It seems to me there is a trade-off for most every change we make. We hopefully trade up, as in we gain more than we release. A change in jobs, or a different career, a new home, a marriage, having the surgery, a new car, ending a relationship, the bargain lawn mower, getting a puppy, or putting in a garden. Sometimes, as we all know, the trade up does not go quite as we’d hoped.
Maybe even raising our kids is a trade-off. The years of wonder, stress, and joy of raising them the best we could. Then when they are grown, they go off and do their own thing. Sometimes far away from us. The success is that we gave them all we could, they are independent and autonomous people. Yet they are hundreds of miles away, perhaps even on a different continent! When one of my neighbors said he didn’t care that his kids moved away, it meant he would have a smaller house to take care of, I was taken aback. Okay then, different strokes for different folks.
A few evenings ago, there was a golden sunset filling the horizon. I watched a large seagull swoop and loop over my neighborhood for nearly ten minutes. I did not see him flap his wings once. Such elegant lifts and turns and circles. Was he simply doing it for the joy of it? Swoop and sail for the sheer delight? A seagull enjoying being alive? How wonderful to see.
So, this champagne mango I bought. I justified the high price as it was Mother’s Day and I deserved a treat. The trade-off? Not so much, I have to smile. The skin was tough to cut through, the pit inside was huge (gutli is its actual name) and getting the fruit off of it was a nuisance. Just so you know, being called champagne did not make it a genuine treat.
And now I have foxgloves as tall as I am. Yay-hoo! I can hardly wait until they bloom.
Yes, the book is coming along, I’m excited. Publication planned for June 12. You’ll be hearing about that!
Thank you for reading~
Jennifer taylor
May 17, 2022 at 3:25 pmMary, it is wonderful to hear from you. Where did you move to? know it is by the ocean, but where? Would love to come and visit sometime and catch up- your old friend Jennifer
Mary
May 17, 2022 at 3:51 pmGreat to see you, Jennifer! Lots to catch up on. Let’s chat.
Michelle Twigg
May 17, 2022 at 5:12 pmSome interesting thoughts there. You want your children to be independent but it feels sad that they are so busy that you don’t get to see them as much. Your neighbor’s comment seems sad.
Wouldn’t it be amazing to soar like those birds. No cares just fancy flight. Your foxgloves seem to like where you planted them. When I was a little girl I use to pick the flowers and suck the nectar out of them. Only when I was much older did I find out they have digitalis in that nectar!.
You must be so excited about your book. Can’t wait to read it.
Hope all is going well.đź’—
Mary
May 17, 2022 at 5:59 pmBest to you as well, Michelle. Thank you for your thoughts. Maybe my next writing trail to follow: Fancy Flight.
Joy Ross
May 17, 2022 at 6:53 pmYour musings bring smiles and connection. Thank you.
Mary
May 17, 2022 at 7:46 pmYou’re welcome, wondrous one. Merci bien.
LYNDA CONDON
May 19, 2022 at 2:40 amYes, Mary, your observations are right on! Each stage, each step, each decision brings us different results. Some are good and some not so. We know we can’t dwell in any of those places or events forever, but we learn and move on. I’ve learned and continue to learn so much from your musings. I will miss the foxgloves, but I just bought an orange tree and am looking for a lemon for my backyard. Gardening here will be a different experience for me without a doubt. The birds are different and I’m learning new names and they are fun to watch. Take care, my friend.
Mary
May 19, 2022 at 11:07 amFruit trees, Lynda! I hope you are enjoying your new world. So good to hear from you. Blessings on both of you, and Toto of course~
Allison
May 19, 2022 at 11:37 amMissing you and so happy that your foxgloves are blooming! Hugs, Allison
Mary
May 19, 2022 at 12:44 pmHi Allison~~ Happy Spring and good walking to you.
Donna M Rudiger
May 24, 2022 at 3:56 pmThis was a thought-provoking post, Mary. I love your Foxglove Sentinel! I read this post several times and finally realized today the blessings and joys that come to us in the most unusual and unexpected ways. Perhaps the “trade-offs” are actually “set-ups” for success! Keep writing!
Mary
May 24, 2022 at 4:00 pmThank you so much, Donna~ Wait till you see the foxglove in a couple more days, it is now even taller and the buds are starting to peek open. Ah, blessings. You, Ms. Poet, keep writing~