The City Farmgirl

On Not Being Heady

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 09:33:24 0000

“Heady” is one of those words we read in literature, but don’t really use.

But I did this morning. For the first time in my life, I used the word “heady.” I used it in my head anyway. It popped into my head when I woke up and headed downstairs.

I stepped into my kitchen-keeping room and was greeted by the “heady” aroma of sweet spring flowers. Such an intoxicating, strong, happy, invigorating smell. “Heady!” I suddenly knew exactly what the poets mean. And I also knew that “heady” was the ideal, perfect word for these spring blossoms in my house.

As the coffee brewed, the coffee smell overtook the heady sweet flowery one. (The coffee smell, by the way, is not heady; it is something else altogether; a discussion for another day.) As I waited for my first cuppa Joe, I took note of the various blooms around me.

Jars filled with freshly-picked daffodils on the table.

Shades of Blue

Mon, 1 Mar 2010 07:52:27 0000

And the winner is:

VALARIE in California!!!! Congratulations! Email me!

Mine are green. I say “hazel” when I’m called upon to classify them. Like on my driver’s license. I now know that I’ve been wrong all these years. “Hazel” eyes are green-brown. Mine are green-blue. Totally not hazel then. As it turns out, there’s no special name for green-blue eyes. I wonder if I could start using “teal”? ‘Tis my name afterall.

My father’s eyes are the bluest-blue. And they twinkle. I always wished I had his blue eyes. Not because I wanted blue eyes particularly; I just wanted to match him.

His are so blue and oh so sparkly. You see lots of blue eyes, but not many have that special twinkle. I have a feeling the twinkle comes from the inside. Yes, if I had to guess, I’d say my father’s eye twinkle comes from inner happiness. And peace. And hope. He’s like that. I guess I have a chance to share his twinkle, then. When I accomplish all that inner bliss stuff.

Gone Hunting

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 07:27:16 0000

The less I write, the harder it is. Way back when---when I posted three times a week on this blog---the posts just flew right out of my finger tips. Whoosh. I'd noisily pound all over the keyboard and voila! It was done.

But as other responsibilities have taken over, my time devoted to creativity and writing has lessened. Now I write a blog post here only every other week, and my fingers are no longer flying over the keyboard. No pounding. No whooshing. I just sit and stare at the screen. Every once in a while a soft, slow…click, click.

I think the biggest reason that it is harder now is because I’ve got so much to talk about. I mean, a bunch of things have happened since I last visited with you. I’ve started new projects; ideas have been brewing; I’ve tried lots of new recipes; things are happening! Of all that---what should I make the subject of this post? Which one is the most interesting? Which one do I have the best pictures for? So much pressure! So I sit here and stare at the screen. Hmmm….

Okay, here’s the deal. I’m just going with whatever pops in my head. Not the best. Not the most interesting. Not planned.

Just *pop.*

Oh no, oh dear, so sorry, oh my goodness...

Chasing Joy

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 13:27:45 0000

I've CHASED a lot of different things in my life. Haven't you?

What have you spent time and effort and energy CHASING in the past? What are you CHASING lately?

Always Remember: Life is A....

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 06:55:17 0000

....what? What do you say life is?

For me? "Party."

That's what I always say. "Life is a party, so dance." I've been saying that for years now.

Yet I'm actually much better at saying it than I am at living it. I need to work on that this year.

Emerson has a quote I like, “Write it on your heart that every day is the best day of the year.”

The Good in 2009

Mon, 4 Jan 2010 08:32:47 0000

Twenty-Ten is here! A new year has dawned. A new year to work out and work on our dreams. A new year of possibilities. A new year of learning and growing. A year to do better. Yes, this is the year that I’ll finally------hmmmm------what?

How about you, this is the year that you’ll finally------hmmm------what?

Ah, wait.

Angels and Kismet

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 08:53:21 0000

I’m feeling the magic of the season. There are only a few presents under the tree; and yep, the decorations are indeed sparse; but it doesn’t matter. The magic is in the air. It’s all around us.

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas...

We don't have snow, but frost covers everything. It gives a sparkly, magical, shiny splendor to decks and car windshields and lawns and rooftops and bushes...

It Came Without Ribbons

Mon, 7 Dec 2009 08:54:53 0000

“It came without ribbons! It came without tags! It came without packages, boxes, or bags!” Can you name who said that?

How do you do it? How do you make this holiday season a "simple" one? Is there such a thing as a "simple" Christmas any more?

I'm working on this concept. It’s a week into December and I haven’t jumped into/onto the Christmas hoopla. I’m working on defining what “simple” Christmas means to me. It's coming down to being one without over-the-top decorating, too much present buying, too many parties, or the overwhelming rush, rush, rush.

Turkey Mojo

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:05:34 0000

Tripp died. I really thought she would make it, but she didn't.

I’m working my way through the grieving process. For those who think grieving over a pet is foolish, well, I guess I’m just a fool. A big one. We lost Elvis three months ago and now Tripp. The house is getting mighty empty.

“Nothing on earth can make up for the loss of one who has loved you.” Selma Lagerlof.

I’m in the “what’s it all about, Alfie?” phase. And I’m afraid I’ve lost my mojo.

I’m not even certain what mojo is, but I feel sure I’ve lost mine. I mean, I know the Austin Powers use of the term, but not the universal definition. Hold on just a minute…I’ll be right back…

Getting Corny for Thanksgiving

Mon, 9 Nov 2009 13:02:11 0000

When you’re right, you’re right. And you, my dear friends, are right. We are losing Thanksgiving; I didn’t realize it until I got your comments and emails.

What can we do?

I say let’s pool our ideas and come up with a plan. A plan to save Thanksgiving.