Friday, October 29, 2010

The geese fly by my window

The geese fly by my window
over the wetlands
over the pink clouds
that sit softly on the horizon
they are large groups that instinctively form into 
the classic v formation
or sometimes a straight line 
of a mere four
They are a certain portender 
of things to come and
things to go 
the lovely autumn leaves
ablaze with colors like fire
will fall to be replaced with
the browns and grays of winter
It will get very quiet
very cold and very sad in those early days of November
when too many people I loved died
I will celebrate and remember
my mother, Junie
Paul and Steve's father Poppie
and my father, Timmy
I will not dread November
or be sad in November
as I once was
they would not want that
I will live for them
I will live with them in my heart
I will carry the love they gave me
into the world

Sunday, October 24, 2010

100 cards and the beauty of a real store

Last weekend when I went into The Concord Bookstore Jill looked at me, beaming, and said "We just sold you 100th card! " The Concord Bookstore has always been one of my favorite shops in town. It is also one of the few stores that has remained virtually unchanged and hasn't closed it's doors. I have lived in Concord for 25 years and the first to close in my time was the 5&10. When I was working in the old black and white darkroom at Anderson Photo, Kristen Anderson and I would eat lunch at the counter; the best blt's ever and a mound of french fries to die for. The waitresses were old and grumpy and at the same time wonderful and familiar. Other stores that have since closed are The Mary Curtis Shop, Open Market, Placewares, and The Harness Shop.
Now for the good news......stores that are significant to me and are still there. The Colonial Store, The Cheese Shop, The Pot Shop ( may have the name wrong) Artinians, The Toy Shop, Vanderhoofs and The Cambridge Trust and of course, The Concord Bookstore.
A few years ago I saw a bumper sticker that resonated for me and one I try to live by. It's simple and wise, " Think globally, shop locally." If we get all our books online or at big chains like Costco or Barnes and Noble how can independent stores like The Concord Bookstore survive? It's easy for me, I would rather flip through through a book, try on a nightie or get personal help with my finances than order online. Call me a luddite, it's ok with me but please consider my favorite bumper sticker and shop locally.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Why I Love Mornings

I love the quiet
the promise of another gloriously long day
stretching before me like a lazy cat
I love the light
how subtle it can be
or how crisp and cool it can be
with it's exacting shadows
geese fly by my window
a bunny hops tentatively from the black berry bushes
the clouds that hover on the horizon
give way to peaks of sunshine
there are things to be done
I do not care
all that matters in the first hour of this new morning
is coffee in my cozy pajamas
snuggling with my sweet pups
and watching the wind
as it makes the trees sway ever so gently
this morning has it's own rhythm
slow, slow, slow
hands wrapped in the warmth of my big mug
the first cup of coffee
the promise cup
sure is sweet.

Saturday, October 9, 2010

Day turns to night

On September 22nd at 6:28 pm I watched the sun set ever so slowly over Stage Harbor in Chatham. Like a last breath it slipped behind the trees leaving little mention of it's whereabouts.The sky faded to an unsensational palette of muted colors, the palest pinks and blues.
Behind me the setting sun reflected on the glass door of a house named " The Centaur". Glowing in a blaze of orange, pink and gold, the door looked like fire was dancing on it.
Then, as though that was not enough, in the eastern sky, the moon rose over The Monomoy Trap Company building. The stark beauty of it reminded me of an Andrew Wyeth painting.
The first day of fall, blustery, cold and utterly unsensational, gave quite a show as day turned to night.

Sunday, October 3, 2010

What I will miss when I die

My writing group, a brave band of five, has started up again with my friend and writing teacher, Barbara O'Neil. We meet every Wednesday at The Concord Library from 9:30 to 11:00 am. The writing practice is based on Natalie Goldberg's book "Writing Down the Bones" More details on the practice are in my post dated February 10th, 2010.
The prompt was " What I will miss when I die" This is the unedited version of what I wrote.
The feel of a warm kiss on my cheek.
hugs from my beloved boys
the green in peter's eyes
Alex's "hello beautiful" greeting over the phone
Teddy's soft fur
the smell of the ocean
the sun on my face
and the cry of a gull
poppies swaying in the breeze,
my camera
endless meanderings on my bike early in the morning
before most of the world has awoken
I will miss all of the beauty
and none of the ugliness
I will miss words
reading them
writing them
hearing them
I will miss snuggling up by the fireplace in winter
lighting candles for dinner
making soup
I will miss my husband
collecting stones
and wampum
and shells
picking up a roll of film
at the photo store
I will miss making art
writing notes
finding the perfect card for someone
I will miss color
and sherbet sunsets
and hours on the boat
I will miss the morning light in my bedroom and warm blankets on my skin
I will miss more than I know
more than I could ever imagine
and I vow not to waste
a minute of this precious life
this life that is a gift
my gift
every minute of it
life
it is a precious gift
I will not waste it.