Winter's Grand Exit

That was undeniably the quickest spring on record. Winter has returned with a wicked vengeance. Forty mile-an-hour winds driving a sheet of horizontal snow hour after hour. The lights flicker on and off, at times staying off then returning long enough to reheat the house and reset the clocks. Roads all over the state closed due to slippery conditions and zero visibility. The baby animals huddle in close to momma. The horses wonder why they shed their winter coats too soon. The cat hunkers down atop a mountain of hay in the middle of the barn safe and sound from the pounding fury just outside the metal walls. She waits for spring to return, but winter has its own idea. The house shivers and shakes in unison with its inhabitants as we all wonder what to make of winter's grand exit.

For now, we wait.

And so it is.

Prairie Primavera

Primavera: first green.
The greening of the prairie, beautiful albeit brief, brings renewal of all things living. The spring season varies as moisture and cold varies from year to year. This spring season is my first on the prairie. I am amazed by the endless variety of bugs already making their pesky selves known. As for the dastardly fly, I'm not sure he ever left. With each passing week a new species of winged creature arrives acting as if they are perfectly entitled to squeeze through the screens or await an open-door opportunity to invade our space. For about two days I dared to open windows and allow the stagnation of winter blow out onto the prairie replaced by crisp fresh mountain air blowing up from the south. Since then the windows have been slammed shut--the intruders banned from finding refuge between the sheets or in the pantry.

The wind has been blowing incessantly for the past two days. I've got outside projects on hold awaiting the calm. The sky looks foreboding but the clouds only sacrifice a few drops before pinching off and heading east. At some point the rains will come followed by springs parade of winged and creepy crawly creatures, and let's not forget the lovable rattlesnake who lies in wait for the same thing we all seek--warm sunny days!

Before moving to the prairie, I marked the first sign of spring with the first sighting of the beloved robin. Now, the marker comes packaged in a primitive reptile flickering a forked tongue, fangs, and an attitude that rivals Glenn Beck.

The prairie is quite a departure from the serene suburbs where the greatest danger involved not looking both ways before crossing the street. Now I look both ways before opening the storm door. I look under vehicles before hopping in. I lead with my head rather than my feet when entering an outbuilding. I never walk through tall grass or bend over to pull a weed. The prairie is wild; I'm not, yet.

My hope and intention is that I overcome the learning curve intact. That is also my hope for all the animals we have come to love.

Spring is in the air, hope reins supreme, and the rattlesnakes had better stay outta my sights, cause momma's packin' heat on the Prairie this Primavera.

And so it is.

Pondering Paradox

For a very long time I have held the belief that all of life's most important "stuff" can be found couched in paradox.

Paradox refers to ideas that appear contradictory or on the surface defy common sense but are in fact the very ideas upon which Life exists and expands. I have learned that to be on the path of my purpose is to learn to be comfortable with paradox.

These are some of my favorites:

• The more I know the more I realize how much I don't know.
• We have free-will yet we are not in control
• When we set our intention for what we desire, we achieve it usually after we release our need to have it.
• I am the drop of water and the wave.
• I direct myself, and I am directed.
• Taking a stand moves me forward.
• We need to make mistakes in order to learn.
• As soon as I accept myself as confused, and allow myself to be uncertain, I will be less confused.
• Good communicators are always good listeners.
• Clinging to someone or something always results in losing it.
• We may need to let go of our beliefs and ideas about Life in order to have Life.

In Joy,

sandy