Slow update

My mind is busy with a lot of thoughts. I don’t have anything coherent to say. Connection is good though.

We found a new place to hike. We’ve been there twice now. It is very appealing and we’re discovering new things. It’s on Mount Desert Island. Close to a coffee shop we like to go to. Car charging in the parking lot. A beautiful gravel beach along one spur (the “Fern Trail”) and rock outcroppings with island views along the other spur (“the Shore Trail”). Lots of forest to pass through, some bog bridges, along some marshes, and through a meadow with old apple trees. I’m very excited about visiting this trail multiple times to experience the upcoming seasonal changes. The official title is Indian Point-Blagden Preserve, but I’m not a fan of that name. It’s not part of Acadia National Park, so will maybe be less crowded there during the summer.

I had a realization, kind of obvious, now that I think of it. I love feeling my knitwear. I just like feeling it against my skin, feeling it with my fingers. I was wearing some fingerless mitts today and I loved how they felt. I also love the feeling of vests. I’ve found myself absent-mindedly feeling the fabric, sort of like a child with a favorite blanket. Something about yarn, so amazing and comforting.

I am having a hankering to stitch again after a long hiatus (mostly devoted to knitting). Jude’s recent explanation of a quilt as a diary or journal, composed out of smaller pieces, broke something loose for me. I need to make a design wall. And just start working with my fabric scraps. Trusting that something will come, although I don’t have a grand vision, not even close. Except I know I want to make a duvet cover. The one I had shredded apart beyond repair and I’ve been sleeping under a naked white duvet. Interesting, but not ideal as far as keeping it clean and protected, I think.

I’ve placed all my seed orders. And potatoes. Too much as usual. Somehow every year, I think it will be more manageable. We’ll see.

The chives are up! They are the first green things to appear in my world (except what’s already green, like the abundant mosses). Also the hazelnut catkins are lengthening and getting floppier. The willow trees are turning a delightful golden color. I haven’t seen any pussy willows beyond one intentionally planted in someone’s yard, but I know they’re out there. The robins are working in the lawns and fields. The Canadian geese are pairing up and looking around for nesting sites. And a blue heron was flying over on our walk this morning. The snow is still coming occasionally, but mostly going. It’s so important to me to notice local signs of spring. These are not the typical signs in more southerly areas, like snowdrops, cherry blossoms, and spring flowers. This is the way it is here. Slow.