Day 720 - May 19, 2010

I am going to skip writing tonight. I didn't sleep one wink last night - I just tossed and turned all night, finally giving up at about 8am or so. Tonight, I am just so exhausted.

I do want to quickly post a lovely poem that Patricia wrote to help us remember our home state of Pennsylvania (Thanks, Patricia!):

Leslie ~

For you and Kevin and Breezy...to remember the days of Pennsylvania...I wrote this, sitting at my window...thought something nice to read would bring a smile...

Sunday writes itself upon our memory.

The sky changes blue as it is a background for foliage. Dark green sets it blazing brilliant blue...near the horizon a wisp of blue gray....around clouds the soft blue of faded jeans....

Everyone is cutting grass and planting flowers and since it has rained so much, the air is filled with pungent soil, grass clippings, compost, blossoms....the woman across from me began early this morning with her plantings and now her yard is a coloring book unfolded...

Sounds of conversation follow the breeze indoors, drifts around each room, and settles like dust on counters and bedspreads...

When we were children it was a day for baseball, street kick ball, walks to the parks, sitting on stoops and backyard porches with friends, our feet up on banisters...Popsicle melted down limbs and we never minded the sticky sweetness...just laughed...remember the days when we laughed because we loved the feel of it?

Windows are open for the house to air....sweeping remnants of winter and cold away...

I just cleaned the kitchen. Clorox, Murphy's Oil Soap, dish liquid...now it smells like my home on Adams street. How our mother's habits stay with us. Maybe that is why they taught us as they did. So when we clean, and the smell of years ago is recreated, we have a moment with them.

The day's sun is drifting in time beyond the tree line and shadows spread like so many palms and fingers...

Gentle.

A simple word that releases its sigh against the coming of the week...

Enjoy.

With love.