Shakin', Rattlin' and Rolling

"We're all going to be home now, you know." my son told his newly job free father.  I took it as kind of a warning.  He and I had already found our daily rhythm.  He, home again after gigging in New Orleans for two months.  There was no need to keep an apartment, we told him.  Come home.  Me, home again after closing a business of six years.

"Mom and I barely see each other".  This was the hint and warning to his father.  Well, maybe not so much a warning to him as much a warning to all of us that our tiny house was now harboring four full time creative people.  One son finishing high school.  Another son finishing a second album.  One father, home after being cast off in a private equity capitalist fiasco.  And me, in probably the biggest transition ever.  All together in one small space.  I can feel the foundation creaking from the load.

It's funny that we all find ourselves in this huge transition, each working to discover the next move along the journey we voraciously carve out for ourselves.  There is a lot of inner contemplative work going on.   Big creative ideas brewing in one small house.  Man, it's getting warm in here.

It's not a bad thing.  Creativity spawns more creativity.  But quiet time in a house full of musicians is a scarce commodity.  I've said it before.  Times, they are a changing.  You can feel it.  I saw a sign on the highway the other day.  Do one thing each day that scares you.  Ha!  Life is a fright fest every hour in this house!!!

It's not fear I feel, but anticipation.  That edgy angst that gives you the jitters because something is about to move but hasnt' yet.  Give it a few minutes....  Anticipate the best.  The fear is the unknown.  The unknown is making way for the new.  The new brings exhilaration that is just beyond the jitters.  Shake it all loose.  Let the old and worn out fall away so we can survey the vista of opportunity that stands before us.

My house is dancing right now; shaking, rattling and rolling to the sounds of new albums, new paths being excavated, new ideas, new perspectives.  It's going to be hard to contain it one it blows!  Our task is to clear the way for our own greatness to emerge.  Onward and upward!

Pondering Rabbits

Summer Solstice is this week.  We finally got rain so the parched lawn is groaning with delight.  We took the canoe out for the first time this year.  I know, very sad indeed, that it is mid June, coming up on the longest day of the year and today was the virgin ride.

The red canoe had been stored under a huge juniper in the back of the yard.  Upon moving it we noticed a nest that was carefully hidden there.  A perfect cave-like space for the rabbit nest that got away from me. 

I had successfully gotten one mama bunny to move her babies earlier this spring.  I missed this nest.  I assure you it won't happen again.  On the way out of the driveway, a small rabbit (the one that got away..) was sitting in front of the front stoop, staring at the address.  It didn't move.  They never do.  My yard is home to many of God's creatures that do not fear humans.

It looked like it was studying the address just in case it wandered too far from home, or in case its home was removed, as was the the red canoe house that was now pulling out of the driveway strapped to the roof of the car.

I can imagine mama rabbit telling her children, as Peter  Rabbit's mother told hers, how to be safe in a man's world.  This mama probably told the kids, "Remember, it's 538.  Look at those numbers.  538.  That is your home.  Memorize it.  If you get lost, just ask to be directed back to 538." 

So this teen bunny was staring at the number  and all I could think of was that it was saying to itself, "538, 538, 538, don't forget it 538, red roof (our red canoe), 538.

Ha!  The red canoe was now gone!  Maybe the bunny family will leave now.  Don't get me wrong.  I love bunnies.  I just wish they didn't love my garden as much.  Why must they love the tender new shoots of everything?  I've planted beans three times now.  And three times - mowed down.  New perennials bought and planted - mowed down.  Rose bush - mowed down.  This is getting expensive.
$538.00 is what it will probably cost to replace everything.

A thought:  My son had rabbit ravioli tonight for dinner.  And he really liked them.  Hmmm....  538.  Tender rabbit source for tasty ravioli.  Don't forget that address. 538, 538, 538, 538...