Thank you, Miss Daisy. It was so hard to let you go. At first I couldn’t watch — I came back inside. I burst into tears. I grabbed my camera. I could at least stand watch as you left, wave goodbye one last time, blow kisses, tell you it would be all right, and honor your passing.

I let go the last piece of my old life when you wagged down the road away from me. Maybe that’s what the tears are for. You will be just fine. May you teach some young folks how to refurbish a grand old dame. May you find a home with someone who really needs you, the way I really needed you, lo these many years.

Go gently, old girl. All is well.

Just slipped ‘em in the oven. I used the recipe from here, but adapted it.

Already dealt with the blackberries:

Now to do something about the peaches.  And that watermelon.

And chapter three.

Then (because I had no choice and the water was so ferocious) I was flushed down that long set of rapids — head first, on my stomach, then churning like something in a Waring blender. I am lucky I didn’t crack my head open on all the rocks I slammed into. Lucky I didn’t break anything. Lucky there were kind people on the trail and with me.

I’m good and bruised up, though, so we tooled home last night instead of going on to Asheville. Edemas everywhere. Fitful, painful sleep.

I’m better this afternoon. This morning I journaled about this experience, put it all in my notebook. I want to save it. And… I want to share it. It took me five minutes to decide to blog about it.

We have uncountable stories to share, and life is short. Let’s get to it.

OnePom will change, I’m not sure how yet. Feel free to stick around; I’m glad to have you here. Alternately, it’s okay to slip on off, too, really — s’okay. I’ve done it myself.

Today I’m moving slowly. I’ve spent time in the kitchen doing soothing tasks. Sorting and soaking beans, making stock, folding napkins, choosing colors, creating our midday meal. Walking from and to, forth and back, in the way of making sure every part of me still works (it does) and gets a bit of movement.

This is more than enough for today.

Have you had a wake-up call lately? Did it involve pain? Did it flip you over and churn you around and around? What changed?

My life this year has been full of epiphanies. Welcome back.