Weekend Notice

A new normal

Our weekend routine has changed with my new work schedule. We’re less rushed, more intentional, happier, free-er.

There’s more time to breathe; more time to notice.

Noticing

Mornings in the cove are abuzz with the sounds of chirping and chattering birds; whiny motorboats making their way out of the cove and onto the lake headed for their favorite fishing spot. Most mornings there is a slight breeze and the leaves dance in our yard. The cat whips up at the sound of the slider and races from his sunny perch on the lower deck. Most weekend days I step out into the heat-it’s turned hot already-and stretch, scratch the cats ears, and make my way over to my babies. My succies in their new home, rest on shelves in a lovely sunny corner.

I inspect each one looking for growth and hoping for babies (grandbabies?).

Growth

This is what I’m learning about succulents and cacti: expect the unexpected. I do very little research when picking out a new plant. Sometimes, I’ll quickly search online while standing at the store (by the way-the best selection has been from the W-store). I check for heat/drought tolerance and not much else. I pick what’s cute or interesting.

Lately, my weekend morning inspections have left me delighted, giggly like an expectant momma. New growths. Unexpected new appendages reaching out from prickly skins. The hope of blooms. These are a few of my new favorite things. On my Instagram I’m calling it Bloom Watch.

Noticing Me

On the weekends, I notice now, that I am still growing. Still desperately seeking something. Still finding hope, and joy, and delight in the newness of hobbies. In time, I could decide this new “thing” isn’t for me but the difference in the me I’m noticing now and the girl I was last week, last month, last year, is that I am slowly realizing it takes time for growth to happen. And, sometimes it can’t be measured or even expected. Like this bright, glowing, pink appendage-I don’t know if it will bloom, or stop growing, or what? But there is hope for a bloom; for the cactus and for me.