In Wonder
Let me just say that, as it turns out, traveling with an almost-nine-month-old is much easier (and significantly more fun) than traveling with an almost-five-month-old. At least when you’re dealing with our kid. There’s a lot more sleep. A lot more laughing. You might even (gasp!) get to relax and enjoy yourself a bit.
A week ago we headed east to pay my brother and brother-in-law a visit out in Massachusetts. There was a LOT of trepidation going into the whole affair, but things went beautifully. Highlights included:
• Going blueberry picking and then using said berries to make up a blueberry pie
• Scheming on some multi-generational living on a family farm
• Seeing Remi’s face light up in absolute wonder as we walked through the forest
That last point is the one that I’ve been holding closest. At our house, the view is all sky, sky, sky - so seeing leaves and boughs overhead was a whole new experience for our little Rem. Wide-eyed and smiling he sang his way through our adventures with a soft, infectious joy.
I have questioned, a few times, over these many months just what I was thinking in bringing a kiddo into our lives - but sweet Remi. He reminds me why again and again and again. Thank goodness for his dear heart.
Unfortunately, the fun came to a rude and abrupt end the night we got home as we all got sick with COVID. After carefully staying healthy all this time, it’s hit hard and we’ve spent the past few days lying low.
At this point Eric is almost all the way better. Remi is recovering visibly by the hour. I’m still in the thick of it though, unfortunately. I’ve been sick so much this year, never quite making it back to full health before I find myself low again, and I’m finally drawing the line. I can’t go on like this, it’s no way to live! Health is taking more of a priority from here on out.
I shared these photos on Instagram yesterday, of my current project (or obsession, if you will), but I’m putting them here, too, because I’m just so excited. I’ve got this idea in my head for a necklace that tells the story of this long, wet, unusual summer we’ve had - this summer that I feel like I’ve viewed mostly from indoors.
Everything springs from these picture jasper stones, cut in this unusual form. I shaped them first with a trim saw, then the flex shaft - and they were polished to a shine on the cabbing machine. I imagined them first as stylized storm clouds - but Eric said they reminded him of old tombstones. Either image works for me, to be honest.
Anyhow, imagine with me - these stones set in silver. Turquoise beads streaming in gentle arcs below, a dust-colored velvet ribbon to sit around the neck. Rain and heat, the grass slipping from green to gold. Ooo the shivers. When I’ve got the energy to do more than sit in bed, I’m going to be ALL OVER this beauty.
