Friday, March 22, 2024

Lesson 839: Miracles

Good evening, Readers.
Eloise writes at night,
but I'm greeting you this weekend
with a morning sky.


Spectacular sunrise.


The timing of the sunrises in March
coincide with most of the first shift workers,
in particular the school folk--
when we are getting ready for the day.

We catch the sunrises because they demand our attention.
When we pay attention,
we notice all the little miracles 
around us.


March and the miracle of growth--


it's amazing given our weather.


One day like this,


and the next like this.


This capture is the young maple orchard
at Hurry Hill Farm in Edinboro, PA.


We visited last weekend
for some tasting


and a tour.












The tour is an out-and-back walk from the parking lot.

I recommend walking one way to 
enjoy the reading material


and catching a ride back 
on the tractor
or horse drawn carriage.

When the Bookmobile shows up at an event

you know it's bound to be a good time.

I was a bit of a celebrity as I flashedaround

the Rolling Ridge Elementary library copy

with a 1956 copyright.

 

Virginia Sorensen won the Newbery Medal

for her book in 1957,

so our copy doesn't have the gold seal 

on the cover.


The main building has a lovely museum
and gift shop to explore.



The first edition of the book that made 
our little Edinboro, PA famous.


They also have some of the original artwork.


The Newbery Medal was given to the museum
for permanent display.


The museum guide even let me hold it!
After some bookish-history-loving chatting with her,
I found she was a retired Gifted Education teacher.



Also worth checking out 
is the neighboring farm--
also producers of syrup


and home to this farm


and buffalo herd.



Not to mention a couple of cute donkeys.


The rest of the week was spent nursing poor Penny!
She hurt her paw 
and needed a trip to the Emergency Vet.
Just a sprain and she is on the mend.



Enjoy your weekend, Readers.
Grit through the last of the cold, Erieites.
Warm days ahead.

Eloise





Friday, March 15, 2024

Lesson 838: Architect


Good evening, Readers!

Who is an architect?


One who is qualified to create buildings


and plan for their design and construction.


Who is the greatest architect
who builds the animals


and provides for their needs?




Who constructs the moon?


Who is more qualified to brush-paint such beauty 
in the birth of the day?


The completions


are always



works in progress.




From seed


to bud


and back again.

I spent my Snow-Day-Not-Needed
with these two in Edinboro.
We ate at the Flip Cafe--
a quirky little find on the corner on the main drag.

I played Kacey Musgraves new album
 for them
as we drove the town in my Mom-Van.
I was excited to share the newly released music
to show that I was keeping up with things
outside of the garden world.

Yeah, said Ellen.
Chris (nephew with a beat on everything) already sent it to me this morning.
Beaten, once again.

You can find my favorite song 
from Kacey Musgrave's album,
Deeper Well,
at the end of this blog.


But before I close for tonight,
some book news.
I've shaken my Book Hangover,
as I found myself in that restless spot
after finishing The Great Alone.




And then I couldn't find anything
 good to read
 after it.

Until these.
I loved them both!



Kacey Musgraves is a great lyricist.
Here are the words in my favorite form
(written).

"The Architect"

Even something as small as an apple
It's simple and somehow complex
Sweet and divine
The perfect design
Can I speak to the architect?

And there's a canyon that cuts through the desert
Did it get there because of a flood?
Was it devised or were you surprised
When you saw how grand it was?

Was it thought out at all
Or just paint on a wall
Is there anything that you regret?
I don't understand
Are there blueprints or plans
Can I speak to the architect?

Sometimes, I look in the mirror
And wish I could make a request
Could I pray it away
Am I shapable clay
Or is this as good as it gets?

One day, you're on top of the mountain
So high that you'll never come down
Then the wind at your back
Carries ember and ash
That burns your whole house to the ground
Is it thought out at all
Or just paint on a wall
Is there anything that you regret?
I don't understand
Are there blueprints or plans
Can I speak to the architect?

I thought that I was too broken
And maybe too hard to love
I was in a weird place
Then I saw the right face
And the stars and the planets lined up

Does it happen by chance
Is it all happenstance
Do we have any say in this mess?
Is it too late
To make some more space
Can I speak to the architect?

This life that we make, is it random or fate
Can I speak to the architect?

Is there an architect?

Here is what one entertainment blogger's interpretation of them.

article by Kayleigh Shaw CLICK HERE

And here are the words in my second favorite form

(sung).Kacey Musgraves on Jimmy Fallon CLICK HERE 

Eloise