Rejoicing and Running, Apple and Azalea Blossoms

We are rejoicing in the gorgeous days of May, tumbling in one after another. Celebrating the return of the plants and flowers is not confined to Vermont...as these happy pictures from Finland reveal! Thanks to friend and photographer Riikka Luukkainen-Markkula for these reminders of the miracle of the seasons. Here is her shot of a newly sprouted rhubarb leaf.
I believe my appreciation of spring has not only been heightened by the warmer than usual temperatures, but because I HAVE STARTED RUNNING. I can hardly believe I just wrote that, but yes, it is true, and I am having a great time. You ask WHY?

The entire month of January, Thurmond and I worked to recover from the awful swine flu, known as H1N1 around the world. Our energy was robbed, our bodies were weak and weary. I kept asking him, "What is the lesson of this flu?" Of course, only I could answer the question for myself.

When I finally did, I saw that I had allowed myself to get run down and susceptible to illness. I vowed, "When I get over this awful bug, I will commit myself to fitness." And I have!

What I didn't expect was that besides getting stronger, running would make me happier. I have this clean feeling, like I am open and ready to hold onto much more each day. Not only am I experiencing myself as more patient, but everything seems manageable. I suddenly see there is enough time in the day to live it well.

Saturday, I was able to smell the fragrant blossoms of the wild apple on Shadow Lake Road at least 30 before I reached the tree. (The flowering apple photograph above is actually from Finland, taken by RLM's trusty Olympus!) I left home that morning, determined to run the nearly 6 miles into town. One foot after another, I got to town. My face was so red, friends at the nursing home thought I had been burned! Just my happy heart, circulating blood and oxygen.

Thurmond drove down and met me at The Busy Bee Diner, where Tiana made me an enormous blueberry pancake. Yum.

Tomorrow, I am running again, with another woman named Bethany, who is also excited about reclaiming her fitness this spring. We both credit the other for the inspiration to keep running and pressing on...and we figure that Bethany times two is especially mighty. Nothing like the power of an encouraging friend. (I urge you to treat yourself to one.)

I've ordered myself a pair of New Balance WR1224 shoes, supposed to be great for stability and correcting my pronated right foot. I learned about these shoes reading Dr. Ben Kim's fact-filled blog. He writes, "From what I've read and heard, the latest models by New Balance provide an excellent combination of stability and support. One longtime client threw away her custom-made orthotics after going with the New Balance WR1224 shoes. Though these shoes are designed to support serious runners, in my mind, they're excellent for long walks and just going about your everyday activities."

Oh, you're wondering about the color of my new 1224s? AZALEA!

Flowers, Delivered From Vermont

Beautiful flowering fruit trees are decorating the Vermont landscape these days. I found this gorgeous crab apple up in Newport, near the Clyde River. Hard to want for a darn thing when you come upon something this beautiful.

One more gift to you today, sent to me by a dear friend:

Now is the Time

Now is the time to know
That all that you do is sacred.

Now, why not consider
A lasting truce with yourself and God.

Now is the time to understand
That all your ideas of right and wrong
Were just a child's training wheels
To be laid aside
When you finally live
With veracity
And love.

Hafiz is a divine envoy
Whom the Beloved
Has written a holy message upon.

My dear, please tell me,
Why do you still
Throw sticks at your heart
And God?

What is it in that sweet voice inside
That incites you to fear?

Now is the time for the world to know
That every thought and action is sacred.

This is the time for you to compute the impossibility
That there is anything
But Grace.

Now is the season to know
That everything you do
Is sacred.


'The Gift - Poems by Hafiz the Great Sufi Master'
translations by Daniel Ladinsky

Snowy Mother's Day

Happy Snowy Mother's Day!
Thought you would get a kick out of seeing my beautiful bouquet (from loving son and his loving wife...so sweet) with the white backdrop I woke to. HELP!
In Vermont, we call this "sugar snow," as it usually comes during the season maple sap is tapped from the trees...the first step in making maple syrup and maple sugar candy.

My poor daffodils hung down their heads and cried....

The good news is that, like maple candy, sugar snow doesn't last long. I hope to put my boots back in the closet tomorrow. Happy Mother's Day to all men and women who create; creation can come in the form of children, books, art, houses, music, roadways...whatever you produce. I salute you!

Greetings from "Getting Green" Vermont

By the Grace of God, we are back in Vermont...

Dear husband Thurmond drove more than 1600 miles in ....while I did a considerable amount of sleeping and (he tells me) with my mouth OPEN. Yikes....

Our country home awaited us patiently. A burst pipe was the only challenge, and a dear neighbor discovered it before we arrived and already fixed it. How great is Glover life with such wonderful friends? We are busy unpacking, washing, putting away. Had a toast with some of our delicious cold and pure well water. The dogs are loving the smells of the Green Mountain fields and forests. While it is just May 2, incredibly, the temperature is over 70 degrees. That is warm for spring in Vermont, and I ain't complaining.

Look what greeted us as we came up the driveway! Yes, we are blessed.

Tomorrow, back to Union House Nursing Home, and I can't wait. Thank you all for your prayers...we had a 100 percent safe trip. Sending love to you.