Friday night's poetry reading with Donald Hall was wonderful. I love that man's poetry, spirit and sense of humor. I had no idea how much I loved him until I sat in his presence and listened to many of his poems. His late wife, Jane Kenyon, is my favorite poet. Her poem below reminds me of what happiness is in my life, what little I need to be content and at peace. And it reminds me that today is what we have -- honor it.
Otherwise
Jane Kenyon
I got out of bed
on two strong legs.
It might have been
otherwise. I ate
cereal, sweet
milk, ripe, flawless
peach. It might
have been otherwise.
I took the dog uphill
to the birch wood.
All morning I did
the work I love.
At noon I lay down
with my mate. It might
have been otherwise.
We ate dinner together
at a table with silver
candlesticks. It might
have been otherwise.
I slept in a bed
in a room with paintings
on the walls, and
planned another day
just like this day.
But one day, I know,
it will be otherwise.
Jim continues to plan the greenhouses and the rest (all of which excites me infinitely) and we bounce ideas and dreams off one another. Last night, after he got home from work, we went down to the sap house and the "reception" hall (gotta give it a kinder name) and to the sound of a hard rain on a metal roof and with the red pine standing tall around us, we practiced Yoga together -- facing one another. (I will bring some candles down there for the next and many next times.) I love him for so many different reasons, and among the many in those moments, I loved him for saying, "We should do this every morning of our road trip before getting in the car." Perfect. I agree. Sometimes I get so excited. And I believe there will be days, many of them I hope, where all day, I do the work I love. Work in the woods, in the earth, around the animals, on the snow, in the mist -- all beside and when not literally beside, figuratively beside, Jim.
The early morning is my favorite time. I feel like I am getting such a bonus when I am up so much earlier than the rest of the world. And walking to the barn in the early morning is my favorite ritual. It is a walk mixed perfectly with indulgence (I am outside and walking) and part purpose (the horses must be fed). I love the knicker as I approach and the curious eyes and the sniffing nose that exhales more deeply than it inhales. This was Saturday morning, before Jim and I hiked Speckled together.
And this is from the top of Mount Zircon on Sunday. That's Old Speck and East and West Bald Pate waaay in the background from left to right. I hiked this one with just Luna. An amazing day -- clear -- White Mountain vistas -- pure Springtime perfection.
Then from the mountain, back to pick up road sodas and Jim. The back way all the way to my parents house -- mud and all -- and a beautiful afternoon outside visiting and enjoying the views -- right to an amazing dinner. Seafood Lasagna with lobster and crab and clams and asparagus and Brie cheese and yum. Rum Cake to finish it all off -- amazing meal. (Thanks mom and dad!!) What an excellent end to a weekend that begins vacation.
4/20 morning was spent on little Sugarloaf in Dixfield and then in the car running to Skow-Vegas, then to Alison's. She just had surgery and so was recovering and going crazy with boredom at the same time. A visit was in order -- on many levels. We spent the afternoon on the deck -- talking and visiting and dreaming up gardens and farms and adventures that will all come in not too long. Love her to pieces. Can't wait until she is 100%.
From there, mist and moist. Saddle cleaning, water trough cleaning, shaving fetching, feet picking, farrier hunting, grain getting, Wayne conversating, big trip plannin', Grampa chatting and this morning, book reading to prepare for the next educational venture: A Trail to Every Classroom workshop series. I head to Woodstock, VT on May 15th. Satisfied sigh.
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