Well, it's late February and lately all I've been thinking about is cycles. Not as in "motorcycles", though those are very cool. Rather cycles in ones' life. Like how it is when we are young and can live/eat/play where ever whenever. And now that I am in my forties, how that has changed. I would rather live, and eat home MOST of the time (not always, though!) and play seems to happen for me more on weekends now if at all, which I am o.k. with.
Also what comes into question is our love cycles. Like, when we first meet someone, everything we see in that person is amusing, fun, good. Then after awhile, they can become, well, less than amusing. Sure, you still love that person, and then something magical happens- be it a glance, an action, a random touch- that brings it all back again. I have NEVER been fickle in love. On the contrary, I tend to try to make things work for sometimes much longer than that relationships cycle should have lasted. And why not try? Once I love someone, it is usually for life, no matter to what level I have shared with that person. I still love many of my ex's - not IN love with them, but once someone takes hold in my heart, the roots go very deep. I cherish that. I think it makes my life even more full. A few of my friends fill that same area in my heart.
And then there is the life cycle. A few weeks ago I visited my grandma in her nursing home. She has dimentia now. I was so excited toting my daughter to see her GREAT grandma. I told her about how grandma forgets from time to time, and how she'll repeat herself or ask you the same question. I think Olivia was just fascinated to see someone in her 90's! But I am not going to remember her as a 90 plus year old. I am going to remember her as the animated, good soda and ice cream mixer upper, honey and oatmeal facial wearing (every night!), and painter of L'Eggs panty hose eggs for Easter with great surprises in them grandma. And though I'm sure her husband, my grandpa, is patiently waiting for her on the other side to continue their journey's together, I am happy to be around for her last bit of time, her final cycle.
And life will go on to begin a new cycle

Gardening

All right, I confess, I am (not) a closet gardener! And when I got my seed catalog from D. Landreth Seed Company, I almost... well, lets just say, I got excited!! Landreth is the OLDEST seed house in America- since 1784 to be exact! It is chock full of history and heirloom veggies and fruit, as well as herbs. That's what I may use my flower boxes for this year- herbs!
And I've been thinking about my front yard, and how to plant it (and rearrange it) this spring. It's got to be kid friendly, as we play in the front yard in the summer. It has to be hardy (did I remember to water?), and also attractive. I look through landscape books for shrubs and plants for ideas.
And I also have my seed catalog. :)