Transitions

Things have really picked up around here lately. Colin has seen some changes in his work, and April is crazy for environmentalists in general. The weather has been less than awesome save for a few days of warmth. We saw a heavy snow a few weeks back and even yesterday we were faced with freezing rain. It dripped and half solidified on the magnolia branches and I was forced to remember the devastating late frost of last year...the one that killed our magnolia blossoms and most of New York's apple harvest with one swift cold bite. It's been a long winter here and I am welcoming any and all change, slow and sure as it is. The gardens are still mostly water logged, but I do have lettuce and spinach planted, and the catnip and chives are showing up to the game. Colin's grandpa gave me some plants that I hastily threw in the ground late last fall, and they are coming back up as well. The ground is warming, the frogs are peeping, and I can see the light. This morning I took an hour long riding lesson from one of Neil's caregivers. It included grooming and tacking up and a total reacquaintance with the saddle. On top of a very expensive and fancy Dutch warmblood named Ace. We walked and trotted and snuggled and lounged, but mostly we worked on transitions. Planting heels, closing hands, staying grounded and remaining focused to facilitate and absorb change.

It was the perfect metaphor to meet this April's needs.