Helleborus

Helleborus

I had never heard of this little amethyst gem before coming to Canada. I’m blessed that Faye planted this one in our backyard before we met, it’s a beautiful flower.

Done

Done

My marvellous, tireless, spirited wife has finished planting. One hundred plus hours in nine days. Faye is taking a well earned sleep-in this morning.

Sun dog

Sun dog

Stella spends more time laying in the sun these days. It undoubtedly feels good on her eleven year old self. though still pretty spry she’s a step slower, sleeps a little more. We all age and a part of the bargain of having dogs is that we watch them age and almost always have to let go of them before we ourselves go. I’m very rarely sad about her aging. It’s the way of things, the way of life and I accept it.

Morning, wheat field and bush, Lambton County

Morning, wheat field and bush, Lambton County

Wheeling and soaring

Wheeling and soaring

Twenty-five turkey vultures riding the wind. A beautiful sight.

Country traffic jam

Country traffic jam

Country roads can be crowded at this time of year. Just to the left of the planterer you can see a car in the oncoming lane. One has to be patient and that’s fine. It’s good to slow down.

Blessed

Blessed

I’m going to be quite busy for a few weeks. Faye has begun working for a farmer, plantiing Brussels sprouts and peppers. This isn’t the first year she has planted. Long hours, long days, made longer by our late-arriving spring and wet May. The farmer planned to begin three weeks ago and because of our very wet weather only started the day before yesterday. There’s a lot of catching up to do.

Yesterday Faye went to work before 0700 and returned about 2100. Today will be the same as will the next two or three weeks. I am awed by her toughness, her endurance, her willingness to do this very hard work. It would be perfectly understandable if after such a long day Faye unintentionally became short, snippy, snappy, mean – she does not.

At these times I’m very forcefully reminded of all that she does to keep our home going. Feed and walk the dogs, cook, bake, shop, put out the trash and recycling, laundry, dishes. Most especially our garden. We have an amazing vegetable garden and Faye’s done the overshelming majorty of the planning, prepping, digging, seed starting, planting, maintaining.

For the next few weeks I will attempt to fill in and do all of these things. This time reminds me how incredibly lucky, blessed, I am that my partner is kind, generous, thoughtful, and the most amazing dynamo.

Thank you.