As “Happy as Larks”

~ rabbitpatchdiary.com

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Slowly, but surely the prelude to autumn glory is making its’ presence known.  Even the ragweed is pretty enough to write about.  It fills the ditches  and acts like a garland around the woodlands.  Ragweed does not have a good reputation, as many folks are allergic to it and are apt to get headaches, because of it-but the bright, deep yellow plumes are truly beautiful.  I do not know of anyone who cultivates the ragweed.  Ragweed, like wild violets, grow where they please.  I have some uninvited ones in a corner of the “Quiet Garden” growing with the roses.  The two are unlikely companions, but they are a striking pair, so I haven’t the heart to disturb them.

The landscape is the only proof that it is autumn.  It is so hot at the rabbit patch,  that I drug the window fan back out of storage.  Thunderstorms form in the afternoons, just as they do in summer, and bring relief to the hot and very humid afternoons.  This morning, I left my sweater home.  

I am at last, catching a “second wind” in my plight to fix the old farmhouse up.  I have  a  long list of projects-most involve paint . . .and muscle.  Christian and I rearranged some furniture this past weekend and discarded a shabby daybed in the process.   I found a chair in my “barn collection” to bring in the house, too.  The chair needs painting and so if I am buying paint, I may as well make it worth my while.  It is hard to complete big projects, when you have a job and “run the roads” on the weekends, as my daddy always said.

 Daddy did not believe in “carrying on” in such ways, when I was young-and “could” “run the roads”.  How many times he accused me of “using the house as a hotel”.  I laugh at that now, as I never did that-he didn’t allow it.  I had the earliest curfews of any of my friends and excursions were limited to weekends.  Looking back, he saved me a lot of grief, in all likelihood.  I did a lot of complaining at my “pitiful lot” in life, back then.  Now, I thank God for it.  I truly was born “with a silver spoon in my mouth” on account of my parents. . .and their love for me has never wavered but abides today.

Another list, on my mind, as of lately is the “Christmas list”.  I have already bought several presents.  They are stored in the  trustworthy “Christmas Closet”  at the rabbit patch -which has never given up one secret.  I have always bought  “along the way” for Christmas.  It helps my budget and avoids a last minute quandary  in December.  I love to shop at Christmas, but not in desperation.  Thankfully, my children have never really ask for anything.  We are as ” as happy as larks” to drink fine coffee after a good meal.  We always watch “It’s a Wonderful Life” too.  I like to think about Christmas, when the house smells like pine.

I continue to work on the cello.  I lose all track of time when I am practicing.  At last, the cello feels at least, familiar to me  now.  I played a song for the kindergarten classes and they applauded . . . as if they had never heard “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”.  

Children spend a good deal of time celebrating, I thought.  They celebrate pretty rocks and dandelions quite naturally, without being taught to do so.  In October, children collect pretty leaves and share them with one another.   The youngest children live life authentically and do not waste precious moments “putting on airs”.  They are too busy gathering acorns and feathers . . .in October.    I hope I never get too sophisticated to do such things.  How dreary life would be, to lose all sense of wonder.

   Dear Diary,  I am glad for the early autumn landscape .  I am glad for the wisdom of those before me-and the ones after me too. . .and  I am glad for simple tunes and old chairs to rest in.

 

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The old chair to rest in, needs painting.

  

 

55 thoughts on “As “Happy as Larks””

  2. Michele, in high school my parents also gave me an early curfew PLUS my Papa had to meet dates before we went out. Needless to say, none of the guys ever tried any funny stuff! Back then I thought my parents were over the top strict, but I knew that they cared! ✨💜😎💜✨

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  6. Your first concert on the cello! Congratulations! How marvelous that you had an appreciative audience! I’d love to learn to play the hammered dulcimer, but I’m no nearer now than when I got out daughter Lise’s flute and left it sitting in the living room beside the unpracticed piano.

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    1. It is not too late Sweet Anne. It was so sweet that they applauded and were so enthusiastic-it really did encourage me to keep on. I am constantly thinking of things I want to do! It is an odd list but when the glorious time of retirement gets here-I AM READY!! thank you

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  9. This is possibly one of the loveliest things I’ve read today. Sigh. My parents too were protective and you are right. It was a gift, although maybe not as well received at the time. I love hearing about the landscape and weather around you. So lovely…my 10 yo is showing signs of being allergic to SOMETHING. 😦 I’m wondering about the ragweed. We tend to be people who don’t “do” lots of medicines and doctor’s visits unless we REALLY need it. But I had to give him some allergy medicine because his eyes were so bad and he was sneezing so much. Poor guy. That is so wise about how you Christmas shop. I *have* done that in the past, but let it fall aside. Now I’m starting the process and it’s fun, but I know it will be busy now to get everything ready. I LOVE what you said about your family, coffee, conversations, and sharing a movie together. That is so nice. We keep our children’s gifts to a minimum…erring on thoughtful or literature or crafts/games instead of plastic-y toys, but they still get SO much from relatives. My family is very gift orientated and so I need to figure out how to combat that a bit…my husband’s family is more homemade and we pick names too since it’s so large. We have his sister’s family of 6 and we are having a lot of fun planning and making a few things for them. I need to make a little list though and really work on getting a bit of a start so I can actually enjoy the season!

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    1. gosh we are so much alike! My kids got books art supplies and musical instruments on occasion-very small gifts and still do! None of us like the hype and commercialism-for us it is a spiritual holiday and so magical too! Good luck with family-that was always hard for me too. Lyla too has had very small amount of gifts! I am so thankful for that! I am sorry about your son-we do not do medicine either unless we HAVE too. I am thankful for it when it is needed. Thank you my dear friend!! U am so glad we met. love Michele

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  11. It sound like you had the same type of parents I had Michele! I used to grumble back then but we raised our boys the same way….and yes they grumbled too! It will be interesting to see how they raise the grandkids.
    I totally agree that we should never lose our childlike sense of wonder. Life is so much fuller when acorns are magical and life is a celebration.

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  12. What a beautiful, peace filled, magical post, dearest Rabbit.
    I felt each word and loved each sentence.
    The chair … is beautiful, and especially so with the throw on it, for it speaks of warmth, book reading, contemplation and you. And since I love you, I love the chair too.
    Sending you lots of love ~ Cobs. xxx

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  13. Loved your reference ‘unlikely companions’ as I find many of this description in nature and in our human relationships! Nice story and I love autumn!

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  14. Sounds as if you are having a wonderful Fall, despite the heat. I’m one of those folks who is allergic to ragweed, but I do agree that it is pretty. And I just take my Claritin, and then I’m pretty good!

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  15. Honestly, I think I can offer you some guilt-free, irritation-free enjoyment of your “ragweed.” What you describe sounds very much like goldenrod. It’s goldenrod that has the beautiful yellow plumes. Ragweed’s not so exuberant, and its flowers are more green than yellow. Here’s a nice article that has photos for comparison.

    The good news is that the pollen grains of goldenrod are so large they can’t get into our airways and irritate us. It’s ragweed that makes everyone sneeze. If what’s growing in your garden has lovely yellow plumes, it’s goldenrod, and can be welcomed without fear!

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  16. I love to see how children marvel at the simplest things in our world… blowing bubbles, feeling grass for the first time, watching them when they see a doggie or cat … and so many other small things that go so unnoticed when we get older… Diane

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    1. We really ought “to become as a child” again. We gather way too much unnecessary stuff along the way-a lot it useless. Children seem on a mission to discover good things. thank you friend-sure hope you are having a lovely October! love Michele

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  17. Like the comment above from writerwannabe, my entire being responded to your description of children in October; you captured them perfectly; and the kindergarteners captured my heart when I read your words, …”they applauded . . . as if they had never heard “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”.” What delight young ones are.

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  18. Oh, Michele!! Your words are balm to my soul! How special you are. Do you know you have discovered the key to stay happy in this world? And that is to focus on the little stuff and see with your eyes the Glory that is all around us. Just LOVED reading this post!! And good for you for playing the cello, not an easy undertaking by far! I knit and crochet and I’d like to think I create in “rhythm” my magic that I end up giving as gifts. Right now I’m knitting a baby blanket designated for one of our Vets whose baby is due in November. Thank you so much for stopping at Petals which of course led me here to read your journal. BIG (((HUGS))) Amy 🍁

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  20. Oh yes how dreary indeed!! I never want to be more sophisticated than a child’s mind…that’s where the true happiness lies! I can see the difference in your floor now between pics it came out beautiful…what a wonderful paint job you did…give yourself a pat on the back…if it’s not too sore!! I love that “Christmas Closet” and it hasn’t given up secrets yet. I know what you mean about losing track of time when you are playing the cello, that happens to mean when I am practicing the piano. What a lovely creation music is…I can’t imagine the world without it! Enjoy your shopping, love Deb xo

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  21. Like you I am thankful to my parents for a wise upbringing although it felt strict at the time. I love your chair. It is a beauty. Such a lovely tune to play on the cello. Enjoy.
    I have not forgotten your request for “weird” posts. I am working on a series…😉

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  22. With children, “everything old is new again.”
    How sad it is that too many “grown-ups” lose sight of the value of Wonder.
    I am thankful it will never be me.

    Seek peace (and Wonder),

    Paz

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