I is for Imagine

I happened this morning upon an old blog post that fits the letter "I" perfectly, and so I am cheating today. A little post from this day in 2010...

Spring is making a valiant attempt at arrival. The skies have been sunny and clear for several days, the temperatures mild. The snow is melting and it was a wonderful day for a walk.

Since I was unable to take two sleeping, bootless girls out for a mud walk, I decided to go on an imaginary walk by myself. (Bear with me here. I don't get out much...) I pulled on my boots and jacket, and trudged through the thick, slushy snow in the back yard and made my way to the orchard road. The trees were naked and cold looking, and I could see all the way to the lake from the top of the hill.

The Canada geese had left web-footed footprints in the soggy ground near the snow-covered pond. Though I had previously heard loud honking, the flock was nowhere to be found, only scattered feathers and goose droppings in the mud and snow.

Down a row of apple trees I met a stranger. I know better than to walk in the orchard alone, so I asked if he would accompany me but he just stared and waved me on without saying a word. A rather cold fellow I decided.

Though the sun shone bright, there was still a bitter, cold wind blowing off Lake Ontario. My ears were starting to ache deep inside and I put my mittened hands over them to warm them up and turned for home.

I was glad to get back inside and sit by the wood stove with a cup of hot tea. The girls were just starting to stir. One of them opened her eyes and said, "Martha, I'm hungry."

More "I" at ABC Wednesday.

H is for "Hello"

H is for "Hi" and "Hello".

This came to mind as I greeted people as I went into work at the nursing home today, but the point was hammered home as I sat with my friend. She cannot see and is often anxious. In her anxiety she constantly calls out, "Hello?" I answer patiently for the first couple of hours, but after just so many replies I begin to get creative, or stop answering every call. (Eight hours can be a long time...)

I attempted to engage her in conversation after lunch. "Tell me about your horses," I ventured.

"My divorces?" she replied.

"I said 'horses,'" I told her.

"Oh," she said, "I thought you wanted to hear about my divorces."

"Do you have some of those too?" I asked.

"No," she lied.

Join us for ABC Wednesday.

G is for Goofy

I asked the Cabinet Maker for a word that started with G. "Goofy," he replied. I'm not sure if he was referring to me or this game I play... ("Game," another word that starts with G.)

I will admit to being goofy, but being grown-up is really not much fun if one can not retain a bit of immaturity. Perhaps this is why I am drawn to small children, and also why they sometimes look at me funny.

For more ABC Wednesday, visit Mrs. Nesbitt and her friends here.