I have been visiting in blogland - lovely exotic spots and old familiar places, where I can catch up on what friends are doing and thinking and saying. 

It occurs to me that I might write a post.   It's time!

I consider how I am filling my days.

There are the books I am reading, and the loom in the back room that lures me intlo winding a bobbin with lengths of old silk blouses, cut into brilliant slippery weft,  covering the warp with whatever comes to hand and in whatever manner I unconsciously choose the colours that fill the bobbin, - a lovely mindless activity that leaves my mind free to wander, and when I have finished a session it is a surprise to see what I have woven, and how the monet colours blend together.  I have almost finished the first little mat, and will go on to another in shades of green that will perhaps encourage spring to visit.

There are wonderful daffodils and tulips in the garden, and I must go out in the rain in the morning and gather an armful to take to the church, where we are catering to a 'Retreat' tomorrow.  Tonight I made pastry and lined two large quiche dishes to make a Lorraine and a nice mixed seafood quiche, to take along with some ham.

About the books, - I have just got from the library 'The Unbearable Lightness of Being' by Milan Kundera - a book referred to by Edmund Sherman in his book on Contemplative Aging.  That was a library book too, but I sent to Chapters for my own copy because there were just so many comments I wanted to pencil in about what I was reading, and that habit is somewhat frowned on in Libraries.....

I am quite ambialent about 'contemplative aging' - I see the benefits, but on the other hand too much contemplation is liable to lead to melancholy, for which a good busy day is the only antidote, I think  -  or a lovely chat with old friends, or a shopping day.  Or a day spent cleaning the house!!!  Orin the garden.....

I planted potatoes in a tricky orange plastic bag, with a little door at the bottom to retrieve the new spuds when (if) the seed potatoes produce results.  And I put a big pot of yellow pansies by the back door, hoping they would inspire the sun to shine!  Some of the peonies are sporting large, fat buds, and the rhubarb is reaching its ruby red stems up the little barrel I put over the plant to force enough stalks for a pie.

When I went in to make the bed the other morning I passed by the open window and the fragrance of the violets that grow along the fence line, under the window, made me stop and close my eyes and take deep breaths and think how lovely life is and how terribly important it is to hold close each day and squeeze every last bit of happiness from it.  I have lost two old and dear friends this week. 

I think about the continum of the years and the happiness they contain and plan another day!

It hasn't been grey and miserable every day, and we really have had some beautiful signs of spring.