The air is scented with life! My windows are thrown open and the fragrance of growing things drifts around me, sweet in the air. Bliss.

Waking up in the morning is always a good thing. It isn't always pleasant, some days are better than others, but it is always welcome.

I have no work scheduled, none at all. I"ve decided that the best course of action is to meditate and ask the universe to at least allow me to stop worrying about all those bill payments that may or may not be made in the future. I've tried, really tried to work. My efforts have proved ineffective for decades; ever since I left the academy. It isn't for lack of trying, or lack of education, experience and qualifications that I have found no reliable source of income. I don't know if it is a sign of the times or a sign of being a woman of a certain age. Impossible to tell. However, whatever the reasons, they are completely beyond my control. Apparently I have retired without a pension. Don't be envious, anyone can do this.

The leaves have unfurled on the trees, and the shade of the forest canopy deepens day by day. In our small flower garden we have periwinkle and narcissus and daffodils and tulips. We have had mostly sunshiny days this spring, with enough rain to keep things growing and green.

Attila continues to build a fire in the masonry heater every third day. We do not need the heat at this point, but the masonry heater must be kept charged in case we need it again during May. By the end of May we will cease to fire it.

The genealogy project has slowed down. Most of the truly difficult work has been accomplished. The basic family configurations have been recorded, some of the mysteries solved and now what remains is to confirm, in as much as is possible, the data with Census and Vital Records. This is slow work, as one follows the myriad of root tendrils that have been laid down in North American soil by generation after generation of descendants.

My favorite part of the whole process is discovering the people who lived in my Grandparents community. Many of the names are familiar, many of the people a part of my childhood memories. I love to connect people to my experiences and the stories I heard as a child.

We have planned a family get together for the weekend. My Mom, siblings, children and their husbands, nephews and partners, nieces and partners, grandchildren, grandnephew and grandniece plan on joining us. The family is traveling substantial distances to get here, from all over Ontario. I love having a house full of people, all the better that they are people I love!

Attila and I have enjoyed planning the food for the event. I have my chemical allergy, Mom is lactose intolerant, Imp gags on things like raisins. It takes some care to plan a meal that can be enjoyed by all. We have planned enough variety so as to accommodate all sorts of dietary restrictions and choices.

We are spring cleaning. Slowly reorganizing our belongings, discarding some things (not many things!) and bringing other things out for use during the snowless seasons.

I am hoping to manage a small vegetable garden on the deck this summer, it is the only sunny spot on the property as we live in the forest. The other issue with a ground level garden is the animal population, there isn't much one can grow that does not attract local wildlife.

The days are passing by peaceably and pleasantly.