2015 continues to be a roller coaster ride that I am strapped into whether I like it or not. It’s been both scary and tedious, wrenching and uplifting, this ride off into the unknown. But whatever else it has been and will continue to be, it’s chock full of life lessons that I’ve either got to ride out or run from. I’ve decided to go with the first scenario. And that’s not because I am particularly brave. I’m not. It’s because, at the risk of sounding ridiculously stuck in a cliché moment, it’s the path my feet are telling me is the one to take.
If you read my next-to-the-last post, you know that things have been pretty unsettling around here. After 2 very long hospital stays with a 3 1/2 week physical rehab sandwiched in between, my husband had been away from home for 3 long months. Finally, about 2 weeks ago, he got sprung.


It’s been very challenging but he is so very happy to be home that it’s worth it. We have a long, difficult road ahead of us to bring him back to health but it will happen. Slowly.
The kitchen is still undergoing its transformation. We are into month 3 now. Slowly.
It actually it much further along than this! Thank goodness.
In the meantime, I still have not been able to work. Or do much else for that matter. I worry about whether or not I will be able to make the trip to the Country Living Fair in early June; or to Ireland later on in the month. My gut is telling me that they are not going to happen. It’s ok – it is what it is.

Nevertheless, I cannot deny that the itch is there to be scratched. I’m dying to get back to work. I’ve been able to carve out a few hours in the past few days to try to organize things in my workshop so that I have room to start on a project. Since early December, I have just been shoving stuff in there higgledy-piggledy until I could barely get inside the door.
Some treasures have been arriving in the mail lately, too.

These beauties are what I put away yesterday.

I can now see light on the horizon!
And, last week, I got the chance (thanks to a good friend) to sneak away and hear one of my design icons, Richmond native Charlotte Moss, speak at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts about her new book, Garden Inspirations. I had already purchased my copy of the book in advance and it is gorgeous. If you are a lover of gardens, as am I, you will have to check it out for yourself.

After her talk, there was a book-signing; she was gracious and friendly. Interestingly, my husband actually was in high school with Charlotte here in Richmond; he says she always wore the coolest knee socks (really, what an odd memory, don’t you think?). To cap the event off, we were treated to a beautiful luncheon inside the Museum. Jody and I had a wonderful time meeting the delightful ladies we shared a table with. It was a much-needed respite and has me dying to get outside and get started on a new garden project. Or maybe just pot up a few plants.
That photo at the top of this post is kind of how the present is looking to me right now. It’s murky, unclear, and mysterious. Perhaps even a bit unsettling. But see that bright rectangle of light in the center? That’s the sunny side. And I’m heading straight for it. Slowly. But surely.
Cackie, let me know how I can Help! My table of ornaments are ready for you! Let’s get to work one day a week at the store. You name the day!
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Jill, thank you very much for your always-ready-to-help attitude. I am extremely grateful to have you as my firmed. xo, C
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Thinking of you tonight. Glad he is home and you almost have a new kitchen!
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Thank you, my dear! Hope all is well with you. I miss seeing you.
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I’m so happy to hear that your husband is home, Cackie! It sounds like things are starting to look up, and much of that is obviously due to your attitude! Great job! I hope you can find some time to create (in the garden or the studio) real soon!
Hugs- Erica 🙂
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Dear Erica-
Thank you for your cheerleading and empathy. So nice to have people like you along for the ride with me. Sending you my best, Cackie
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What a lovely post Cackie. Its a lovely reminder that in the midst of the cold dark days of Father Winter, Mother Spring is waiting to burst forth, just like that little bit of light in your murky photo.
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Thanks so much, Cindy. I hope your visit last weekend was a great one and that we will be able to catch up next time. Now get back to work and create someting magical for my new kitchen! Can’t wait to see what’s next. xo, C
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Cackie, Your art will always be there waiting for you, through the dark times, like a friend in the next room. You will get back to it, I know it, and then you will heal from all this upset and fright and disruption. I hope Paddy is well again soon, that your garden stays a refuge and that your kitchen soon shines like one of your wreaths. Blessings, Brenda
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Dear Brenda-
I wonder if you know just how big a heart you have? Thank for your gift of kind words and generous, intuitive thioughts. Proper words fail me. Sending you a big hug from down South, xo, C
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XOXO
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