29 April 2013

april ends

I am trying desperately to bend myself back in time and rewind April. Oh April, where did you go?

May will begin and my list of things recently penned on the blog diminishes again as April becomes archived and the new month starts. So there May stands, a whole month unwritten with thoughts and adventures and little scraps of life poised to be woven and unstrung and rewoven anew. I am not sure what May holds in its heart for me. I am most especially looking forward to a wedding in the smokey mountains of North Carolina and a visit from my father. Here in the states, we celebrate Mother's Day. May is also a month seeming to burst with birthdays and anniversaries. So perhaps I am not dreading May at all. I am just already missing April. The art-ing around (and yes I know I did not link as I should have, but perhaps we will get to do it again soon). April and art and a chance to blot out blighted branches on the tree of my self. I think that in the lightening fast paced world in which we live, it is difficult to give ourselves a chance to heal from things, yet at the same time, marching forward seems to always offer up a cushion, a soft place where the raw newness of grief ends and the ever-after of things begins.

I know when April ends and May begins, we are so much closer to Summer Holidays and the boys days of unscheduled freedom. I am sure we will find many things to do. We already have plans to visit  family in Colorado and camping trips scheduled (one in the mountains and one out on Catalina Island).  I wonder if I could just camp away the summer, spend every night in our backyard, sleeping bags out, under the sound of sweet nighttime birds, heavy flower-scented air and the absolutely difficult sound of the freeway that wraps itself around Los Angeles.  There will be days on the beach and the ever difficult sound of exhaustion and whining that comes from the boys desperate desire to be plugged into some sort of electronic device at all times if they are at home (we run a tight ship on electronic use or as we call it "screen time" but all it does is make them want it more -I dread the summer arguments over free time spent and free time spent well).  I have foggy plans to take a road trip with the boys out to the Southwest of the States but I am unsure what they will entail and if I can force myself to to plan it out and execute it with any real intention.  My parent's often took us to Santa Fe and Taos when we were little and I wanted to make it a pilgrimage of sorts, tracing the ways of my mother, searching out things that filled her with joy and wonder. But this plan just rests there on the branches, not sure if it will fully blossom into plans. The summer always seems so wide and open at the beginning, then at the end, it was over to quickly and time got away from you. So this little plan just stays there lurking in my mind, a slight tug on my arm so to speak, perhaps this summer, perhaps the next.

But first, we shall forage through May and see what we can find.

What are your plans for May? xxoo


18 comments:

  1. I agree where did April go?!? Great post. It got me thinking though about why we look to summer as a chance for "freedom." I know when people are in school or have little ones in school, there is quite literally a summer break. Also the warm weather helps us all feel a bit free as we spend more time outside. But why must we designate a season for exploration and freedom? Perhaps we could carry this summer attitude with us always? Just a thought... (www.blairsays.com)

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    1. Oh Blair, I like what you wrote here. You are right, there must be a way we could cultivate this within our own families and communities, this season of exploration and freedom. Hope you are having a lovely monday! xo

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  2. Beautiful photos! Your May sounds so lovely and cozy, all the plans of togetherness with family. My May is as you mentioned - filled to the brim with birthdays and anniversaries, making me feel bound by buying and giving gifts, though that's not what I should be focused on (sigh). I made it to Catalina Island once many years ago,... and vowed to return some day with my family. It's magic there, I can't wait to see the photos from your trip :)

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    1. Isn't it funny Catherine how busy May is? I think it must be the busiest in the maternity wards the world over -so very busy.
      And Catalina does have its own special magic, especially in relation to Los Angeles. I can't wait to snorkel over there in those crystal clear waters. xo

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  3. Lots of good things I hope, but I know how you feel...I'm already starting to miss April - it is one of those lovely months where things start to happen and promise is in the air.

    Nina x

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    1. Me too, I already miss it too. I don't think I savored all the lovely things that there are to offer in this month. And yes, April is most definitely the promise of things to be and unfolding of happenings.

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  4. May- already our calendar is partly filled. The best planned event is a trip to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The Outer Banks is a string of barrier islands 50 miles or so from the coast. We're staying on Ocracoke Island, North Carolina. Ocracoke is well-loved by our family. My husband and I have visited at least once a year for almost 20 years. Also in May: soccer, park playdates, and the beginning of rehearsals at the Roanoke Children's Theatre for my daughter, who is part of the upcoming musical Stuart Little! Good things in May.

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    1. Oh Outer Banks! Sounds so lovely! And isn't May the best time to go before all the crowds and people? it sounds like your May is already filled to the brim! What joy, what photos and fun to be had! xo

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  5. There must be a secret time warp whole that swallowed April away.
    I feel the same...it's just gone. Somehow time has changed.

    Enjoy the rest of Spring,remember to sit down every then and when just looking at all the blossoms.

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    1. Oh you are so right to slow down a bit! Hope that you are enjoying the cooler days down in the southern hemisphere. I so love autumn. xo

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  6. Plans for May : hm.. Is the last month of my holidays. Definitely visit more cafes and spend time with my love ones before school start! :)

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  7. I love the sound of your plans ... I've really got to make some for myself ... life is always better when you are looking forward to something :0)
    xx

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    1. Yes, i completely agree. Looking forward to something, but not too far away.
      Lovely life with its plans and unfolding. xo

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  8. Thank you for a lovely piece of writing and photos - perfect after I cleaned and moved out of our flat. May will be a big month of change for us - we head to my parents farm in Ontario (we have not seen them since last summer), celebrate the oldest becoming a teenager, mothers day with family this time, gardening, finishing a long semester of school, knitting projects, felting projects and whatever else we can come up with. Sounds like you will have a lovely summer - we will get back to Colorado the end of July, if you are around then. There are some unique and mysterious places in Northern New Mexico if you are up for exploring - Ghost Ranch, Abiquiu - and always the caverns in southern New Mexico. I agree it is nice to show the kiddos what you did as a child (the Albuquerque zoo is really nice and their botanical gardens) - as you can tell I lived there for a bit and still return to see family. Good luck with what you choose and no matter what it will always be fun.
    Chey xo

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    1. My dear Chey! Moving out of your flat and off to new adventures. I believe your May is so incredibly packed to the brim. I would love to see all of your adventures. I have never been to Ontario, what is it like? And the beloved beginning of 13. Such a rite of passage (perhaps more for us than them?).

      Oh and Colorado! This summer! It would be wonderful if we were able to cross paths. Do you think you are settling there or just visiting? It sounds as you have many new horizons on your plate this spring and summer. All of which sound so lovely.

      xo

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  9. It wasn't until I read this that it sunk in that tomorrow is May! May for me in Australia means we're heading into just that little bit colder weather, but I've moved quite a bit further north where it's more tropical so it's going to be a different kind of winter. I'm already missing things such as the autumn leaves..we don't really get the change up here. May is always a beautiful month though- it's Gemini month- my sister's birthday. A month of celebrations. Nat x

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    1. I understand your longing for more things autumn. We have always lived in a place where there are distinct seasons, but now that we live in southern california, I miss the very distinct changes in seasons, especially in Autumn. xxoo

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