verge (vʉrj)
noun
the edge, brink, or margin (of something): also used figuratively the verge of the forest, on the verge of hysteria

verg′·ing
to tend or incline (to or toward)
to be in the process of change or transition into something else; pass gradually (into) dawn verging into daylight




Friday, March 18, 2011

Moon Dance


Day is done.
The dogs have gone to sleep.   
Put down your achy thoughts.
Come and dance with me.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Elephant Walking


It was Birthday Weekend and I was swept off my feet by the Birthday Girls and the Birthday Boyfriend.  I was good and stinky after a week of dump runs, chicken coop duty, and puppy rehab for Mercy so I happily welcomed their arrival.  We decided to celebrate the birthdays at the Elephant Walk, a wonderful Cambodian-French restaurant in Waltham where we all passed around our plates and forks, and shared some delicious and exotic food. 

I have to say this next part.  I was right there on the side walk with them.  I laughed out loud with them, and followed them, and hugged each of them as we sashayed our way down the Waltham sidewalks.  At the same time, a part of me was also someplace twenty-something years ago--waiting, watching, pacing, breathing, wondering, and waiting some more... 

I remember my curiosities, my fears, my anticipation.  Who will they be?  Where will they travel? What will their faces say? I knew that these three daughters would be a source of great joy. I knew that for sure.  The rest was such a mystery. And as I was following them down the sidewalk towards the Elephant Walk, I suddenly stepped back for a few minutes to really look.  There they are--there they are. Standing on the sidewalk I breathed through gentle ripples of quiet reverence--today I know who they are, and where they travel, and what their faces say to the world.   

What I could not have known twenty-something years ago, was just how enormous this joy would be.


Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Mending Mercy


Mercy has now had her first ordeal.  Thankfully, it's only a hip sprain--but wow--it's still a hip sprain!  I've concluded that she broke through some deep snow and pulled her hip trying to get out.  On Sunday, she curled up in a ball and didn't move--not even to eat or drink. Her right hind leg was pulled up tightly and tucked close to her side. She couldn't put any weight on it.  Heavens...After much hand-wringing, I took her to the vet and was told to give her 10 days of minimal activity.  That's right--10 days of rest from walks, runs, and playgroup.   Yikes...

So far, she isn't challenging the regime--but 10 days?  That's a long time in dog years.  So far, so good. I stopped to check on her this morning and found her smoking a bully stick and chillin'.  What I thought might be jail is actually the Cozy Crate Lounge. Let's hope for a speedy recovery.

[Confession:  I let her sleep in my bed over this.  Yeah, yeah, yeah--I'm so screwed....]

PS.  Don't know what a bully stick is?
            Chortle chortle chortle....

Tides


It's been awhile.  A lot has gone on.

It's been hard to know what to say or write and sometimes nothing is better than something.

I am looking at the magnificent power of the ocean and its relentless commitment to the shore.  No matter what, the tide comes in and no matter what, the tide goes back out.  This constancy contradicts itself as it becomes the birthplace of all change.  Some tides bring gentle sweeps, and yet others provoke monumental shifts.  I am at a loss for words in the face of the ocean's steadfastness, and its indifference.

This week was like that.  As if a sudden wave crashing on the sand, we tragically lost Nick and instinctively relived past losses.  Broken hearts, re-broken. On another day, a happy reunion unfolded.  Some days took so long to finish and other days not nearly long enough. Reunions, celebrations, births, funerals...The recklessness of such change is only anchored by the constancy of day and night--each day ends and another begins, no matter what.  Its indifference is sometimes a blessing.