and plant my seeds. And then there is little that can stop me.
And speaking of clocks- well- what do I need to say? According to the clock, it is 5:18 pm but of course I keep translating- well, it's really only 4:18, and so forth but frankly, I will be glad to go to sleep when the clock says 10:30, even if it is "really" only 9:30. I am exhausted already and have more to do before bed. Plenty more.
But I know this for sure- my chickens, instead of going to roost at 6:30, will head to the chicken coop at 7:30. They are not fooled, those wise birds of mine! The clock does not dominate their lives nor proscribe their actions. And it has been a lot of fun to watch their actions today as they've hunted and pecked and made dirt baths and rested in the shade and sunned themselves, too. I think Elvis got a little bit of sexy time with Miss Carol and that is sort of amazing- it's not like he doesn't have nine hens of his own. But, there you go, a rooster is a rooster.
But anyway, I went into the garden to tell Mr. Moon that I was DONE. DONE and EXHAUSTED from my labors and that I was going to try and tidy up the front porch and then that was that! Except of course to make supper and get the clothes off the line and put them away and wash the dishes and make his lunch for tomorrow and oh well, we all know about the third shift, don't we?
He was exhausted too, that man, and we both stretched out on the warm dirt of the garden and we gazed at the sky and sighed deep sighs of comfort, laying there in our overalls. I reached over for him and he took my hand. It was, well, it was what I was writing about this morning.
Isn't that what we want? Someone to hold our hand when we are tired and happy, laying on our backs and looking at the sky above us?
I don't know about you, but that's what I want.
And of course, because he's a man, he had to get up and pretend to get sexy with me, lying there on my back like a turtle. I giggled and said, "Are you going to put a bed in here?" He considered it. I suggested that a hammock would be nice. Of course it would be now but it no one would want to lie in a hammock in the garden in late June, much less August.
But still, it was a nice moment, considering that and the implications.
He laughed and said, "Can you turn the water on by the pump for me when you go in?"
I allowed as how I could but first I had to get up. "That would be my first problem," I said.
He grabbed my hands and sort of tugged-flung me upright so fast that I felt as if I had been hurtled into a new dimension, which made me laugh. I told him that and he said, "I'm a bit dizzy myself."
And isn't that a relationship? One minute you're in this world, and the next you're in that, the two of you dizzy and laughing.
I think I'll take him a beer. It's "really" only 4:30 but actually, it's 5:30. Or something. Whatever. We've worked hard today. It's been a good day. The clock says one thing, the chickens say another, agreeing with the sun. I say, whatever, and decide that like love, this random time shifting is mysterious and out of my control.
And that's okay with me. Right now, it's just fine.
We all have our internal clocks, we all have the external ones too. The lucky of us have love and chickens and warm black dirt and cube steak (very expensive cube steak!) marinating in milk.
That would be me.
And I would wish the same for you.
these are the best kind of Sundays, the kind where were are truly humbled in our 'labors' and in our love.
ReplyDeleteMarinating in milk? That must be so delicious, Ms. Moon. You need to share these recipes with us, every once in a while.
ReplyDeleteReading about the love between the two of you makes me feel so warm and cozy. I love it. I love that you still are crazy about each other after so many years together. Have a beautiful evening, Ms. Moon.
Yay for good days!
ReplyDeletexo
My best way to transition during the time changes is to stay super busy and away from clocks, that way when I do get a glimpse of a clock I really don't think about it because it's already after 8pm and I'm already tired and ready for bed.....and the kids don't get a nap on time change day. Which makes us all ready for bed.
ReplyDeleteI do the same thing, back and forth with time -- and I'll probably do it all day tomorrow, too! I love the image of you and Mr. Moon lying on your backs in your overalls, holding hands.
ReplyDeleteAnd cube steak -- yum. Can you post the recipe of how you prepare it?
Re. "The lucky of us have love and chickens and warm black dirt and cube steak (very expensive cube steak!) marinating in milk". I'm lucky enough to have a partner who loves animals (much more than humans), loves food, calls me 'Nigey', and makes me laugh at the most ridiculous things, like the fact that he had to buy chocolate for himself to eat so he didn't eat the chocolate I bought for us BOTH to eat. Though he doesn't like chickens. Mmm, is this a problem?
ReplyDeleteMaggie May- Yes. That is it.
ReplyDeleteAngie M- Recipes. I should do more, I suppose. I just don't use, uh, measurements. Which makes it hard.
Ms. Fleur- We all need 'em.
Rebecca- Yes. We must wear ourselves out. Which is sort of silly, but what else can you do?
Elizabeth- I could try.
Nigel- I think you can work around the "doesn't like chickens" thing. Sounds like it to me, anyway. Nigey. That's so sweet.
Hallo my dear girl. I'm checking in with you here because I don't seem to be able to respond to comments on my own blog yet, but can do so here. I've been thinking of you so much. Thanks for encouragement about the flowers, I'll most certainly keep you posted. That story about Lon and I, I'll give that some thought, I'd love to share it, though it would be in several chapters. :) I've been dying to see the fruits of your garden labors and the new fence! I can't wait for the gate painting, I know it's going to be so very special. Anyway, love you, hope to talk to you later this morning. Call when you can, I'm up and coffeenatin'. xo
ReplyDeleteBoth of these posts, The Script and Addendum, make my heart swell ~ I've read them both a couple of times ~ such a beautiful portrait of a long-term, loving relationship!
ReplyDeleteThis is the cutest post. And also, your new fence looks awesome.
ReplyDeleteLove you, my dear.
I love the image of you two lying in the dirt, holding hands.
ReplyDeleteL&L- Hey sweetie. We have talked and it was good! More garden work tonight. Peas planted and also (sigh) shallots. When are you coming over? I NEED my Lizzie!
ReplyDeleteLulumarie- Well, you know how it is- the tide comes in and the tide goes out. I think that when you get older, the basin is so deep that the tides aren't quite as disturbing.
Ms. Bastard- Mr. Moon can BUILD a fence. He is gifted that way.
Love you, too, my dear.
Ginger- It was mighty sweet.