Amarylis #2

My beautiful amarylis is a bit ahead of these pictures - I have captured it through these last 2 weeks and will begin to post its progression. As it begins to bloom, it gets top-heavy, I usually poke a chopstick down into the soil and use green garden twine to secure the stem and keep it upright.

These flowers come in many colors - this particular bulb was a gift to Tom and I from a good friend. It is in its orginal pot, which is unglazed pottery. I like those better than the plastic pots but I don't think it really matters. This summer, I plan to repot it just one pot-size up. I hope you enjoy these pictures as much I enjoy watching this beauty grow. It helps to satisfy my "itchy" green thumb.

Amarylis

Here is my five-year old Amarylis - somehow, during the craziness of the first two winters of grief, I managed to keep it on its cycle and alive.

For those readers who may not understand the treatment needed for amarylis to bloom - the plant must be allowed to grow its green leaves throughout the summer and fall and when the leaves die, the pot and dry bulb go into a dark closet for the winter. In January/February, it moves out of the cupboard, begins to be gradually watered and moved slowly into full light.

I wish I had taken a picture when I brought it out of the pantry cupboard - it looked like a dried, dead bulb with half of its body poking out of the soil.

This is a beautiful specimen - tall and regal - eventually there will be four gorgeous blooms. At times, this plant has shot up another stem after the first blooming is over. Until this plant, I had never grown an amarylis that let me enjoy its display twice in one year.

I enjoy watching its daily changes - transformation - the miracle of nature.

Tonight my mother told me there are fat robins hopping around in her yard in Northern California. In Minnesota, we are a long way from Spring - amarylis and forced bulbs help to cure that longing for something to nurture. More pictures to come.

Mania

I have been on an organizing binge - over the holiday break, I did the office - every drawer, every file folder. This month I have done the pantry, closets, drawers, linen cabinet - whew. I have purchased dozens of large clear rectangular containers with snap on lids and have labeled everything. I love that labeler. There is something very satisfying about opening the closet and seeing that level of orderliness.

Many of the closets I have organized still had Tom's personal things on shelves or in drawers. Many memories - but not those heart stopping emotions - defintely an abiding sense of gratitude for our life and our love.

It feels wonderful to have everything so tidy. To be able to put my hands on anything I want or need in the house. Ahhhhhh - to have your insides and outsides congruent. The chaos of the last two years is subsiding - the acceptance of the now is growing.

Simple yet Profound

I just read Joy's blog post today - over at Joy of Six. Joy is a creative and gentle spirit - one of the amazing things she has been doing for years is write poetry. Today her post/poetry is simple and profound. I encourage you to visit. Thank you Joy.

The Tree Through the Seasons #6

Finally, there is enough snow to post a new picture of the tree in my backyard. I have not been able to post another picture since November 17th - we have not had enough winter to change the look of the tree. However, winter is alive and well in Minnesota today. These pics were snapped last night and this morning. The sparkling white of winter - the innocence of the landscape - the purity - so restful to look outside.

Today is Martin Luther King Day - I have been reflecting on this holiday and the integrity and courage of the man so rightly honored today. In 2000, my sister friend, J and I met in Atlanta on this holiday and stood outside Dr. King's church, toured The King Center and walked those neighborhood streets. It was awe inspiring - a life of service, a life lived in-spirit and love.

Post Number 200

That's right this the 200th post on this blog! I began this weblog as a solitary endeavor to have somewhere other than my paper journal to record my journey through grief. I never imagined that I would connect with people around the world and develop a circle of people that I consider friends - even though we have never met.

So tonight, with this 200th post, I say - here's to you each of my friends (and to those who read and do not post) thank you for being a support along this path. I have learned much from so many of you and continue to do so.

Ahhhh, the joy of Friday night. This has been a very disturbing week - full of some of the worst behavior we have ever seen from a client. Too early to even venture a general statement about the week. This needs reflection and processing. I am happy to have the next couple of days to relax - I have a massage tomorrow - putter around, write, read, walk, do some art and enjoy the weekend.

Wow

We have been really busy coming back from the holiday break. The office was unusually quiet from just before Christmas through the New Year. My email was so slow, a few times I thought our server might be down. Not so anymore.

We are one busy consulting firm - hooray. We are so blessed to have such interesting work. We are fortunate - our work helps to strengthen organizations and helps to create participatory practices in organizations and in the community.

We are beginning the year with a fine number of signed contracts, which will allow us to engage in a challenging mix of projects. I have a major new project that I will launch this year. It is an exciting new venture for me which, I will tell you about in the near future.

So, right now work is keeping me from my blogging but I will be around on the weekend to catch up and post some new year thoughts. Take care all my buddies.