Slept till almost 10 this morning — no kids coming downstairs to “give you a morning kiss, Mom!” (that’s Don) or ask “Can I ...?” something or other (that’s Barney).

I was dreaming about taking a gallon-pail full of gingerbread cookies to Bill Richardson, the broadcaster and author, who in the dream was my high school teacher. But I couldn’t find the school and couldn’t find his phone number in the phone book to call and apologize for not making it. I knew he’d been waiting and would be disappointed. Oh, the stress. As I made my way through the city at night, I stopped at two homes for directions: one lived in by two men, one by two women.

There was a note scribbled on an envelope propped up on the computer keyboard when I got upstairs:

“See you later Sweetie”

Little things mean a lot.

Farmbeau didn’t kiss me goodbye before he left for work, but this will do.

I am in a heaven of glory, living here, living on this planet.

Last night Farmbeau dashed home and asked me if I’d like to go with him back to a job where he had to spend another half-hour smoothing wet cement. I went along and while he worked, I walked out to the small lake that was beckoning me to come, come! It was a gorgeous evening and my heart literally swelled with pleasure and gratitude as I followed the little bird that was determined to lead me far away from its nest. I looked out over the shimmering calm water and listened to some kind of duck -- a mud hen, I think -- peeping anxiously as it floated away from the tall grasses next to shore. It sounded like a nervous floor that just can’t restrain itself from squeaking excitedly.

There was a nice growth of some kind of tall yellow daisylike flowers in the ditch, among gaillardias (I call them brown-eyed susans) and a stand of fireweed out of my rubberbootless reach.

We passed this windmill out in a field on our drive home. Must have been someone’s farmyard out there once. I noticed another two or three old windmills before the drive was done. They don’t appear to be in use and I wonder when they were. Before electricity came to these parts?

This little gal — Farmbeau called her a pheasant; she looks like a partridge to me; maybe they’re the same thing? — seemed to think that if she just stood still at the side of the road, we wouldn’t see her. She didn’t blink as we backed the truck up, rolled down the driver’s window, and snapped two photos of her.

I walked yesterday afternoon just outside the yard, next to the hay bales on the hill. The variety of wild flowers (commonly called weeds) growing there is astounding and I am taken by a hungry urge to know what they all are and how they can be used for health and healing and yes, okay, I’m interested in other sorts of magical spells they might be used for, too.

The Standing People came in the mail and I have read it cover to cover and begun using it to identify wild plants. Now, I notice them more than ever and am curious to know their names and fascinated by their unassuming beauty, kept from me like a secret all these years by my own blindness. A moreorless placid passion is becoming vitally ardent.

This is a sprig of baneberry. The berries are sometimes white, and called “dolls’ eyes.” Don’t eat them.

A morning walk around the bush near the house provided the first course of breakfast, a handful of indigo saskatoons followed by a handful of ripe red raspberries. Stinging nettles stand taller than I along the path to the garden.

Heaven. It’s heaven, I tell you.

A gift from dear Katherine, in Moab, just opened.
I see some fabric and am so thrilled I can't tell you --
and roasted plum tomatoes!
and what is the cob made of dry leaves --
some kind of sage?

Gorgeous fabric
scarf and woven quilted piece
i love these colours
and will make sure they are where i can see them
as a matter of fact my tack jar better be ready any moment
god only knows what could happen

On goes the Mimosa Blossom Dream Cream! (under my nose first)
It's to die for
Next, the African Shea Butter
straight to my 'souls'

It so happens that today I pulled my jewellery box off the top of the dresser, dug out a few of my favourite things, and adorned myself from head to toe with more ear rings, bracelets, rings, anklet, and lapis lazuli necklance.

I am blessed with beautiful things, and beautiful, generous friends.

Love,
Kate

np: Alanis Morissette, Jagged Little Pill
which doesn't fit my mood one bit!
for I am in a perfect luxury of peace and plenty

why, Bill Richardson even emailed about last night’s dream
i knew it! he’s a dreamer too
but then, aren’t we all