I walked out on the deck a few moments ago to see if it was warming up and to check on my big boy, as a neighbor had just posted of video of a rather large coyote wandering in the common ground area. A bit from my house, but close enough to be concerning. I'm sure if I'd have been outside at the same time I would have caught a glimpse as there trees are completely bare this time of year. Not only was he perfectly safe, he was in his favorite morning spot.
Just a short while ago, Beau had been voicing his displeasure at being inside when the sun was so obviously shining outside and he needed to start on his sunbathing. He's a crazy boy, sun out, Beau out. Seems to be his philosophy on life. Belle, is a touch fussier, she requires at least the high sixties before she wants to be outside, Beau will stretch out on the snow if it means some sunshine on his body.
My sweet girl is inside basking. She lacks his double coat and the cold temps are simply not her thing... Florida anyone? Or at least her warm sweater.
I figured as long as I was out there checking in and waiting on the tea kettle to boil, I'd check on the soil in the beds. Last week they were still a block of frozen dirt, so I wasn't holding out much hope. Even though the weather forecast is warming and only moderately cold nights, almost perfect for radishes, spring lettuce and sweet peas, I still was not holding my breath.
I am happy to say, they are thawed! As our spring weather and temperatures have been very short lived and fickle the past few years, I am hesitant to give my cooler temperature loving plants a go. But, ya know... I have a bunch of seeds that I harvested last year, so why not try? In a short bit I am heading out to plant up a few boxes. Maybe we will harvest before the heat of summer arrives in a blistering rush causing all of them to suddenly bolt and before any late season hail storms come thrashing through like last year.
Hubs and I had such wonderful weekend. You would think with our rushed trip south it would have felt a bit frazzled. Instead it felt relaxing. We both felt like our buckets were filled. Yesterday we spent time driving back to Illinois, yup the roads are still the worst we've driven on, to visit his Mom and Dad's grave sites. We ended up picking up a a picnic and enjoying it at one of our favorite parks we used to take the kids to when they were young.
Of course we know they aren't there, we also knew that we were doing it for us. Yesterday was his Mom's 102nd birthday, as I said. Tomorrow is his Dad's 122nd, not sure he will be able to get over there tomorrow, as it's a work day and he always has a lot going on at the beginning of month. It's also, the seventh anniversary of Dad's passing. I cannot believe it has been so very long. Some days it feels like yesterday, others it feels like a different lifetime.
Strangely, I feel that anniversary has more to do with my quest for a simpler life than most anything else. I've always craved the life we strive to live now, but I was always so wrapped up in the norms, the quest for more without really understanding what "more" truly was. In Dad's final year, months, days I wanted to be there so much more. I wanted the time that can never be replaced. But I wasn't living a life that allowed that.
I was caught up in a career that demanded long hours, in a place and time that required my own wants, needs and life to take a permanent back seat. I thought it was normal, assumed that was simply "how life was". Honestly, it was the world my Dad kind of pushed us to think was normal, the kind he approved of. As a result, I only spent that last bit of time with him via messenger and text messages. I lost things that cannot ever be replaced. I wasn't there to support my mom and sisters, I wasn't there to sit with him. I lost those chances forever. They cannot be replaced.
I also realized at that time that I was losing more than just that. The quest for "more" was actually providing less. As the world spun out of control in 2020, it became even far more obvious, you simply cannot buy happiness. All the career stuff, couldn't fill the voids the dedication was creating.
Fast forward to this weekend. There was no angst about being able to go, we took it slow, even though it was a fast little vacation. In pausing for Beau, we were able to savor the smaller things. To have endless conversations about what life was like living in some of the small towns we passed by. How they could possibly survive financially without industries and lots of businesses.
All of that ties in with so much that has been running through my thoughts for months, heck probably years now. We don't need "more" of the wrong stuff. We need more of the right stuff.
Those small towns appeal to me in a way I cannot describe. I don't feel I will ever live in one, for many reasons. But my "more" is probably the strongest reason. Our grands are within walking distance. Those calls, hugs and time spent together are precious to me. I didn't have that gift growing up, I always felt a bit of a loss in my life as a result. Don't get me wrong, I would never give up the magic that I was able to experience growing up, the depth of cultures, experiences, life and knowledge that I was given as a result of being a military brat and dependent.
What I missed out on though was the extended family. That string of people that were connected by more than a common location. The connection of the blood, shared memories, support, the bonds we didn't make. The roots. Sure we have them and love them, but for the most part they don't know us and we don't know them. The common ground isn't the same.
I cherish those deep roots more than anything else. When I get a call to be there for one of our grands, or if our girl needs something and I am able to help, or even something as simple as Hubs wanting to go to lunch together and I have the ability to simply tidy up from whatever I am working on, brush my hair and rush to do it. If my sister or niece that are local call, I have a flexibility that I've never had before. When there is an urgent need to be in Arkansas or even Alabama or California, I can go. I can be the anchor, rock or life preserver for my loved ones. Those things are powerful.
Those are the things that matter, at least to me.
I might be imagining it, but I doubt it, those small towns haven't forgotten about those simpler things. They haven't disconnected from the things that matter in the pursuit of "more". They appear to be focused on the real more.
As we walked with the pups through the beautiful late winter sunshine at the cemetery yesterday, both of us regretting not bring a rake and some bags (long story about a cemetery and greed), I kept remembering Hubs marveling at the beauty and upkeep of the cemetery's in the small towns we passed. How beautifully maintained and respected they were.
I don't know that the cleanliness and maintenance are for those buried there. They have long since quit caring. To me, it feels like it is for those left living, for those that carry on the memories, hopes and dreams. Because in a way we are all a continuation of those that came before us. To me the disrepair and chaos feels like those memories are being disrespected, somehow minimizing the feelings of those left behind.
They seem to honor the long lines that bring them to where they are today in a way that seems to be falling by the wayside. When I was down in Arkansas, I couldn't help notice, that my sisters probably have the same feelings I do. Oh the experiences our tiny family (if you call 6 tiny) had, but watching them living their lives, I felt a stronger sense of oneness an unbreakable bond. One lives super close to mom, her kiddos are super close too. She is married to her best friend and has formed a community of close friends. Her own virtual small town, in a way. Their common interests and bonds carrying them through thick and thin.
The other one truly lives in a super small town, okay, nope she lives in the middle of nowhere (I will admit to serious envy here - but in a good way). Hubs and I were stunned when one of the two roads to her house was semi-paved. Didn't think we'd ever see that day. She is also married to her best friend, her kiddo's all live within a short drive in equally beautiful remoteness. The bond between them is unshakable, the cousins are all close and connected. They also have that web of friends that are important, but their family bond is unbelievable and powerful. That sister is currently my contraband supplier... fresh eggs! I wonder if she knows how wealthy that currently makes her?
My sister that lives up near me, has been in this area, shoot almost the same house since her early teens. She has a spider web of super close family and friends that surround her and her hubby. Again, seems like we all marry our best friends.
In regards to my sisters I am the outlier. I spent several decades living the life we grew up in. My roots are fairly shallow still, even though I stopped bouncing around 23 years ago. But due to that obsession with perceived success, I don't have many friends, the roots are just starting to spread. I am just now starting to understand, experience and treasure the simplicity of now.
I stink as a friend, I lack the ability to focus and be present. I want to, but I don't have the life skills that support it. My dearest friends and I have been part of each others lives since the 1980's, but we don't touch base that often, we don't live in the same areas of the world. Although, if any of us needs the other, we can call, text or message and we will be there. It's a different kind of friendship.
I'm slowly learning to be a real life friend, it's a skill I am not sure I will ever master, as I am most comfortable on my own, in my family centric bubble.
Just the same, I have found in this simpler life my more.
The slowness of it all, makes it richer. I am getting ready to start a hot lunch to feed hubs, the meal isn't as important as the time. Being able to be on call to go and help in Arkansas if the need arises or to drive a grand to work, or to attend an activity. That is where the more comes in.
I like to believe that those folks living in small towns are able to lean in to each other, to support one another, to understand that "more" isn't something you purchase with dollars. It's something you can only purchase with yourself.