March: Bringing up the rear

 This March brought much sweetness to our days.  Spending two weeks where I grew up with family and friends and trying to make maple syrup yet again.  It seems that the sap doesn't flow just because I really, really want it to.  But what the cold kept away the warmth of being surrounded by familiar people and the grounding nature of place filled up; not just for me of course but for my boys too.

When you live far away from the people who raised you, where your peers growing up, and know you in your first awkward and/or innocent versions it is surreal to return sometimes.  I often feel a bit out of sorts trying to reconcile the me of the past with the me of now.  But then you feel the old bonds, are taken care of in ways that speak more to your soul than to your rational mind and when I leave I feel full.  Full of the energy of those who formed my sense of self, who shared years of memories and made the person I am now possible.

  

So while the cold temperatures were difficult for this west coast convert to accept, there is no mistaking the spring in my step and deep gratitude I feel for being able to go home again.  And while we were away the youngest member of the family turned 2.  Oh, goodness here he is, 2 already.  I can't say that I wish he wasn't exactly where he is.  This little ball of cuteness that is full of mischief and silly grins, I dare say he is most perfectly himself and that makes this spring all the brighter (and of course busy).

So the thing about March is that it was over in a flash and now we are in full on spring mode and there is so much to say, so much good art about, and so much life being lived.  I can't help but feel optimism oozing out of everyone's pores.  2013 is quite a trip so far.

Waiting for Spring

Syrup coming out of the evaporator

My Dad keeping the evaporator fires burning

Our sugar camp, in operation since the 1950's

Sap dripping from a Rock Maple Tree

I hope that those who celebrate Imbolc had a great one. I had a lovely day. A bath, and a simple and fulfilling ritual with Heidi. Yesterday I planted four bulbs in my garden and noticed that some small green shoots are pushing up through the dark soil. What a wonderful time this is. We've even had two days in a row of sunshine. Very rare for our part of the world. The rain is returning tomorrow though, so today Kyan and I will get out and have a nice walk.
Life is moving along at quite a pace this year. With working from home and being a mom/homemaker my creative pursuits are suffering the most. I'm trying to find a balance and fit it all in, and trying to be easy on myself... no super woman complexes over here.
This time of year also tends to make me homesick. It starts now and climaxes right around Sugaring time. Sugaring time is when we make maple syrup in eastern Quebec, usually between the last week of March and the first and second week of April. It remains the most beautiful promise of spring... you can actually smell the earth stirring. The water in the earth rises up and pulses through the rock maple trees. Last year we were home for a visit at that time, I've posted some pictures so you can have a look. Keep the faith, especially if you are still under a blanket of snow.