ADJUSTMENTS

The setting moon, March 9

As we moved back to daylight savings time on Sunday, Mike and I took a rather relaxed attitude. I meant to get out early to the grocery store, and it was 10:30 before I left the house. It seemed earlier. The afternoon disappeared quickly, and it was 5:00 when Mike suggested we walk the dog. It seemed earlier. By the time I started supper, it was late by the clock, and then I watched in horror as the crust of my quiche burned while the middle took its sweet time setting up. (I did not give that recipe a positive review.) It was after 7:00 when I finally had supper on the table. It was after 8:00 when I was finally showered and ready for bed. It seemed earlier, and I was angry that it was late. The only thing we did by the clock was to go to bed at 9:30, and I wasn’t ready to sleep.

On Monday I decided I had had enough of playing to the inner clock and making concessions. I determined to go strictly by the clock. I was up at 6:00 while it was still dark. Mike was up before 7:00, and when he went out to get Bess, he noticed the moon setting in the west. I caught the photo above just as it disappeared over the hill.

“What time is supper?” asked Mike.

“6:30,” was my emphatic reply.  

And the weekend was difficult in another way. Our neighbors of 15 years – they moved in about six months after we moved to this house – have gone their separate ways and sold the house. The move has been coming on for a year, so it’s not like it's a surprise, but the adjustment hits us now. They won’t be coming and going any more. We will miss them.

Life is full of changes – some big, some little, some recurring (like the time changes). KW

SPRING UP . . .

Crocus -- a true sign of spring

Tomorrow at 2:00 a.m. we begin daylight savings time. Sigh! “Dear Abby” says she’s happy to change her clocks because she sees it as a sign of spring. Whatever! Just live by the clock for a week and you’ll get used to it.

I’ve been doing some machine embroidery and also making doll clothes. It’s taken me all winter to get to it, and now it’s about time for trips to the farm, yard work, and other interruptions. I had a good time at my sewing machine, though, and I hope I can keep it up. It gives me a wonderful feeling of accomplishment. The items here are going home with niece Becky for her granddaughter (my great-great niece) but are modeled here by American Girl Kit Kittredge, aka "Shirley Anne, American Farm Girl."

This reversible halter top (photos right, top and bottom) is an in-the-hoop machine embroidery design by "Digitized Creations (here)." The simple skirt is made according to their suggestions. The jeans are from Liberty Jane (here). We were laughing today that those of us with soft bottoms don't wear jeans well, and the soft bodied 18-inch doll is no exception. She wouldn't be without jeans, though. All her friends wear them.

I crocheted this bright sweater some years ago and never finished it. The time was right. Perhaps she can wear it over the halter top on cooler days.

And here are Nellie and Bess taking their morning nap. They will continue to take leisurely morning naps in spite of the time change. KW

IS IT EARLY? OR IS IT LATE?

It seems early, but it must be late. Or, is it late but seems early? The first week after a time change is the worst. I wake up at 4:00 a.m. – 5:00 a.m. the previous week – ready to get up and start my day. Mike is hungry at 5:00 p.m., which is really 6:00 by the digestion clock, and we agree to wait until 6:00 by the real clock for supper. (Mike eats at regular intervals. I suppose it’s that Dr. Pepper training – 10, 2, and 4.) Returning from shopping yesterday morning, I thought it was 11:30 when the clock said 10:30. I waited until 4:00 to walk the dogs and it was nearly dark as we returned. I’m ready to sleep at 8:30 but we stay up so that it can start all over again at 4:00 in the morning. And so on . . . that’s the way it goes until we get used to it.

Since my list is very long today, I don’t have a lot of time to visit, but I did want to share a couple of pictures. I planted the “burning bush” at our front door when we moved here ten years ago. It was bare root stock and it’s taken all these ten years for it to become beautiful. Oh well. 

 

The big maple in this picture was also planted when we moved here. The smaller is a volunteer which looks to be from another maple family. So glad it showed up to be pretty for us. 

Top photo: I didn't think it would be an especially beautiful autumn in our region because of the hot, dry summer. However, looking out over the Lewis Clark Valley yesterday from the home of a friend seems to deny my theory. So glad I remembered the camera! KW