The Apples in My Orchard

Hello, again! It’s already Friday! I hope you’ve all had a good week. My week has held some ups and downs or highs and lows as our Pastor used to say to our confirmands. And as a result, I feel kind of funky.

Hold on to that word…I’ll get back to it later in this post.

First, what were my “highs” this week?

1. I returned to volunteer at Monk Botanical Gardens in Wausau, Wisconsin. It was a wonderful experience, again! We had another harvest night and the gratitude this community has for the food grown and given away, as well as the maintenance of the grounds is astounding.
   • For the second time in as many weeks, since I started to volunteer, I was personally thanked by a stranger while working at the gardens! Wow! That really makes one feel appreciated.
   • I stayed for the after-wearing social hour in which we shared some wine and nosh. I brought cheese and crackers, remembering the knife, no less, as well as some dried edamame and summer sausage. Someone else supplied the wine and more goodies to eat. It was a joyous communal gathering of like-minded gardeners and volunteers.
2. Another highlight was that I received a purse from a C-grade sale at Portland Leather Goods that I love! It’s a burnt orange color and I can see absolutely nothing wrong with it. If you aren’t familiar with them, you should check them out. Their prices are high but so are the goods – of high quality – that it. And, their sales are incredible!
3. My husband and I finished some landscaping or hardscaping this week. We had a driveway put in a couple of weeks ago and have been grading the soil around it. My job was to pick up rocks and then lay a new path to the garage. It’s really come together well, as you can see in the photos.

4. And I finally saw two monarch caterpillars this week – the first of the season – now that it’s almost over. We have so much milkweed that is not being eaten. Seeing the larvae gave me hope, even though it was late.

5. My husband and I had a date night last night. We’ve been very busy so this was a joy! We came home and watched the movie, The Circle, with Tom Hanks and Emma Watson. I can honestly say it’s the first Tom Hanks movie I didn’t like.

“What were my lows”?

1. Although I wasn’t hopeful, I received the nicest “rejection” I’ve ever gotten from a kit-lit magazine yesterday. One of my poems made their “shortlist” but was finally cut. I appreciated the feedback and hope to find another home for a poem on a hummingbird.
2. My oldest son, almost 30, moves to Colorado this week. He’s very excited about the move so I am excited for him. It’s not that he’s lived home in the past 11 years – once he went to college in Iowa – he was gone – and didn’t live at home again, except for a visit or for holidays. We are close – those who know us – know we are close. I’ll miss him.
   • But my other two boys live in Minneapolis – St. Paul and that is only a three-hour drive. We are seeing them regularly, as our schedules permit, so that is a good thing. And, the MSP airport offers direct flights to Denver. So, it’s not all bad – just giving rise to some funky feelings – especially today.
3. Finally, although my Dad is doing okay, and he is regularly visited by my sister and his wonderful neighbors, I still worry about him.
4. My time with my refugee tutee has ended. I’ll miss her too, but she is on to a great life adventure! We hope to stay in touch!
5. The summer poetry swap has ended and the last person to send it to was Tabatha Y. I was pleased with the poem I sent her and l am anxiously awaiting her swap. As always, it was fun. If you haven’t participated in the swaps before, look for the next call and jump in! You won’t be sorry.

So what about this word, funky?

When I looked it up, I already knew the definition I was looking for – an odd feeling. Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary states that its use – the way I was referring to it – is as an informal adjective. Of course, it also means a foul odor or older music with an African beat, such as blues, gospel, or funk.

Feeling in a Funk

I’m feeling funky,
Yes, I am.

I know the reason,
I can’t deny.

I’m a mom and
Want my kids to fly.

But when they do,
A little part of me is sad.

I’m feeling funky,
Yes, I am.

© Draft. Carol Labuzzetta, 2024.

It’s just a little diddy of a poem but relays how I feel. I am a firm believer in letting your kids fly, and not hover around them or try to keep them physically close. Our boys have a good foundation and it will serve them well. It’s just that a weekend drive to visit will no longer be possible, impromptu fungi foraging will only be done through sharing photos, and a birthday – a big one coming up soon – 30 – will be celebrated over the phone instead of in person.

Still, I’m reminded as I write this that I think my highs outweigh my lows, and Life is Good!

Today is Poetry Friday! Children’s Author Renee M. LaTulippe offers a great explanation here.

Today’s host is Rose Cappelli at Imagine the Possibilities. Thanks for hosting, Rose!