Change

This is all that's left of the huge, gorgeous tree in our back yard. I was so charmed by this beauty when we first looked at the house. And, it was an amazing moment for me when we first moved in and my daughters climbed on our VERY OWN TREE in our VERY OWN YARD!

But then, a few years later in early spring, temperatures plunged down into the 20s after the sap had started to run, bursting more branches then we could count. It was the beginning of the end for this old gal. A couple of years later it was STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. Seriously. This thing is just a few yards from our back patio and wowza was that a loud sound. Bits of the tree were scattered all over the yard and the lightning left a long black scar on the trunk.

We didn't know if the tree would make it. And is it turns out, it did not. We had an arborist come over and he delivered the bad news: the tree was going to die and FALL ON OUR HOUSE if we didn't cut it down.

I went through some of the phases of grief - denial: "nah, it'll be FINE!" - bargaining: "maybe if we just give it some extra water this summer..." - and finally, acceptance. I just realized that - you know what? - things change. This tree has been a big part of our life here in this house, but now it's gone and that's okay.

The good news is that the yard is more wide open now. There's more room for soccer and catch. And, with the spring snow and high winds we've been having, I'm not worried that the tree is going to FALL ON OUR HOUSE! And, that's wonderful.

Spring is Springing

I'm so enjoying the advent of another spring season. It comes so slowly and so late in our little mountain valley. But our world is greening a little more each day, and it is such a joy.

Kitty Bliss

This is what kitty bliss looks like. Just a simple 1970s-style half barrel sitting in the back yard planted with a little catnip. You can't see any catnip, you say? Yeah, that's because she eats it up almost faster than it can grow. Then she wallows in what's left behind and blisses out. And yes, I bliss out when I gaze upon her adorable-ness. I LOVE HER SO MUCH!, as the kids say. On the shopping list: more catnip seed.

Sploooooosh

We took a day out to just be together. To play. To splash. To relax. It makes such a difference to just be. in. the. moment. I'll keep working on it. The rewards are great.

Shining Star

My Ani - front and center in this photo - shone like a start this weekend at the Big Sky State Games. She loves to dance, and it shows!

Beautiful Blooms

My mom brought me these daffodils when she visited last weekend. The "bouquet" looked like a bundle of asparagus when she handed them to me, the buds still all wrapped up in little packets of promise. In just a couple days, they bloomed beautifully.

A String Quartet

My big girl and her budding string quartet. I'm so proud of these young musicians! What a joy it is to hear them play. I can't believe how abundantly the care I put into my babies is coming back to me in gifts, pleasures, and moments of glee.