Spring has sprung in the End of the Rainbow Valley. The tulips, daffodils, grape hyacinths, forsythia, bloodroot and apple trees all have bloomed, the valley has become lush green once again. It's been 19 springs since I first tasted nettle and freshly picked asparagus...
Among the usual spring activity the barn has been mucked and there's new life coming out of the barn. Three weeks ago triplet goat kids were born. The first set of triplets I have experienced here and was able to see all 3 being born. Granddaughter Hannah named the new kids ahead of time saying they would be twins, Nono and Shananah. The unexpected third, a boy, was named Doo Whop.
Yet with all these familiar spring sights and sounds like the mating owls , spring peepers and the return of the sand hill cranes, the sound of the rototiller was absent. The large garden plot will sit dormant this year as it was Natureman who arduously prepared that soil yearly for another year of gardening. Seriously, it was always more than 2 people could eat and my pantry and freezers still have plenty to feed me another year.
Irv's absence makes itself known in so many ways including the daily walks to the mailbox with Balto accompanied sometimes by both barn cats Blanca and Bebe but it also now provides time for me to think about the future.
Irv and I had many conversations in the past year and a half about the future and how I would/ should proceed. He knew from 40+ years the work needed to maintain our lifestyle. The biggest decision had begun when Irv was diagnosed with the cancer pre COVID and we discussed putting the house on the market and moving to town. That was nixed right away as you know Irv insisted on staying on the land he loved. I worried about transporting him for hospital care during winter. Fortunately last winter was mild.
I did speak with a realtor at the time as moving would be an eventuality for me if left alone. One of the things Irv appreciated about me was my practicality and I didn't want to take care of that paper work if I was grieving. Then COVID took over early last spring and I knew where I would want to be if another pandemic ever came our way. I'd want to be closer to family.
My Dad is 95, still living on his own in Little Rock, Arkansas. Fortunately my brother and his family are also there. It's my childhood home and I lived there also as a married adult for 6 years with children before moving to Milwaukee. So besides family and old friendsI know the religious community, Jazzercise and Master Gardener programs. After so many moves in my life I knew I didn't want to start all over in a new community, Little Rock was a no brainer.
So the End of the Rainbow Valley will go on the market this coming week. It's not easy leaving a place you love but the practical side of me knows it is for the best... Time is of the essence.
Many folks have helped me over the past 2 months. Actually I'd leave someone out if I tried to list them all. Almost every day someone helped with something different from goat fencing, weeding , chain saw work and other household repairs and chores.Both the barn and old house have been cleared out. Decluttering, sorting, dumping, packing, giving away have occupied numerous hours and with the help of friends a lot of progress has been made. Thank you all even if I didn't take you up on your offers yet. There is a lot of packing still ahead!
The boys and I spoke about it being premature to have Irv's Celebration of life this summer as COVID is not over although many of us have been vaccinated. In fact, some Balto family members were just diagnosed with COVID. So our intentions are when we have the stone setting next spring , we will also have the Celebration of Life. Irv would want us to be safe.
Last Sunday I double masked after driving to Chicago and flew from O'hare to Atlanta where I have spent the past week with my daughter and her family. It has been wonderful to be together even in these uncertain times. We know there is a false sense of security surrounding us but we are together. Sometimes we need to feed our hearts as well...
Happy Mother's Day to all those who mother. Virtual hugs.
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