Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Cleansing


Fuchsia
Originally uploaded by norvegal

I feel the need to wipe that last post away and start anew. Whoever stole the shawl deserves no more attention - except one day, I hope, from a patient therapist who can help unravel the brokenness that prompted him or her to do such a thing.

I've moved on.

It is now officially summer. The combination of TNNA, Knitter's Connection, and a terrifyingly close book deadline (still looming) have set me back several weeks in terms of the garden.

They say around here that you really shouldn't plant your garden until July 4th, and I never believe them. But this year I tried it, because I had no choice, and things are going gangbusters.

All sorts of lettuces, radishes and carrots and peppers and zucchinis and cucumbers and tomatoes and herbs and fresh peas and oh, my goodness, the strawberries. So many strawberries.


StrawberriesWhat an unspeakable luxury to be able to walk out one's door, stroll down a grassy path, and pluck fresh berries from your own soil -- and pop the still-warm-from-the-sun berries right into your mouth.

It's almost as exquisite as I imagine it must be to shear, wash, card, spin, knit, and wear the fibers from an animal you lovingly raised in your own field. Some day, perhaps.







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The peonies waited until I returned from TNNA to bloom, bless their giant sweet-smelling hearts.

These days it seems easier than ever to get drawn away from those things that make you happy. Sometimes it's just a matter of stopping for a moment and recalibrating your compass. A quick self-check tells me the following truths. Strawberries and peonies make me happy. Watching my cat sleep, relaxed and trusting in my presence, makes me happy. Yarn and fibers make me happy. Kindness and optimism and honesty make me happy. Organizations like this and this make me happy. Hearing my new baby nephew cry for the first time, just two weeks, ago made me very happy. And watching this guy renews my hope and also makes me happy.

What makes you happy?

9 comments:

Unknown said...

Your posts make me happy. And when they include your strawberries and peonies, it's icing on the happy cake.

XOXO

Dana S. Whitney said...

This post in particular made me happy. You have a giant sweet heart yourself.
Congratulations on the peonies and strawberries.

Bess said...

Hey! We both posted this week - at last. Mercury is going forward again. Yippee!

ZippyZinnia said...

Watching my seedlings pop through the soil and knowing they will be flowers of beauty. Knowing that we are not alone in this world.

PS..I didn't know there was a book deadline. Now I'm all excited!

Beanermom (aka Angie)

maxine said...

Second the notion that a new book from Clara will make me happy. Waking up each morning and drawing breath is my ultimate.

A helpful Hint...post a few more times and that previous undesirableness will scroll right off the page to archivedom.

Anonymous said...

your book makes me happy and the second even happier. book of yarn read several times is on my bedtable as i type! also, quiet kids at night make me happy, especially in summer!

Anonymous said...

What makes me happy? My wonderful children. Working with fibre, fabric and floss. Being in my garden with my peonies and roses...and seeing you in yours! The service and TLC you give with each newsletter and shop order.

Hugs,

Sue said...

OOO peonies. I love them too but I have too much heat to grow them. Thanks for sharing yours.

My pets keep me happy, along with my own garden and the thought of retreat.......

Marfa's Mewsings said...

Happy, you ask?
A breeze on a cool summer day, rain that waters the garden for me, time for knitting, time to read, time w/ my sweetheart sweet, a delicious fresh salad.
XOXO