We usually begin our transition in May but this year I was needed a little longer in Florida. What a difference a few weeks makes. June is a great month to 'transition.'
By the time hubby and I packed up for the northern environs we experienced 95 degrees with 95% humidity daily. I do not mind the heat but the humidity makes one feel mildly limp as we slog through mud.
Almost immediately, upon exiting our train up north, we felt the first joy of our transition from South to North. We breathed in fresh air even though it was already quite hot in the early hours of the new day. Far less humidity has made a huge impact on our well-being.
The terrain of wide freeways and overpasses was not much different than our southern environs but once we left the suburbs surrounding D.C. we entered vast expanses of green, deciduous foliage. Breeze swept through the aged trees until we entered the much anticipated openness of endless farmland. Barns, hay, oats, animals and the vast patchwork of green, gold and brown reminded us of the place we’d left seven months earlier.
Even upon entering our lovely abode we embraced new spaces. Dark wooden floors, comfortable furniture, some over a century old. Our eyes rested upon familiar artwork as empty counters greeted us. I’d stored all our old, blue, ‘Ball’ jars in the fridge so the contents would remain edible. Small appliances, the pitcher filled with wooden spoons, cutting boards, containers to hold fresh produce, our little condiment tray, a Kleenex box and all those little do-dads that lay around were all neatly stored away.
We found we were slow to remember where we placed our beloved tools for daily living. We opened each cupboard, drawer and cabinet in the house as we hunted for the familiar. We are still hunting. Did we leave that in Florida? Did we place this in such a safe place that there is no way to find it? Was it that important?
And then the shopping. We eat very simply but purchasing the basics was a bit mystifying. Our local farmer was first on our list. Fresh everything we could find, so cheap and no preservatives, fully organic. Next, Costco. We buy in bulk as much as possible but hubby is the real shopper. He knows what is a bargain and what is best to purchase elsewhere. We only shop at three to four places but it was the list-making and the decisions that exhausted us.
And so we are now well ensconced in our home-sweet-home, ready to enjoy a little ‘down’ time. Our heavy work schedule was actually in Florida. Our ‘vacation’ is in the middle of Lancaster farmland. Amish mow the lawns, buggies vie for space on two-lane roads. Farmers plant corn where they just harvested oats and hay. Tractors, lawn mowers and the clip-clopping hooves of horse-drawn buggies sometimes drown out the melodious songs of a great variety of birds in the meadow at the bottom of our little hill.
I sit on my back porch and stare out at the vast expanse of farmland as I listen to happy sounds. Cool breezes make large tree limbs, filled with a variety of vegetation, seem like they are dancing. Mama birds flit about grabbing endless food for their greedy babies. How am I to get any work done? I’m mesmerized!
It’s still not warm enough to wear less than three layers before noon. I cautiously peel one layer at a time. By late afternoon I am ready to wear one layer as we take our daily walk around the neighborhood. The days are 15 hours long so there is plenty of time to work in the garden each day.
And then there are the gardens. We have back and front yard gardens, tiered gardens filled with perennials and the herb garden overflowing with green beauty, flowers, and an abundance of herbs that will keep us going for the next five years. Sometimes I think I should begin a small business to dry and sell herbs. Instead, I choose to cut back large bags full of Oregano, Tarragon, a variety of onions and garlic, Russian Sage, Cat mint, Spearmint and so much more.
The rose bushes are heavy with colorful blooms that smell divine as I poke my nose especially into the yellow ones. Garlic surrounds them so no aphids. Japanese beetles have yet to pop out of their nests as rain still floods the gardens with soft swigs of moisture. Our tiers of blooming perennials are so happy that I must cut back reams of foliage so we can see everything. Salvia, Laurel, Hastas galore, Salvia, reams of Hydrangeas on three huge bushes and variegated leaves of green invite the eye to swirl in all directions. Blue ‘climbing’ geraniums grow like weeds as they slither between larger bushes. Winterberry, such a glorious red in the winter, is fat with green berries. I have much to do simply to enjoy the beauty and trim a bit here and there.
The garden provides a place of beauty and purpose. In order to remain beautiful as the summer heat creeps in, we cut and dig and prune as much as possible. Watering will be our August chore but for now, we simply enjoy.
So, as we transition we also see our surroundings transition. From the plump and plentiful foliage and yellow, red and blue colors of spring flowers to the dryer stillness of deep summer, we look forward to the beauty of the massive trees that divide the farms. All too soon we will embrace fall colors, pumpkins, a golden landscape, much cutting back for winter and another time of transition.
I drink in every single moment because time flies faster than I can catch it. All too soon we will be in the midst of a transition that will return us to the South. I will joyfully enter into a very busy schedule down there as we share our lives with others. We do so all year but more-so when we return as ‘season’ begins in the Florida.
Church activities draw us into the lives of so many who seek more and who choose to grow more in their Christ-Journey. As we grow, we choose to help others grow. We can never grow enough, never know enough, never stop in our journey as we transition into the fullness of knowing God in Christ Jesus. We will never stop our transition while in this transitory place we call ‘the world.’
I love every minute, no matter where I am or what I am doing.
God is leading as I simply follow from one ‘transition’ to the next.
May we each enJOY the beauty around us, no matter where we are, and embrace any and all ‘transitions’ set before us.
God is Good,
Life is Good
We are Good . . . through any and all ‘transitions.’
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