When I moved to this property there was a huge garden with 4 raised beds - 2 full of strawberries and 2 empty. PLUS 6 somewhat viable fruit trees and 3 dead fruit trees. My travels to Colorado last June did not do any of the garden much good and realizing that between travel and work, the garden was more burden than pleasure, I removed it. See here and See here for the garden demolition history.

BUT… the rhubarb somehow survived the backhoe, the shuffling of topsoil and the winter.

…I know…a smudge on the camera lens - I cleaned it off…

The garden from the “rhubarb” end…

It’s ready!!!

I picked a bunch, washed it, started chopping it up and then the phone rang…

Bill…and I know I’ve missed writing a bunch of detail, but that’s the way it goes…short story is that by fits and starts and incredible angst, a lot of tears, some rending of garments and beating of breasts - actually a lot of heart to heart tallking and always one of us unwilling to give up - and I love the man and he loves me. And while I would not want to relive the last 2 months and do NOT recommend the method - we did discover some good stuff in the process. Summer in Montana - together - is the next step forward. If you missed Bill’s public comment on this blog - to me - on May 7 - and I’m not even making it easy….GO and use the calendar…It is beautiful and it is the basis for the May 8 beacon post… The man can wax poetic! And see what he does to me, I am completely off the topic of this post…

So, the phone rang and it was Bill and we were talking about this and that and I mentioned that I was taking a work break and had picked rhubarb from the “old” garden. He asked if I knew how to make rhubarb pie. And I said, “Yes, I know how to make rhubarb pie”. And he said I was amazing. And I got pretty much tingly all over because it is always nice to be considered amazing. And I think he also said I was surprising - that is good also. So we yacked some more and then time to hang up and go back to work.

So, I still had the rhubarb to deal with and I looked at it and honestly, I was pretty much over it for the moment and got to thinking about the fun of being amazing and surprising in person…so I put it in the freezer.

I put the rhubarb in the freezer so it will be there to make an amazing and surprising rhubarb pie when Bill and the Magic Bus and I get back to Montana!

The spot for the bus… yes, I am getting some nice pressure treated lumber for it to sit on. And hopefully, the grass will be filled in a bit more - soon!

…Oh - how are we - Bill, the Magic Bus and me - getting “back to Montana” ??? …the road to love can have its share of bumps and turns… The original plan was that I would fly to Florida and we would make the trip back together - that is a mutual preference. But my work schedule, pets, general behindness…and his lack of need to work (retired), no pets, i.e. nothing he HAS to do…the plan evolved a bit to Bill, all by his lonesome, rolling the Magic Bus westward, with me renting a car one way to meet him in South Dakota and do the last western bits together. The timing is still up in the air as there are some maintenance items on the Magic Bus that require attention, but that is the current plan.

The rhubarb is in the freezer.

Skywatch Friday which is hosted by Tom Wigley on his blog Wiggers World

Northern Light…not “lights” - I would LOVE to get a photo worthy of posting of the Aurora Borealis, which I have seen only once…but this post is about Northern Light which at my latitude of 48 North means sunrise at 5:50 and sunset at 9:11 and another month to go until the Summer Equinox so sunrise is ever earlier and sunset ever later until at the equinox there is light in the sky as late as 11 p.m. and as early as 4 a.m. … really, we have no need for Daylight Saving Time here - enough of the daylight already!!!

But, yesterday morning very early and me, too impatient to get a tripod, but looking at a beautiful dawn about to happen, well, see for yourself…

And much later yesterday - 8:45 p.m. U.S. Mountain Daylight time - the setting sun with no clouds to block its rays, shines on the top of the trees casting them in gold…

And a bit of follow up… Mental Pause Mama and my friend Kris identified the bird in the Pond Post as a Yellow Headed Blackbird. See the original post for more….

Sara left these Heart Strings for me. The card that came with says: “This whimsical string of beads and charms will bring peace, harmony and abundance into your life. Hang the string by a door so the movement in and out of your home will stir the bell and cause it to ring.

Each charm and bead has symbolism:

Donut - the continuity of life

Leaf - abundance and success

Bear - strength and courage

Hand - faith and sincerity

Heart - affection

The Bell - focus of the mind

I believe in the power of positive thinking - in having the vision of what we would like our lives and our everydays to be like. Vision can be a powerful tool. When we know what we want in our lives, we do a better job of making the choices that help get us there as well as saying no to those things that are not part of what we want.

I look at this Heart String and remember the giver as well as what each charm and bead symbolizes. It helps to remind me what is important - focus, affection, faith and sincerity, strength and courage. When those things are the focus, abundance and success are mine. The continuity of life - the circle of life - a reminder that this earthly life is not all there is.

My Heart Strings are hanging in my office across from my morning reading chair and by the sliding door to my back yard. I see it when I am quiet at the start of the day and think on those things it represents. The string is stirred by the movement through that door - a reminder during my work day. And - it is pretty on the wall - it brings to mind the friend who gave it - heart strings from one to another.

**note added…several have emailed me asking about where to purchase. These are made by Susan Walters, susan.walters@gmail.com . She will make custom strings as well.

I know these last posts have not been exactly riveting, but between getting settled in the house, working, appointments in town…time for thinking profound thoughts has been at a minimum.

Since I’ve been back the temperature has ranged from mid-70’s to below freezing. It has been cool enough since I’ve been in the house for a fire in the woodstove, but I just didn’t have time to get wood in or even sit in front of a fire if I made one…until last night. It was off and on rainy, sleety yesterday and forecast to stay the same overnight and tomorrow. The house was chilly and I was done with work so I made a few trips to the woodpile and started a small, cozy fire.

Crackly, comfy, cozy fire…

Bob thinks so too.

It is supposed to be mid-80’s and maybe a record setting 90 later this week…Montana Spring!