preparing

as i challenge myself

to find

just the right word 

for this time of year

preparing

seems as good as any

our days

are filled to the brim

with

a battening down

of the

hatches

in hopes that the

hatches will

hold 

last minute details

to secure the fort

from the cold

that has slowly ebbed its way

in

causing a roaring fire to

appear each

 morning

and

night 

since i stubbornly refuse

to turn on the furnace

which sucks precious

humidity

from our home

and causes a shock wave

when the bill appears

so 

stoke the fire

i say

 right along side

closing the pool tightly

storing lawn furniture 

sealing the drive

painting the trim on the porch

( a job that summer couldn't be

bothered with)

trading petunias for pumpkins

replenishing the dogs straw bedding 

hoses and spades

taking a break while the

rakes and shovels 

clock in

even the baby shower

of yesterday

speaks of

what's to come

preparedness

like readiness

so not to be caught off guard

what would we do

without

those jiggly bouncers

that imitate mom's arms!?

hmmm...

funny

when asked to share 

a pearl of wisdom

with the

mommy to be

i wanted to say

forget all those silly shower gifts

you already have all you need

instead

i told my sweet niece

to ignore the naysayers

because

the family bed is the best

way to ensure a full night's sleep.

i think i hear the

amen sister

from all my 

attachment parenting

le leche league

supporters

of yesteryear.

sadly

by its very nature

preparing

can steal away from 

the now

of things

thinking too much of what's

to come

rather than 

what is

for today

i vow

to look out my window

and see

beauty on the golden path

that lies at my feet

rather than

see the raking that need be done

before

the snow arrives.

another challenge

that i will

take on

boldly.

Monday madness.

Meatless Monday.

Make a Memory Monday...

yeah,

let's go with that one.