15 May …
It is raining. The fresh touch being added to everything is great … BUT … there are things to get done and rain is making it difficult.
Oh well …
~~~
The meadow is full of shooting stars …
the tree by the drive entrance whose name I don’t recall of showing off …
and the fir tree tips are splendiferous …
~~~
Last monday there was a surprise food share in Weed at the Great Northern warehouse. Heather, the boss-lady for food programs, was offered an unexpected delivery of frozen whole chickens (I got 2), frozen beef round roasts, frozen pork chops, frozen salmon, frozen blueberries, oranges and orange juice, russet potatoes, peanut butter, black olives, canned pumpkin, and boxes of Q-tips.
Are you laughing at the Q-tips? I did. But they were snapped up quickly.
I had been told, by the new 20-year-old when I called to see what time they wanted volunteers to be there, that I wasn’t wanted. It hit me a bit hard. Not being wanted is a hurt when you’re older. But I decided to go down a bit early anyhow, just in case.
The sharing was to start at eleven. I got there at ten-thirty and there was already a line of nearly fifty people. Yes, I live in one of the lowest income counties in the state. So I got in line. But as I got up to sign-in, Heather said “Where have you been. I need help.” I had eaten a very light breakfast, figuring to have a good lunch, and wound up on my feet at the chicken and beef sharing station until a little after two. I came home pooped and so did a very simple salmon bake (using only half of the fillet) with tamari rice and a fruit salad for dinner.
Oh … I forgot to tell you my faux pas …
When I hurried to take up my station, I saw cartons of cans which said “Chicken Lovers” and “Gravy”. I thought it was canned chicken gravy and so was telling folks, as I gave them the frozen chickens, to look for the gravy to go with it.
WRONG !
I even brought home a carton anticipating roast chicken and mashed potatoes with gravy only to find out it was cat food.
Oh well …
Tyler has a cat, so it won’t be wasted.
There were some folks who looked homeless (this area has had a lot of transients lately) who just might have been glad to get those cans for themselves.
With rain today, I find myself hoping they have cover and are able to stay dry. This family is blessed. We have shelter and food and heat
including a deck of wood to be cut and split for next winter..
It turned out the olives weren’t pitted and Paul won’t eat them (picky kid) so later today I will pit them and make olive-tomato-herb spread for crackers.
Next scheduled share day is a week from today at the church and Heather said to be there early.
~~~
Taiko lessons are over for this school year so Paul and my taiko wednesdays have been changed to library fridays.
There is a chance the taiko teacher won’t be teaching next fall. Her husband has brain cancer and she’s burned out. There doesn’t seem to be anyone willing to take her place. The original taiko teachers are in their mid-70s now and don’t teach children any longer. It makes me sad since Paul likes the drum lessons so much.
I will continue to hope.
~~~
Back to spring before I close.
Paul came running in from a walk calling me to come see the Oregon grapes ablaze …
The apple tree is lovely …
The jump-ups that to me will always be my Daddy’s flowers are peeking …
The blue belly flowers are underfoot …
and creek lilies from higher up which George used to bring to me every Spring, but which have never had a place on Cold Comfort Farm, have established themselves not too far from the house.
Thank you, George.
the day I forget to love you
the day I forget your name
… and then my own …
I will turn in the center
of my intricate weave,
spelling your name in my dance …
your hidden name which
is simply, finally
Love.
~~~
So … ‘til next week …