We’re just a couple of lifelong learners paying close attention to a well-cultivated creativity as we keep an eye on the home budget’s bottom line.

For the first time in more days than I’d care to count, I felt safe and just about normal.

It’s natural to begin the internal comparative dialogue, weighing the pros and cons of a somewhat locked-down existence with being somewhat released back into the wild.

When the to-do list crashes and burns like it did last week, I’m grateful for my punting skills.

In my mind, I’m sifting through a few possibilities for after-lunch activity but so far, no one is voting heavily in any particular direction.

For now, I’m getting away with wearing pretty much the same pants, shirt and sweater on Mondays without anyone asking if that’s the only outfit I own.

Today’s agenda is as scrambled as my eggs were this morning.

I’m sure I’ll be just awful at re-engaging.

After the year we’ve had, individually and in common, this spring feels deeply and forever different from the others.

You have my undivided attention. Here, take it.

The creek has once again rearranged its banks and the front deck is an island surrounded by a mud bog.

I don’t think we dared imagine this day, this moment from our wobbly perch on the edge of the Unknown last spring.

Eight more inches of snow predicted between now and Tuesday.

The scene around me was a full distraction of gorgeousness, and I fell for it.

I shudder to think of the elaborate capers that escaped our scrutiny as we labored miles away, unawares.

Today began like most other days, with a walk around the land and a good bit of taking stock of the projects that await us when the winter melts into spring.

The seed catalogues have started to arrive, in nonstop glorious full-color succession.

For now, I blame Wednesday and a weary spirit that has held up its hand, saying give me a minute. Give us all a minute.

Someday, if I ever come into money, I’ll own one of those Hello Kitty-wrapped Volkswagen bugs, you just watch.

How can something so cold make us feel so cozy?