Squirrel bonding?

I know, I know...it's been way too long since I've posted and for that I'm sorry as I am sure you've been on pins and needles awaiting my next entry.

Needless to say, we've been busy settling in to homeownership (New gutters!) and I spend a lot of time staring out of windows in my study not quite believing that this place really belongs to me (and Jason). Growing up, I led quite the nomadic existence and not that moving from place to place  doesn't come with its advantages, but it sure is nice to slow down and stay put for a change.

Lately, one of our favorite things to do is eat dinner on the front porch or, as seen below, have a beer and read The New York Times on the front porch.

 























While Jason devours the NYT, I've been revisiting the work of Naturalist poet, Mary Oliver in hopes that some of her ease will rub off on me. In a vain attempt at mimicry, I submit the following which is based on true events and was witnessed in the space below.

Crosshatching

My thoughts are on the gray squirrel

with his incandescent eye
and frantic whip of the tail
flitting across dandelion 
covering the backyard or
hiding out under the pink
azalea that came with the house.

He's more than likely stealing

bits of oregano from the herb garden
I can't seem to keep alive.

Life for him is a constant race.

Much like mine.
A barrage of weaving
in and out of the hawk's snare.

I think he knows I watch him

balancing on the fence
like some skittish tightrope walker.

Both of us unsteady

yet committed to two-step.
Wait. Scratch that.

It's more of a jerk

than a strut.

Or a waltz.

 

 

Thank you for reading,

xo

kh 

 

 

 

out with the old, in with the new (well, sort of)

Soooooo, we've been busy.

As of today, Slatton and I have spent 4 nights in the new house and needless to say, we're in love (with the house) oh, and of course, each other.

Here's a little photo essay documenting the what's-been-going-on's:

Our first cooked meal in the new house: I really helped. Really. Spinach/mushroom frittata, strawberries and English muffin. Cold beer (not shown.)

 

 

Jason has been keeping his mother's sweet wedding china in airtight containers. On Easter Sunday, we set it all free and it now rests in our butler's pantry.

And finally, in keeping with the Easterly and nostalgic theme, I will leave you with a poem I wrote while I was working on my thesis that I am certain would make Georgia Lee proud.

Questions before Easter service, 1980

 

Sunday morning

Nanny and I

wake up with Pop

at five. How do you want

your eggs, Cricket?

He wipes oily hands across Nanny’s apron

wrapped around his waist.

He looks dainty,

but I dare not laugh.

Go, and let Mother help you get dressed.   

 

That’s what he always called Nanny

and I wanted to ask him why

they slept in separate rooms,

but I didn’t.  

 

In white stocking feet, I wander

down the hall,

pause with my reflection

in Nanny’s antique tea service splayed

on the buffet. I will wear rouge today for Jesus.

 

The bathroom was thick

with talc and steam as I poked

Nanny’s bare shoulder and shook the skin

under her arm.

That made her mad.

Stop, child. Brush your teeth.

 

Glaring at me through the lighted mirror,

I stared at her sagging breasts and felt my own,

just pink, barely raised flesh.

At the sink, Nanny’s teeth

bobbed in the juice glass

as she rubbed cold cream in circles

across her cheeks.

 

What if I don’t believe in God?

Nanny said we’d be late

for Sunday School

and did I want

her to cut a switch

from the yard to whip

me with for questioning our lord?

Guess not.

 

 

Love,

kh

   

    

      

 

weeds & refrigerators

Yesterday being the first day of Spring, I decided to get out of the office for lunch and cruise by the house just in time for this:

Our new refrigerator!

Here's what Jason thinks about the fridge:

We shopped around and realized that we didn't need anything flashy, yet we wanted it to veer a certain direction, aesthetically. I like the stainless steel look, and it matches with virtually anything. Also, a word of advice: always ask about any specials or discounts. We got $50 knocked off of this fridge because of some "new home buyer" feature. Amazingly, our two delivery people made short time of this. Kudos to them. I stood around and talked about ASFA with this woman. She said her 7 year old daughter was the next Alicia Keys. Other than that, I just paid for it and ate a sandwich.

While Jason was eating, I found these in the backyard. My thumb is by no means green and I have a feeling that I'm going to need a lot of help in the yard. Gardening book recommendations are most welcome.

One thing I can wrap my head around (somewhat) is how to assemble images. The Japanese use haiku to reflect on nature. This one is for Madonna of the Wasps.

You are a highway.

Three Robyn Hitchcock songs play

back to back to back.

love,

kh & jes

Precious Cargo

Ah, the vinyl collection.

How many copies of Billy Joel's Turnstiles can you spot in this photo? 

Believe it or not this is the last bit of stuff to pack and possibly Jason's most prized possession. I am certain that he will buckle these babies in when he delivers them to the new house.

Music is without a doubt what brought us together. We met in 2004 when Jason got a job working with me at Laser's Edge, the now closed music store in downtown Homewood and we bonded over The Zombies masterpiece, Odyssey and Oracle. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmuswTEGF-U

We continue to measure out the meaning of life through song lyrics and while I accuse him of only listening to "Dad Rock" and he cringes when I play anything by Tegan and Sara, it is a guilt-free fact that we are both massive and unabashed Indigo Girls fans.

Looking forward to many dance parties in the new house.

Happy listening!

kh

Welcome to my new blog!

As of March 15, 2013, my husband Jason and I are proud first time home owners of the charming little house above located in Eastlake (East Birmingham) minutes from Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve and part of an ever growing neighborhood filled with creative spirits. Move in day is April 1st (don't worry, the irony is not lost on us) and I have decided to chronicle our triumphs, mishaps and learning curves here. 

I hope you will join me or look in from time to time on this exciting adventure.

Please stay tuned...

Love,
Kristi