It was sixty-five degrees and sunny here in the Mid-Ohio Valley yesterday. What a glorious day! Mr. FixIt piddled around on a project outdoors while I piddled around indoors. I knitted on the baby sweater and got one sleeve half finished. And finally, around 3:30 or so, we headed into town. Our son-in-law’s birthday was yesterday so we needed to stop and give him his gift. Then we went to the City Park and walked. It was the first time since last fall that I’ve gone out and walked for exercise. I was pleasantly surprised that my bones didn’t hurt all that bad. I’m hoping this new regimen I’m on will help me get out and exercise more so I can lose some weight and feel better.
There are flower beds all around the park and the first one we came to had crocus and snowdrops blooming! The park was filled with people walking and enjoying the warm, springy weather. Everyone was happy and we greeted each other like long lost friends. Red and grey squirrels scampered around in the leaves looking for errant acorns. There was one lone black squirrel…his inky color easy to spot from further away.
We came around the far side of the park and saw the high school baseball team out on the field preparing it for an evening game. Dust was flying as one young man pulled along a bar with chains, dragging it across the earth to smooth it. The sun was setting beyond the baseball diamond and the sky was dapple with fish scale clouds. It was just lovely.
We left the park and took the long way out through the outskirts of town. We followed a creek through rolling hills and horse farms. We were heading to my bonus son’s house. Our daughter-in-law also had a birthday yesterday. We had a small family gathering and we remarked how absolutely foreign it felt. We are all vaccinated and boosted so we felt comfortable enough being together. But I don’t think I’ll ever look at socializing the same again.
We drove through light rain showers on our way home and today isn’t supposed to get higher than the mid-forties. This is the time of year where each day presents a different season. It’s hard to know what to wear and indeed…you can be bundled like it’s winter in the morning and by the time 4:00 rolls around, you need a t-shirt. So, a cool day means there’s an open invitation to knit the day away sans guilt.
It was a beautiful day…the closest to normal as I’ve experienced in a very long time. It feels like breathing for the first time. Today, I am remembering my good friend Monica. We went to school together. Monica died in her sleep ten years ago today. Her husband still pines for her and mourns her loss like it was yesterday. Please keeps Steve and family in your thoughts and prayers today. And, of course…the courageous people of Ukraine.
??
“Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth.””
Hosea 6:3 ESV