FEED ME SEYMOUR

My son Alex and I were sitting on our back deck enjoying the late morning sun when we heard the frantic call of a bird. Looking around we saw a bird chasing another bird through the underbrush of our woods. While the one bird seemed to be trying to escape, the other frantically stayed hot on its trail. Its wings were flapping, mouth open, and the constant screaming for attention had us both wondering…

“What the heck are they fighting about?” I asked as we watched them now up in a tree hopping from one branch to another as the one tried to get away.

Alex sat up in his chair and laid his hand across his eyebrows to block the glare of the sun while he tried to watch their high speed chase. “Well, the one doing the chasing seems to be pretty upset.”

“But the one he’s chasing isn’t making a sound.” I shook my head in confusion. “It’s just trying to stay one step ahead of the crazy one.”

They were now on the same branch while one was sitting quietly the other was making a fuss, flapping it’s wings, it’s head tipped back, and it’s mouth wide open. That’s when the first bird leaned over and placed something in the other bird’s mouth.

“Oh, my gosh!” I cried. “That must be a fledgling!”

Alex looked over at me. “Really?”

“Now I recognize that frantic chirp!” I pointed to the birdhouse. “We’ve been listening to those same chirps for the last few weeks.” I looked back at the patient parent as it fed the baby again. “They’re out of the nest and flying now but Mom and Dad are still trying to teach them how to find food on their own.”

We watched as the adult landed on our bird feeder and took a few seeds before flying back to the tree limb the baby was on.

“Look at that! She’s trying to show her baby where the food is!” I couldn’t help but smile at the lesson she was trying to teach.

A few seconds later the baby bird tried to land on our feeder. But, instead of the smooth landing I’m sure Mom had been hoping for, her baby slammed into the feeder causing it to spin like a merry-go-round. Alex and I tried to contain our laughs as the baby held on for dear life crying out it’s complaints before breaking free from the spinning feeder to return to the tree branch without any seeds.

“That was a nice try.” I said as we listened to the baby continue with its complaints until once again the parent relented and leaned over to fed them again.

“Keep trying!” I called out to the baby. “Practice makes perfect!”

Alex nodded his head. “True.”

We sat back watching for several more minutes until Alex looked over at me. “Are you getting hungry?” He asked.

I shrugged my shoulders. “A little. Are you ready for some lunch?”

“I could eat.” Alex nodded. “What’s for lunch?”

I looked over at him and raised my eyebrows. “I don’t know. What are you having for lunch?”

Alex looked surprised. “Oh!” Then he started to laugh. “I think I saw some chicken salad in the refrigerator. Do you want me to make you a sandwich?”

“That would be lovely!” I said with a smile.

As Alex got up to go into the house I looked over at the Mommy bird who was still trying to teach her baby to feed itself. “Don’t worry my friend. You’re little one will get there.” I called out to her. “Just be patient!”

Alex started to laugh. “I heard that!” He called over his shoulder.

PLENTIFUL PEPPERS

I was still rubbing the sleep out of my eyes as I was walking into the kitchen when my husband Steven and son Alex came in the back door.

“Where have you two been?” I asked not even looking up.

“We were in the garden.” Alex said.

“Look at this!” Steven was holding out a tray of bell peppers.

I tried to stifle a yawn as I looked up. “Wow!” I reached for my tea kettle. “That’s a lot of peppers.”

“Oh, that’s not the half of it.” Alex said as he stood with his hands behind his back. “There’s just as many still on the plants outside!”

I put the tea kettle under the faucet and filled it up. “Remind me to pick up some onions at the store later and I’ll make batches of peppers and onions that I can freeze.”

“You won’t have to go to the store for those.” Alex smiled as he took his hands from behind his back and held out a half dozen onions. “We have those, too!”

“Oh…” I put the kettle on the stove. “I guess I can make them this morning then.”

“No problem.” Steven said as he took the tray over to the sink. “I’ll wash them up.” He looked over at Alex. “Why don’t you grab a cutting board and a knife?”

Alex went over and got the cutting board and put it on the counter top while Steven began rinsing the dirt off the peppers and onions.

I was leaning against the counter top, waiting for my tea water to boil, watching them get everything I’d need to begin cooking.

When Steven was finished rinsing everything he placed them on the cutting board, got out a frying pan and placed it on the stove while Alex took a knife and the olive oil out.

“Looks like we got everything.” He said as he came over and gave me a kiss on the forehead. “This is going to be great!”

He and Alex walked out of the kitchen while I was still leaned against the counter top waiting for my water to boil.

I looked over at the pile of peppers and shook my head. “Five minutes ago I was rolling out of bed with no idea I’d be cooking enough peppers and onions to last the winter.” I sighed.

I put my hair up in a ponytail and rolled the sleeves of my bathrobe up to my elbows.

Forty-five minutes later Steven came into the kitchen where I was standing at the stove sauteing the last batch.

“The house smells amazing!” He said as he looked over my shoulder and grabbed a pepper out of the pan. Blowing on it for a second he popped it in his mouth. “They taste so much better right out of the garden, don’t you think?”

I shook my head. “I don’t know. I haven’t tasted one yet.” I stirred the peppers one more time before tapping the wooden spoon on the side of the pan and putting it on the spoon rest.

“I can’t believe you haven’t tried one yet! I would think the smell alone would have you wanting to eat a whole bowl of them!”

I looked over at Steven and sighed as I shook my head. “I haven’t even had a cup of tea yet.” I reached over and felt the side of the tea kettle. “Well, that’s gotten cold.” I took it back over to the sink, dumped the cold water out and refilled it. Placing it back on the burner I turned it on and looked over at Steven. “Can I ask you a favor?”

“Sure!” He went over and got my favorite mug out of the cabinet and placed it next to the stove.

“The next time you go out in the garden and bring in a haul like this…” I pointed to the dozen freezer bags filled with cooked peppers and onions. “Can you at least wait until after I have a cup of tea and wake up first?”

Steven nodded his head as he reached into the pan and grabbed another pepper. “That seems fair.”

“Thanks.” I went over to the canister that held my tea bags and took on out. “I’d appreciate that.”

NATURE’S FIREWORKS

It was dusk and I was heading into the kitchen when I saw a tiny yellow glow on the window of our back door.

“Ah…” I came closer and saw that it was a lightning bug, pulsing its light as it looked for a mate. “I think you might be too late.” I said sadly as I looked out at our woods and didn’t see any other flickers of light from any other lightning bug.

“Too late for what?” My son Alex asked as he came into the kitchen looking for an after dinner snack.

I pointed to the lightning bug resting on one of the panes of glass on our back door. “Remember a few weeks ago we noticed how many lightning bugs were out this year?”

Alex nodded his head. “Our woods were full of them.”

“That’s because we had a really wet spring.” I went over to the cabinet and took out a glass.

“That’s the reason there were so many of them this year?” Alex asked as he opened the pantry door and took our a box of crackers.

I shrugged my shoulders. “That’s what I read. They like a damp environment so they love a wet spring.”

My husband Steven walked into the kitchen. “Who loves a wet spring?

“Fireflies.” I said as I filled my glass with water and walked over to the back door and looked out at our woods. Still not a single firefly could been seen. “It was only a few weeks ago when you looked out at our woods dozens and dozens of fireflies were floating through the underbrush, flashing their lights.” I looked over my shoulder at Steven. “It was like watching nature’s fireworks!”

Steven sighed. “Well, I’m glad they liked the wet spring because the tomatoes in our garden sure didn’t.”

“The beets and carrots have been good so far this year.” I reminded him.

“Well, the cabbage has been tough, the tomatoes aren’t ripening on the vine, and I’ve been fighting a fungus on the hot peppers for weeks now.” He shook his head and laughed. “But I guess I’m glad the fireflies liked the weather.”

“See! Now you’re looking on the bright side!” I looked back at the firefly still on our back door window with its light still glowing. “But you my friend, I’m sorry to say, are late to this year’s party.”

Alex ripped off a square of paper towel from the roll, placed it on the counter-top and shook a few crackers onto it from the box. “Maybe he’s not too late.” He said as he went to the refrigerator and pulled out a block of cheddar cheese.

“Really?” I leaned against the counter-top and took a sip of water. “What are you thinking?”

“Well, maybe he’s already mated and he’s just stopping by to say goodbye to you.” Alex cut a slice of cheese and put it on his cracker.

“Ah…” I put my glass of water down and went back over to the door. “I love that idea!” While I was admiring the firefly I could see Steven’s reflection in the window as he stood behind me shaking his head.

“Why do you get her started like that?” He laughed asking Alex.

“Look how happy it makes her.” Alex replied as he put the cheese back in the refrigerator and picked up the paper towel with his crackers and cheese on them.

“She does seem happy.” Steven agreed.

“You know I can still hear both of you.” I said not bothering to turn around. The firefly suddenly took off flashing it’s light as it headed to our woods. “Goodbye my little friend!” I called to him. “I’ll see your babies next year!”

CHEESE TAX

“Winston’s here!” I called out to my husband Steven and son Alex as I stood by the front window.

Our friends were going on a trip and we were going to be dog sitting. I watched as Winston came trotting up our sidewalk, pausing a moment to get some momentum up, before climbing our front steps.

“Ah…poor little guy.” I said as Steven, Alex, and I walked to the front door together. “He’s starting to show his age.”

Opening the door, Winston was the first in the house with our friend Erika following him carrying his overnight bag. Our friend Kathy was right behind her carrying a set of steps to help him get up on the couch.

Reaching down to pet him I could see even more gray sprinkled in his black fur. “Hey, little man.” I said as he broke away from me and took a tour around our house, his leash dragging behind him.

“He’s got another med along with his eye drops.” Erika explained. “It’s for his cough.” She showed me the container that had his pills in it. “I’ve already split the pill so you give him a half a pill wrapped up in a small piece of cheese twice a day.”

“Got it.” I said as I watched Winston come around the corner looking at me as if he wanted to be sure I was understanding his medical needs. “I’ve got you covered little man. Don’t worry.” I said to him.

Erika unsnapped his leash and draped it over his bag. “We’re also trying to cut back on his treats right now. It wouldn’t hurt for him to lose a few pounds.” I looked at Winston standing next to his Mom realizing his sprinkle of cheese, on his breakfast and dinner, were now a thing of the past. After a few more instructions our friends left for their vacation.

As soon as the door closed Winston started whining. Alex sat on the floor and began petting him. “It’s alright little man. You always have fun here.”

I grabbed his leash. “Do you want to go for a walk?” I said in a sing-song voice.

Winston just stared at me.

“Well, that’s not a good sign.” I put the leash down. “Usually he’s barking yes and heading for the door.”

“He’s a little old man now.” Alex reminded me. He picked him up and put him on the couch where he quickly got settled in the blanket and closed his eyes.

After a few days Winston still hadn’t perked up. He’d go to his bowl look at the dry food I’d put in for him and walk away.

“I don’t know what to do.” I said to Steven as the second day had gone by without him eating. “I’m going to text Erika.”

“Don’t bother her.” Steven said. “She’s on vacation.” He looked at Winston who climbed back up his stairs and was laying on the couch.

“He’s not eating, Steven! I’m not taking the chance that he’s getting sick on my watch!” I grabbed my phone and began texting. “Alright, I just let her know he hasn’t eaten in two days.” I placed the phone on the table feeling better already that I’d reached out.

Several minutes later Erika replied. “She says I can sprinkle some shredded cheese on his food.” I called out to everyone.

With that I heard the jangling of his tags on his collar as he hopped down his steps and came into the kitchen.

“Oh, so you heard the word cheese did you?” I laughed as I went in the refrigerator and got out the bag of cheese.

He began dancing around his bowl as I placed a few pinches of cheese on his food. He quickly began eating.

“You little stinker.” I couldn’t help but laugh. “Working on upping the cheese tax are you? Not only do you get some with your pill but now the meal cheese is back!”

Alex started to laugh. “He’s old, not dumb.” He reminded me.

SPECIAL DELIVERY

My phone chimed that someone was at our side door.

“Are you expecting someone?” I called to my son Alex as I picked up my phone to see who was captured on our Ring doorbell.

“No.” He called back.

When I looked at the camera no one was on the side porch. “That’s weird.” I said thinking that they’d moved to the front of the house. I was ready to switch cameras when something caught my eye.

“Never mind. It’s a Mylar balloon!” I said with a laugh as I watched it float over our fence into our backyard.

Alex came out of his room. “Really?” He went to the back door.

When I got out to the deck, Alex was already going down the stairs. “It’s over by the air conditioner.” He called to me.

I looked over the railing and watched as it slowly came towards me.

“Catch it!” Alex said as he turned around to come back up the stairs.

The star shaped balloon floated over the railing, the ribbon attached to it going right by my face.

“Got it!” I cried as I held the ribbon and looked at the silver balloon with Happy Birthday printed on it.

I held it out to Alex. “This is so sweet. How did the universe know?” I laughed again.

It was going to be my birthday in just a few days.

We went back in the house when my husband Steven came into the room. “Was someone at the side door?” He asked.

I held out the balloon. “This was.”

Steven looked confused. “Did someone delivery that?”

I couldn’t help but smile. “I’m going to chalk it up to serendipity!” I walked over to my chair at the dining room table and tied the balloon to the back of it. Stepping back to admire it I clapped my hands together and looked at Steven. “It’s perfect! My birthday week is starting off great!”

“Birthday week?” Steven laughed.

“Hey, it could have been any kind of balloon.” I looked over at Alex raising my eyebrows. “But it was this!” I pointed to the balloon that was swaying back and forth from the air blowing on it from the vents. “You’ve got to admit this is pretty awesome.”

“Okay.” Steven nodded. “But you do realize it’s some kids birthday balloon that got away from them? Right?”

“Nope.” I shook my head. “It’s a birthday present to me from the universe!”

Alex shrugged his shoulders. “You’ve got to admit it is pretty weird that it showed up in our yard just days before her birthday.”

I smiled at at Alex. “Thank you!” I looked back at Steven and nodded my head. “See? He understands serendipity!”

“Okay. You win!” Steven laughed as he came over and gave me a kiss on the cheek. “It’s your first birthday present.”

“Exactly!”

As Steven headed out of the room he called over his shoulder. “It also makes it one less thing I’ll need to get you for your birthday!”

FINDER OF LOST THINGS

“Do you know where the silver cooler bag is?” My son Alex called to me from the kitchen.

I grabbed the remote and muted the show I was watching. “Pantry cabinet, bottom shelf, under my Mom’s blue Dutch oven pot.” I called back from the living room.

I kept the show muted until I heard him say, “Got it!”

I couldn’t help but smile as I turned the volume back up. I loved my super power! Living in a house filled with guys, who couldn’t remember where they put anything, certainly helped hone my skill.

My husband Steven came into the room. “Do you know where the white twine is? I need it to tie up the tomato plants in the garden.”

I muted the television again. “In the kitchen, to the right of the stove, middle drawer.”

Steven was headed to the kitchen.

“Look under the cookie sheets, next to the pot holders.” I called out to him.

Once again I waited for him to call out that he’d found it but several seconds had passed by and I didn’t hear anything.

“Did you find it?” I called out.

“It’s not here.” Steven called back. I could hear him moving the metal cookies sheets.

“Are you sure?” I was beginning to doubt my super power. I paused the show and went into the kitchen.

Steven stepped aside to show me that it wasn’t in the drawer. I lifted the cookies sheets and took out the pot holder pointing to the ball of twine.

“It wasn’t there a second ago!” Steven said as he took the twine out of the drawer and headed for the back door.

“It’s another one of my super powers.” I said as I dropped the pot holders back in the drawer and closed it. “I can make things appear when they weren’t there a second ago.”

“Thanks!” Steven said as he went out the back door.

Alex looked over at me, the freezer bag on the counter top next to him. He was laughing as he shook his head. “You can make things appear when they weren’t there a second ago?”

“I can for your Dad.” I laughed. “No matter how detailed I am explaining where something is he can’t seem to find it. He likes it better when I go get it for him.”

“He really doesn’t see it?” Alex looked confused.

I shrugged my shoulders. “I have no idea. I just know that’s how it works with him.”

“So why don’t you just get up and get it for him in the first place?”

I walked past him and patted him on the shoulder as I headed back to the living room. “Because that’s not how a marriage works.”

“What’s that suppose to mean?” Alex looked confused as he followed me to the living room holding the freezer bag.

“Let me give you an example.” I said as I sat down on the couch and picked up the remote. “Your Dad is always trying to get me to balance my checkbook each month.” I leaned back and put my feet on the coffee table. “We both know that’s never going to happen.” I looked over at Alex and smiled. “But he’s never going to stop trying.” I held the remote out ready to resume my show. “Just like I’m never going to stop trying to get him to find things for himself.” I couldn’t help but laugh as I shook my head and hit the button. “That’s never going to happen either but that doesn’t mean I’ll stop trying!”

Alex shook his head as he headed toward his room.

“Some day you’ll see!” I called after him.

YOU’VE GOT MAIL

I had just finished addressing an envelope to my sister. The stamp was already attached and as I stood up from my chair, licking the envelope closed, I began walking towards the front door.

My son Alex caught up with me when I was halfway out the door.

“Where are you going?” He asked as he held the door open.

I showed him the envelope. “I’m putting this in the mailbox before the mailman comes.”

“Who’s it to?” He asked as I walked down the front steps.

“Aunt Lizzy.” I stopped and turned around. “I was reading an article in the newspaper about a church in Antwerp that I think we visited on our trip to the Netherlands. I cut it out and I’m sending it to her.” I began to walk down the driveway.

“Why not take a picture of it and send it to her email?” Alex called after me.

I held the envelope over my head. “Because we’re old and we like getting things in the mail that aren’t bills.” I called back to him.

I opened the mailbox at the end of our driveway, leaned the envelope against the side, closed the door, and put the red flag up.

I headed back up the driveway and saw Alex was still at the front door waiting for me. As I walked in the front door and passed by him he closed the door. “You know, Aunt Lizzy would have that article right now if you sent it to her email.”

“But what’s the fun in that?” I asked as I went to the kitchen and grabbed a glass and filled it with water. “Now, in a few days, she’ll call me up and we’ll talk about our trip!” I leaned against the counter and took a sip.

“But you could have that conversation ten minutes from now if you sent it to her email.” Alex argued.

I shook my head. “The term ‘you’ve got mail’ means something different for you and I.” I held on to my glass as I headed to the living room. Setting it on the coffee table I reached for the book I’d been reading. “I don’t know many people who write letters anymore.” I sighed as I sat down on the couch and opened my book to the page that held my bookmark. “I’m afraid it’s definitely turning into a lost art.” I leaned back against the cushions and got comfortable.

“How long do you think it will take for Aunt Lizzy to get your letter?”

I leaned the open book against my chest as I scrunched up my nose in thought. “Well, it could take weeks because in her development she has to drive to her mailbox so she doesn’t do it everyday.”

“Weeks!” Alex sounded surprised.

“I know! For some reason it drives me crazy when she tells me that!” I held up my finger. “But,” I continued. “She’s got an app on her phone that shows her a picture of every piece of mail she gets.” I looked over at him and smiled. “I’m pretty sure her curiosity will get the best of her when she sees a letter from me.” I gave Alex a wink. “Especially if I don’t say anything to her about it when I’m talking to her on the phone.”

“That’s a sneaky way to get her in the car and have her drive to her mailbox.” Alex laughed.

“See?” I picked up my book and placed the bookmark on the coffee table. “There’s always a method to my madness.”

BEETASTIC

I’d just gotten up and was headed to the kitchen when my husband Steven stopped me in the hallway holding out a tray with vegetables on it.

“Oh good. You’re up!” He said as he held out the tray for me to see. “I was just coming to show you what Alex and I got out of the garden this morning!”

I looked at the lettuce, carrots, and onions that he’d been picking for the last few weeks but now there were a few new things on his tray. “These green beans look amazing!” I said as I picked up a few from the pile.” Putting them down I picked up another vegetable. It had a reddish color and was the size of a golf ball. “What’s this?”

“It’s the first of our beets!” He said proudly.

I put the beet back on the tray and took my phone out of my bathrobe pocket. “I guess it’s time to figure out how I’m suppose to cook them.” I sighed as we both walked toward the kitchen together.

I was still scrolling through my phone when Steven put the tray down on the counter top and patted me on the shoulder. “Good luck with that.” He said as he headed for his office.

I stopped long enough to fill the kettle with water and turn it on before picking up my phone again.

My son Alex came in the room. “Did you see all the things we got out of the garden today?”

“I saw.” I said as I looked over at the tray then held up my phone. “I’m trying to decide the best way to cook the beets as we speak.”

I went over to the drawer and got out a pair of disposable gloves and put them on.

“Have you decided how you want to cook them?” He asked as he picked one up off the tray, tossed it in the air before catching it again.

I took it out of his hand. “I’m going to roast them.” I pulled out the vegetable peeler from the drawer and held it up with my gloved hand. “But first I have to peel them and I’m not in the mood to have my hands covered in beet juice first thing in the morning.”

Alex leaned against the counter top. “Have you ever eaten them roasted before?”

I shook my head and shrugged my shoulders. “I have no idea. I’ve never cooked them before.” I began peeling the outer skin off as little splatters of red juice began covering the paper towel I’d laid them on. “When I was little I saw them boiled before.” I used my forearm to wipe off a flick of juice that had landed on my cheek. “Can you turn the oven on to 400 degrees and then get me the olive oil and some tin foil, please?”

“Sure.” When Alex got everything he placed it on the counter.

I’d just finished peeling them and held one out to him. “Can you drizzle some olive oil on this and rip me off a piece of foil so I can wrap it up?”

“Okay.”

We repeated this with each beet until the half dozen I had were done. Peeling off my gloves I tossed them in the trash before placing the beets on a baking sheet and put them in the oven.

Closing the oven door I looked over at Alex. “Well, when I got up this morning I had no idea this would be how I’d spend the first twenty minutes of my day.” I laughed as I went over to get my tea cup from the cabinet.

“See!” Alex laughed as he held out his arms for a hug. “Your summer break is going to be filled with surprises!”

CLOVER CONFETTI

I was standing in the front yard with my husband Steven looking at our lawn. “You know I really love the look of clover sprinkled through the lawn.” I said. “It’s like a clover confetti party right in our own front yard!”

Steven looked over at me with a confused look on his face. “Really?”

“I do.” I insisted. “Do you know I was walking in the neighborhood the other day and I overheard a little girl asking her Mom what the pretty white flowers were called.” I shook my head in annoyance. “Do you know what the Mom said?”

Steven shook his head. “What?”

“She said it was a weed!” I bent down and picked one of the clover flowers. “Can you believe that?” I held it up to my nose to see if they had a scent, but didn’t smell anything. “I really wanted to turn around and say ‘It’s called clover, honey. The bees and bunnies love them!’”

“But you didn’t, right?” Steven looked concerned.

“No.” I sighed looking at the flower. “But how can you call this a weed?”

Steven laughed. “A lot of people do.”

“Some people do.” I corrected him. “But it’s also good for the pollinators.” I looked over at Steven. “Now that you’ve got a pretty big garden going aren’t you glad we’re attracting pollinators?”

Steven shrugged his shoulders. “Well, it wasn’t my intention, but I guess so.” He pointed to several dandelions popping up in the lawn. “Are you thinking they’re weeds?”

I sighed. “Well, that’s a different story.” I went over and picked a few of the little yellow flowers. “I like them when they’re like this.” I held it out to him. “But when they turn into puff balls? I’m not a fan.”

I made a small bouquet with my clover and dandelions. “This reminds me of when the boys were little.” I couldn’t help but smile at the memory. “I’d get bouquets like this all the time.”

Steven nodded. “I remember. You had a little vase that you kept on the kitchen windowsill for them.”

“That’s exactly where these are going.” I said as I headed back into the house with Steven following me.

As I headed for the kitchen my son Alex passed me. I held up my little bouquet. “This brings back so many memories.” I said as I kissed him on the cheek.

I went into the kitchen and got the small vase I’d always used and was filling it up with water when Alex was at my side holding out some more clover flowers and another dandelion.

“Here you go.” He said as he handed them to me.

“Aw…” I took them and added them to my bouquet. “You always know how to win my heart.”

Alex looked over at Steven and smiled. “It doesn’t take much, does it?”

“Nope.” Steven shook his head and laughed. “You guys could give her a rock and she’d gush over it.”

“Hey!” I said as I put the vase on the windowsill. “I’ve filled a jar with all the rocks you’ve given me over the years.” I leaned against the counter, crossed my arms and looked over at Alex. “As a matter of fact I’m still collecting the shells you’ve given me every year when we go to the beach.”

Alex looked out the window. “It’s a beautiful day. Do you want to go to the beach after dinner?”

“Definitely!” I said as I went to the refrigerator. “I’ll start cooking right now.”

ODE TO THE DAY LILY

O fleeting flame of summer.

At the end of spring you burst open-

One bold flare in a sea of green,

Your orange petals whisper heat

As the school doors sigh and close.

My son Alex came out on the back deck where I was sitting in a rocking chair, my laptop open and resting on my lap.

“What are you doing?” He asked as he placed his glass of water on the table next to his chair and sat down.

“I’m trying to write an ode to our day lilies” I said as I pointed to container on the deck filled with day lilies and creeping jenny. I sat back and adjusted the laptop before I read out loud what I’d just written.

When I was done I looked over at him. “What do you think?”

He nodded his head. “So that’s an ode?”

I shrugged my shoulders. “I think so. It’s the first one I’ve ever written.” I looked back at the screen. “I guess it’s kind of like a poem.”

“What made you want to write that?” He asked as he reached over and picked up his glass of water.

I shrugged my shoulders again. “I just felt like they deserved one. Every year when I see that first bloom I know school is coming to an end.”

“And summer is right around the corner!” Alex laughed as he took a sip from his glass.

“Exactly!” I began to laugh, too. I looked over at the one blooming day lily with several others ready to burst open at any moment. “My favorite time of the year is almost here!”

Alex put his glass back on the table. “So, what are you planning on doing this summer?”

I put the laptop on the table and leaned back in my rocking chair. “I’m not sure yet.” I watched as a hummingbird swooped over to the feeder and began taking a quick drink. “Maybe I’ll start by sitting out here for my morning tea and just relaxing.”

Alex looked over at me. “Really?”

“No.” I sighed again. “I’ve already got all my doctor’s appointments scheduled, a list of everything I want to get done in the house, and sewing projects I’ve been putting off until I had more time.”

“Well, it sounds like you’ve got it all figured out.” Alex sounded doubtful.

“I should probably put some fun things to do on my list, too.”

“Maybe you can write another ode about something else.” Alex suggested.

“Nope.” I said as I picked up the laptop and looked back at the screen. “I think this is going to be my one and only ode I’ll be writing.”

“Why?”

I shrugged my shoulders again as I closed the screen on my laptop. “I’m just not a big fan of the ode.”