“You got a minute?” The question was a simple one. And this was not the first time she asked. No, it wasn’t. And how many times had my response been, “I’m running late.” or simply “Tomorrow.” All of which meant I did not have a minute, much less a few of them. But today the question compelled me to respond differently. Today time turned a corner, yes, slowed to a crawl. And so I replied, “Yes, I do.”
I followed that lovely smile of hers as she turned and led me under a dense arbor then through a tall wooden gate and down a short rough stone stairway. The green expanse of a manicured lawn lay before me. To my right, a formal garden. A garden with boxwood & peonies & lupine. A garden right out of a picture book. She delighted in pointing out the various blooming flowers: Poppies, iris, bee balm, day lilies & hydrangeas. Every plant perfectly present in this idyllic setting. “It's an amazing year!” She exclaimed as she led me out the side gate. Chalking it all up to a heavy snowfall during the winter that protected all the flora & fauna on the East Coast. She also mentioned she never failed to mulch, lime & fertilize everything. Further down and outback were vegetables, lettuce, tomatoes and the sort, apple trees on the far end next to rows of peppers & potatoes.
Time goes by, moves on, loiters for no one. Too much time is a misnomer. Taking time. Finding time. Finding moments; more importantly, meaningful moments in life requires perhaps a naive vigilance or patient presence, or for lack of a better word, curiosity.
Spontaneous? I have always been. Open? I certainly believe so. But do I get on the merry go round? I do! And the rat race? Time out! Let’s stop. Be. See. Yes— I look at you. You look at me. And with these curious new eyes, ears too, I’ll do my best to see and hear you. I will.
LOOKING GOOD: Local peaches & nectarines, especially the donut nectarines. Cherries, plums, pluots, we still have sour cherries! Try them, you will be surprised. Wild Maine blueberries, local blackberries, oh and figs- 3 varieties, and yes, there are still many marvelous melons. Tomatoes you ask? Yep, the time is now. And lettuce, squash, beans, beets. Yes! Beets baby, come on! Corn too! Local never looked so good. Never. And you know why.
