Spring? I don't think so! A taster perhaps.

I have had pneumonia and bronchitis. Been bored to death in bed.

Yesterday I heard the large warty toad who lives under the large pot that serves as my courtyard fishpond give an experimental croak or two.

I knew what stirred him from his winter slumber - slightly warmer weather and an rapid increase in humidity. Sure enough the humidity level stood at 58% when only days ago it was 23%. His skin and whole body was giving him the message that it is spring. Nice as that thought is, I don't think so. It will get cold again before true spring arrives. All two days of it. Then it will be summer. Yay.

I thought about how easily I fall into despair if  I think something is over or healed only to have it come back again. Grief. Sadness. Anger. And the like. Yet sometimes perhaps what I felt was only a taster. A snifter of spring. A promise of what will come. With promises of summer beyond that. Perhaps now I am just experienced enough to be able to enjoy the 'warmer" weather, without dreading winter's inevitable last fling.

Now there's a thought to make me smile.

Growing up

My sons are out today.

Both surfaced early, Vetboy to go and assist with a dressage show and Small to go and referee. I expect neither home till later this evening when they will appear full of stories of their day and starving hungry. I have prepared for the hunger on a cold winters night with macaroni cheese and rice pudding with stewed fruit. I look forward to their return and their stories.

I have also looked after a friends two year old, "King Julian" of Madagascar fame, this afternoon. I forget surprisingly easily how active toddlers are. King Julian and I did have so much fun and had toys strewn across the kitchen/library by the time we were finished playing. For both of us it was a fun laughter filled afternoon and for his young mother hopefully welcome healing space for herself.

Now that he is gone home giggling with his mother and my kitchen/library restored to rights I reflect how quickly children grow, from baby to toddler to independent youngsters. They grow by the Grace of God, and I have been blessed to participate with food and attention and love.