The last Friday of spring dawned gray over the rabbit patch. I dismissed my plans to mow as it was damp and grass will clump and look untidy under such conditions. It was a good time to pull grass from around the flowers and I did so for a while. I watched the clouds passing over the rabbit patch. There was no hurry in them-and I knew it meant rain. At that moment I had a notion to make a cake.
I called a few friends . They agreed that it was a good day to eat cake. We decided on a time-which was “afternoon”,so no one would have to worry about being late-(there is no “late” at the rabbit patch.) I gathered what I needed to make a chocolate raspberry cake, and then I took to the woods for elderberry. I was determined to fill a vase with those fragrant, graceful blossoms that the Irish hold so dear. The woods were “lovely, dark and deep” but that did little to comfort me. I kept a watchful eye out for snakes and regretted not inviting Cash on the venture, quickly. I found wild strawberries and blackberries. They have a sinful amount of thorns but I cut some anyway. They scratched me without mercy and I disturbed a family of rabbits in the process. They made such a ruckus in the bramble, I was convinced it was a snake and it took me a minute to recover. I cut some honeysuckle and thought how pretty that would be with the elderberry. I was halfway down the path and hadn’t seen elderberry, but I smelled it. It was getting hot and mosquitoes were buzzing about. I knew my friends did not expect me to take such measures, but elderberry has a short season of blooms, and there is nothing else like them. I hoped I didn’t get ticks-or redbugs. Thank goodness I am not allergic to poison vines. I finally found the elderberry. It was growing in a thicket so overgrown that I don’t even think the rabbits could get through it-let alone me. I resorted to roses and gardenias, which were growing in more civilized places. I had gathered quite a bouquet and knew it would require a large vase. I arranged them while the cake was cooking.
The kitchen floor was littered with small leaves and twigs, and I was a mess- and needed to check for ticks. Somehow I got the floor scrubbed and myself presentable by afternoon. Things took a turn, and Rae was the only one that made it. We ate a lot of cake on little china plates- being I had gone to so much trouble and we talked a good long while. I have been knowing Rae almost thirty years. Our children were young then, and so were we. There is an “understanding” between us and mere words won’t do it justice, but it is beautiful and solid-it is genuine and precious and my heart is grateful for it.
We strolled leisurely around the rabbit patch afterwards. I showed her the acres of clary sage in the fields behind the barn. I also showed her the sad state of the garden. I learned that she calls running vinca “snow on the mountain” and I like that name better. I showed her the “see through” flowers. As we strolled from flower to flower, we wondered aloud about some things. There is no risk when we speak our truth. A friendship, that has spanned decades, is of great comfort. Life changes are unsettling no matter your age. I often say, that now that the kids are grown up, I feel as if I am fourteen again, unsure of how to proceed and needing to find my identity all over again.
The sky was silver over the rabbit patch when Rae left. Light had changed very little over the course of the day and it truly seemed timeless without shadows and sunlight. I went back in the kitchen. It was a pretty table after all, even without the elderberry. I washed the china plates and felt happy as I did it. Only, the cake tattled that a wonderful occasion had taken place earlier, right here in the kitchen, while the clouds passed over the rabbit patch.
Such a poetic post, I feel as I’m actually there, sat at your table as a silent guest too shy to speak up, but welcomed nevertheless x
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You can speak up ! I have no judgement left in me-haha! in youth, weknow it all-when we actually know a little something in later years, we realise how much we don’t know about anything! I am sure your thoughts are beautiful and would love a long walk and a lot of cake with you!
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I love reading these so much. Maybe one day soon, I’ll be able to get over there and see how much has changed since the last time I was there.. take care
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can’t wait! some things got better and some are worse! haha! love you!
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I was there too, next time make a bigger cake, for all the silent guests, i have a feeling you might have a few
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oh I love that-we did sing happy birthday to all having a birthday all over the planet! we really did!
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awwh-that is a beautiful thought. We did sing happy birthday to anyone on the planet having a birthday! we really did!
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This was absolutely Wonderful!
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Thank you I am going to your blog next-I have been so busy, but look forward to it! You are so kind to me with your lovely words!
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Beautiful!
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Thank you-what a nice thing to say!
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Feel like I was right there…smelling the roses and the gardenias…and tasting the cake!!!!
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It was so nice-all excepting not finding elderberry after all the obstacles-haha! hope you are better! Thnk you as always for your sweet support-my loyal reader and friend!
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What a lovely story. I felt like I was out picking those flowers with you. How wonderful to eat homemade cake with such a friend. Thank you.
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it was a dear time and I felt so honored to spend some of my life in such fashion! Kings do not live better.
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Good Morning, I have nominated you for the 3 day quote challenge. I can’t wait to see your quotes God bless you on this small Journey
Wilhelmina
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Lovely post…u have such an art to make the whole scene live and happening in front of my eyes…u actually made me relish the cake through the post…:)
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thank you-You always do my heart good when you comment- I so appreciate you taking that time-it means a lot.
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your pieces are always so full of hope and promise with a bit of mystical, woodsy magic thrown it; I love them…………..they bring peace to my soul. thank you for sharing…………….
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well, I do believe in all of that! Thank you sweet lady and please let me know about that book!
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A lovely bit of poetic prose! I think I was there too…better set out a few more chairs next time 😉
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wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could have such a visit! So glad to meet you through blogging! Thank you for stopping by the rabbit patch and leaving sweet words!
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