Ages ago, I planted 24 crocus bulbs. As they started to sprout, one (or several) squirrel(s) decided to give the bulb a taste. And threw it away because it was nasty. So, they tasted every single bulb. Because, y’know. Just in case.
They do that to tomatoes and cherries, too. So, I don’t feed them on purpose. Because I don’t believe it would keep them from eating the things I don’t want to share. I think it would just invite them to my yard where they would continue to sow destruction.
Frankly, I’ve been looking forward to it ever since I learned I was going to have to bleed once a month.
It’s not what I expected, though.
I don’t mind. I’m perfectly comfortable with the sags and wrinkles. That’s what happens when things get used. I don’t hate seeing my grandmother’s mouth on my face or the veins popping up on the backs of my hands.
I’m still sitting with it. And, I think that’s the odd part. I’m used to the activity of Maiden and Mother. This part is internally quieter.
(I wrote this sometime before December 1991)
I am water.
I move over and around obstacles.
Troubles pass through me like a stone in a pond.
Joy rests on my heart like a leaf on a stream.
I embrace the darkness.
I reflect the light.
I don’t know if I have the chutzpah to do this or not. We have 3 pieces of furniture in our living room that could use some love. None are valuable. So, they won’t lose anything if I work on them.
I asked my uncle for advice. He said :
Best to strip off all finish, sand if needed then stain/ clear coat, I used “Strypeze” to take off everything, best used outside due to fumes. Most strippers can be washed off, this may raise “whiskers” that have to be steel-wooled off, sandpaper tends to create whiskers. Do not use steel wool on oak, small pieces embed and rust. Do the smallest piece first, learn as you go,
Good luck!
USE GLOVES! POLYURETHANE IS A GOOD CLEAR FINISH.
I only work 3 days a week It’s not like I don’t have time. And YouTube will likely give me more specific directions. If the first one is awful, I can just paint it and quit.
I might start with the old phonograph cabinet we pulled out of a dumpster and have been using for a liquor cabinet.
How humans learn language is fascinating to me. And getting to watch a new brain learn it was wonderful.
When my child was learning to read, they came home from school one day and said, “My teacher doesn’t know how to spell ‘juice’. How weird is that? She ends with an E That makes the vowels long.”
I asked how she spelled it. J-U-I-C-E.
“How did you think it was spelled?” D-J-O-O-S.
“Interesting. And I understand how you thought that. But, she’s correct. It’s one of those ways English is weird.”
“Huh. I’ve been saying it wrong all along.”
I am the Audience 