Sunday Afternoon Tea

The look of late winter remains outside my window with just the slightest greening of grass and none of the trees or bushes budding.  Although the pollen count is high for some trees so that indicates buds... somewhere.

However, what I have noticed is not only the brighter sun that comes with Spring but the arrival of aromas in the air.  Each season brings with it an aroma to my senses... the fallen leaves and woodsmoke of Autumn, the scent of veggies and hot soil in my Summer garden, and even the crisp air of Winter has its' own non-scent.

But only in Spring are my senses overcome with the many aromas arriving from new life springing forth (literally) everywhere.  Perhaps I notice them more after months of cold crisp air where the only outside aromas come from my neighbor's wood burning stove.

I started walking on the trail again this week with the usual beginning exercise... fifteen minutes out and fifteen minutes back.  One of my health care providers (a very long time ago) recommended this way of walking where time and not distance is of importance. 

By the third day I was already twenty minutes out and twenty minutes back of very slow walking.  I was also sore and out of breath upon the return walk.  But within a few weeks I will look forward to feeling so much better and truly loving the walk itself.

Listening to my favorite walking music once again (especially John Denver and Indelible Grace) seems to override aching muscles and makes my heart sing.  I have read that people who listen to music while exercising have a much higher percentage of staying with "the program", a statistic I understand completely.

Just as I have been out walking "a little at a time", I have been tackling the garage project "just a little at a time".  Once it is finished the same principal will help with lawn and garden projects.

We had planned to extend the garden this year but for various reasons, finances will not allow it.  Instead I'm looking at ways to best utilize the raised beds that are in place.  I so look forward to new veggies and flowers in the garden!

When I look out my deck door at all the work ahead, I am tempted to return to my sofa with a book and a hot beverage (for it is still on the cool side of the thermometer here for awhile). 

However, I must remember that small actions done consistently can bring about very large results.  :)

Stephanie and I were chatting about homeschooling a couple weeks ago and I reminded her the same principal when applied to schooling at home... most often we need to only make small changes instead of huge transformations to achieve our goal.

Just a little tweaking here, and finding a new way to do something there, and changing about when and where we do our work... so often can add up to a result even better than what we would have accomplished with a huge change.

I believe it is human nature to think we have to always do great things and make life changing decisions if we feel we're not succeeding at what we want to do.  Oh, don't get me wrong... sometimes the only decision is life changing (as one who has lived in numerous states can attest to).  But such changes are... or at least should be... infrequent.

I need to make a few more small changes to my life as the seasons are changing.  I've been sleeping in later than usual in the cold, dark months of winter.  My cell phone alarm is now set to an hour earlier each day to (hopefully) provide a cocoon of quiet for Bible reading and pondering before my day begins.

In my part of the world, it is not unusual to skip mid-to-late Spring and jump straight into the heat of Summer.  When this happens, the extra hour each morning will make it possible to walk before the heat of the day.

Soon my favorite soups and stews will be replaced by lighter meals so I'm already pulling well worn recipe cards out for warmer weather menus as well as perusing cookbooks for new ideas.  Just a lunch here and a dinner there...

I'm also making a small "bucket list" of enjoyable things I want to do that take little time, money, or energy.   They must be written and kept in a place where I can see them regularly or I have found they will be forgotten in the midst of everyday busy-ness.

For instance, already on the list is using the small vintage picnic basket (which is actually a pie carrier) purchased during the Winter for a few picnics at the park in town; making a one day trip to our favorite amusement park by a lake; and enjoying a couple free concerts which take place Downtown when the weather is nice.

So... my days and weeks ahead look incredibly full but I will manage them in spite of limitations by doing "just a little at a time".  :)