noteworthy

noteworthy: worthy of or attracting attention especially because of some special excellence.

If this definition can be applied in regard to my own prosaically lived life then it is equally acknowledged that what I might consider noteworthy might seem rather dull to others. Nonetheless, there are many reasons for noting  distinct happenings and going-ons in one's life. Warning: What I might consider noteworthy might totally creep you out!😊

 Snakes, if you live in the south you learn to look out for them in the warm weather months, beginning around late March/ early April until right before the first frost. As I walk in warm weather my eyes are glancing all around and usually I am praying I will see any snakes if they are near enough to frighten or harm. We also have a couple of venomous snakes, mainly the Copperhead, which are also seen every summer. I have some answers to prayers on seeing these dangerous snakes.

 One evening right at dusk my husband and I were out walking the ridge, quick as lightening a Black Racer literally raced across our path coming from the field. It was fast and noteworthy as we saw the speed of it whipping less than three feet from us. It is much more common to see the slower slithering Black Rat snake, never missing a summer of having one of them in our yard or surrounding areas, but I had yet to see the  Black Racer until now.

And I must also say, we never, never go into the woods in the summer. One reason the ticks and chiggers, the other the snakes. We keep grass and fields mowed and also realize snakes help keep the rat and mouse population down. I must see some form of silver lining in such things.

the spirit of youth

"April has put a spirit of youth in everything.

                                                      ~William Shakespeare

 And with this "spirit of youth" birthing in my heart, my sixty plus bones longed to get outside to delve into the inviting soil as I planted lettuce, beet, pea, and bunching onion seeds as well as gathering the ordinary mop, vacuum, and old clean rags to begin the room by room spring cleaning inside.

But there is also the continual habit of observing, listening, smelling, and feeling the change of the season...new beginnings.

The celebration of His Resurrection is rousing in my heart too. The daily devotional readings, the vivid images imparted in my mind from the famous paintings of artists I've studied over the years, and the familiar hymns I find myself singing throughout the day.

And I've also completed a winter project, this pair of socks  began in 2019. But finally by sheer force of will I am happy to report they are finished! I did not appreciate knitting with the wool, though it is a lovely yarn with pleasing colors, nor did I like the *Signature needles that I used for knitting them. These two things evidently made it easy for me to slip them into a basket until I happened upon them this winter and realized I must, yes must, finish them. I am inserting a photo of the heel, each sock heel was knitted differently. I did the one on the left and maybe I was not wearing my reading glasses or I did not read the directions closely enough, whatever, by the time I got to the other sock I realized I was supposed to do the heel with ribbing. It is intended to be more "wear-worthy". Rather than redo the first one I decided no one will notice and I did actually want to knit the heel with the ribbing. That is my sock knitting mismatch tale. But they are finished and very comfortably wearable.

 One of the books I am currently reading along.

Embroidering is the current gentle art that is stirring my spirit. My sewing group met at my home Saturday before last and I was able to begin a new project from this book, my third creation.

I enjoyed listening to this podcast one evening as I was cleaning up the supper dishes. Hannah Anderson was the guest sharing one of her books, Turning of Days: Lessons from Nature, Season and Spirit. It is on my list of books to read.

How has the "spirit of youth" engaged you?