OUR COMMON HOURS

Kelli Ann Wilson June 24, 2017

spring

No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn.
—Hal Borland

Lillia: What a difference a few months can make in the life of a young person. In my last update, I disclosed that you had been feeling really down. Without going into too much detail, I’m happy to report that our efforts to help lift your depression seem to be working (you can see the change in these pictures!). As the school year came to a close, you seemed much more “yourself,” which is a huge relief. You even managed to pull off straight A’s for the third trimester, though it must be noted that you weren’t running the last leg alone—it would be fair to say that you limped across the finish line with nagging parents and generous teachers in tow. And, that just goes to show how difficult it is to get straight A’s all year—it is a huge accomplishment, and you should be very proud of yourself! Of course, you should know we are always proud of you, no matter what, as long as you try your best.

Zane: My goodness, you have grown—both physically and in other ways—these last few weeks of the school year. Your face, your demeanor, everything has changed. And, these changes all point to a boy who will soon be turning six. Some say that the “six year change” is like a first puberty, and I can definitely see how an astute observer might make that connection. As an almost-six-year-old, you have a sharper tongue, and you are quick to point out my faults. In some ways it is painful to see my “baby” vanishing before my eyes (I barely survived the kindergarten graduation ceremony), but I am also so excited for you as you enter this new phase of your life. I’m looking forward to being able to spend more time with you now that school is over and summer vacation is here! I’ve missed you this year . . .

Kelli Ann Wilson May 22, 2017

flowers from a friend

I would far rather have two or three lilies of the valley gathered for me by a person I like,
than the most expensive bouquet that could be bought!

—from Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell

Thank you, Lynne. The “squished” ones turned out to be the most beautiful of all.

Kelli Ann Wilson May 7, 2017

signs of spring

Nothing is so beautiful as Spring—when weeds, in wheels, shoot long and lovely and lush; Thrush’s eggs look little low heavens, and thrush through the echoing timber does so rinse and wring the ear, it strikes like lightnings to hear him sing; The glassy peartree leaves and blooms, they brush the descending blue; that blue is all in a rush with richness; the racing lambs too have fair their fling.
What is all this juice and all this joy? A strain of the earth’s sweet being in the beginning in Eden garden.
—from “Spring” by Gerard Manley Hopkins

Kelli Ann Wilson April 28, 2017

thirty-six

In normal life we hardly realize how much more we receive than we give, and life cannot be rich without such gratitude. It is so easy to overestimate the importance of our own achievements compared with what we owe to the help of others.
—Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Today is my birthday. I’m thirty-six.

In some ways, this year was very much like the year that came before it, which is a blessing, as far as I’m concerned. While I have waxed philosophical on my birthday in previous years, I find that I don’t have so much to say this year. Things are good. My life is proceeding, largely, without interruption. I pray it will always be so.

In light of the above quote, I wish to offer birth-day thanks to family, friends, and kind strangers who have helped to shape this life for which I am so grateful. Far or near, you all enrich my life so much.

Kelli Ann Wilson April 15, 2017

billings farm

While I generally ignore Facebook ads (or at least try to ignore them), a promoted post from Billings Farm in Woodstock, VT about their Baby Farm Animal Celebration caught my eye. It seemed like a fun activity for Zane and I to try, and the weather looked like it would be perfect for an outdoor excursion. Never having been to Billings Farm before, I was expecting a smallish operation with a petting zoo atmosphere. I was surprised when we arrived and had to park in the third lot out from the main building—the place was huge and sprawling! My heart sank because I thought we would have to wrestle with crowds and that it wouldn’t be much fun, but I was definitely proven wrong.

Everything was beautifully organized and the flow of people moved smoothly and organically from place to place. Our first stop was the baby animal barn, where we saw some adorable baby bunnies, lambs, and chicks. We also perused the museum (in the same building) which has many displays about old farm equipment. I was surprised that Zane was actually interested in the displays and wanted to chat about them. Next we ordered a picnic-to-go from the dairy bar, which contained locally made crackers and the farm’s own cheese, plus some fruit, and Zane also had a chocolate ice cream. We set everything out on the grass and soaked up some warm, spring sun. Even though there were lots of folks wandering around, and many others having picnics, it didn’t seem at all crowded. At the end of the day we took a horse-drawn hay ride. It was about as perfect a day as one could hope for.