Do You Ever....

Do you ever have those moments in life that are symbolic of a whole era?

For example....in my highly romantic late teens/early twenties I often read poetry.
In a bubble bath.
By candlelight.
Once, I splashed upon an amazing poem while soaking in my parents home. I began reading it aloud. I was so caught up in it's imagery and beauty that I was shocked back to earth by a knock on the door. I was also shocked by the fact that I was standing naked, dripping wet, on top of the toilet. Beauty transports and transcends apparently. I rallied only enough to murmur, "Yes?"
My dad's voice, "Is everything okay?"
"Yes."

That moment symbolized a whole stage of my life that was impulsive and lyrical and sweet. And I recognized it for what it was and tucked it away to remember always.

And so today, again, a moment packed with symbolism. An era defined in 5 minutes.

My day was a battle, and like a pro I attacked whatever came at me with enthusiasm, barely identifying it before laying it low. Mondays are kinda like that, only the fittest make it to Tuesday unscathed.

So I was down to my hour of afternoon-school with Rowan and Rose. I lit into Bible and geography and impoverished people groups. No problems, no tears. Moving onto science. Alright, an experiment comparing the saliva of Rowan and his dog. Okay, wooden collection thingy in one hand Petri dish in the other.
"Open up Rowan."
Done. Troop outside to find Gypsy.
Gypsy?
We head down to Mom's, thinking maybe she got out of the gate down there. We march down the street onto the sidewalk of a busy road calling for the dog.
At that moment it was as if someone knocked on the door.
I took inventory.
I had on yoga pants and perhaps an apron. I had nothing on my face except a thick layer of aloe vera and my glasses. I was walking up a busy street carrying a Petri dish in one hand and a wooden collection thingy in the other. I was followed by several children.
Mad scientist?
Pied Piper leading with a Petri dish?
Escaped home-school mom?
All of the above?

And I recognized it for what it was. A moment that defines my life right now. Leading, yelling, laughing. Looking for something I can't find. Holding something hilarious in my hands.
I tucked it away to remember always.

I went home and put on make-up and a neighbor brought Gypsy home.
I met Gyp on the porch with a wooden collection thingy in my hand.
I annihilated the science experiment with a deft swipe and went in to brown the beef.

Playing Country

When Dave and I were first married I used to sing while I flipped his pancakes in the morning.
It was a little ditty that went something like this:

"Well I've got me a fine wife,
I've got an old fiddle,
When the sun's comin up I've got cakes on the griddle,
Life ain't nothin but a funny, funny riddle,
Thank God I'm a country girl"

It was supposed to be "country boy" but that obviously didn't work in soprano.
We lived in a one bedroom apartment in a big city at the time, but I had a good imagination and overalls were in style.

The ditty turned out to be prophetic.
When we're up at the cottage, harvesting pears, hauling firewood, eating outdoors on the island, I really feel like a country girl raising a family of bumpkins.

Note my muck boots, that I love like kin.

 

 

We came back home from a beautiful weekend of outside living and we got to work. There was school and laundry to be done. I had applesauce to can and pears to slice and dry. But as I worked, I smiled, because I heard Rosy singing.........

 

"Thank God I'm a country girl!"

 

I wonder when overalls are going to come back in style?

 

 

PS You'd know I'm not really a country girl if you went inside the cottage. Country is great, as long as it doesn't interfere with my decorating.