Ever since that cozy little house led to a blog back on May 2nd, cottages have been on my mind.

I was thinking today about thatched roofs.  In photographs, paintings, and movies, cottages with thatched roofs project a greater coziness than compact homes capped with slate or fiberglass shingles. I couldn't quite put my finger on why, until.....

It occurred to me that those thick roofs with rounded corners resemble a fluffy down comforter. And like a comforter, a thatched roof is an invitation to slip into a cozy cocoon.

I have the sense that I can count on a thatched roof cottage to offer a toasty fireplace, furniture I can sink into, and a pantry filled with home-canned foods. Calm will be encouraged by not-too-bright lights, pets curled into corners, and music spewing quietly from a refurbished Victrola.

In short, a thatched roof calls out peace and contentment.

Winning Team

It's that time of year when gardeners dig holes in the ground, drop in seeds, cover them with dirt....and wait for something to happen.

Sort of like the funerals of humankind, only once we've planted a member of our species we don't get to witness the blossom.

Unless we accept that some part of the person who left us now resides in us and nourishes our own growth. In which case when we look in the mirror, we witness the miracle of life sustained by more than one spirit.

So the next time you feel you're facing a life challenge alone, study your reflection and allow yourself to recognize you are actually a team and as a team you will win.

Elder Pair

It was the seemingly uncertain shuffle in the woman's walk that caused me to wonder if all was okay.

My concern grew when I got got close enough to ascertain the age of the woman.  Though wrapped in an over-sized fleece jacket and knit hat, it was evident she was elderly.

Perhaps as old in human years as the dog at her feet was in dog years.

It turned out the arthritic dog was the reason for the woman's shuffle. The knock kneed, sway hipped animal could barely manage the effort of putting one paw in front of the other. The woman was forced into a scuffing walk just to avoid running her pet down.

No doubt it was uncharitable of me, but I found myself wondering which of the pair would collapse first.

In the end, realizing the sun was moving across sky faster than the elder pair were moving down the road, I left them to their own devices in the hopes that all would turn out well.

Marking the Journey

It sometimes takes a baby to remind us that our lives are full of accomplishments.

So often we develop tunnel vision in moving toward an objective designed to ensure we will make an impact on the world. We berate ourselves for missed deadlines, missed opportunities, and lapses in energy. We mentally review, edit, and second guess what we might have done better... all the while overlooking the successes.

We obsess over the missed goal at the expense of the things we learned and people we affected.

Okay, you didn't get the promotion you hoped for; but while striving for that job how many friends did you help out of a tough spot, how many other objectives did you knock off your to do list, what new skills did you master?  My guess is you can name few or none of these things - noteworthy accomplishments all.

Yet, we praise a baby for clapping hands, holding a bottle, making first cooing sounds, rolling over... all simple things but milestones none the less.

We should all remember to appreciate the milestones in everything we do. The recipe perfected, the thank you card received, the flowers coaxed to bloom, the homework project completed.  The milestones are what make the journey worthwhile.

Curious Invite

It occurs to me the fallow fields that had lain bare between clusters of barren trees have been transformed into carpets of green leading to inviting sheltered forests.

Like the yellow brick road that led to Emerald City, the rolling fields offer invitation to explore a world where humans are as much as visitor as Dorothy was a visitor in Oz.

Forests are the world of creatures fluttering overhead, scrabbling underneath, and bounding exuberantly. Here humans bring a hush to an otherwise boisterous world. We are the curiosity studied by all who make their homes in the world of trunks, branches, brush, and leaves.

Welcoming Cottage

There was no welcome sign hanging in front of the cottage, but there didn't need to be.  The entire property called out a welcome.

Azaleas of varying colors blossomed between manicured rose bushes surrounding the foundation of the cottage. A stained glass window, nestled beneath an overhang supported by gingerbread trim, mirrored the hues of the azaleas. Black shutters accented the arctic white clapboards and a winding brick path invited visitors right to the front door.

I just knew that within there would be a table set for afternoon tea and was sorely tempted to intrude.

Strollering the Boards

An eighty degree day demands a stroll on the boardwalk at the end of the work shift. Only this evening was a case of strollering the boards since Motivated Mom and I were on babysitting duty while Media Girl was in school and a visit to the boardwalk meant pushing a stroller.

It had started innocently enough - a lunchtime e-mail to Motivated Mom suggesting a quick stroll before dinner.

Only Ihad  forgotten there is no such thing as a quick anything when there's a baby in tow.

After pulling into the driveway, I made a quick wardrobe change and headed for the door.

Ooops... Before getting to the door there was the diaper change, mixing formula, packing the diaper bag, folding the stroller, and loading everything into the car to set off on...

Another ooops... almost forgot the baby after all that packing.

So a dash back in the house, bundling of the baby, and off we went.

Only now we were famished from all the preparation and found ourselves questioning the wisdom of this "quick" little outing.