Charlie whined to rouse me. Last night drenched the yard, the plants. I went out early with the dogs because I had already prepared for my Wednesday morning writers, our final workshop before breaking for summer. On my walk, I listened to the bird, the owls, the brook and let the moist leaves surround me with energy and spirit. Soon enough I realized I needed to make amends to my husband for getting frustrated about wedding details last night at the end of a pleasant night. Soon enough, he called to say good morning and so I made amends and he was very appreciative. Simple as that. I was so glad I had just decided to focus on my part in it. I could hear how really grateful he was. And then he apologized too, of course, and then we, once again, shared how we want this wedding planning process to go, and we both felt better. It was a busy, happy day from there. I felt a little sad to be climbing the stairs to the studio to meet the writers for the final time of this season. We always break for summer. But, somehow, this year, I’m sadder. Probably because the group is so strong and working so effectively, and there is so much growth coming out of this cohesion; so much writing craft development, and friendship too. It was a lovely, powerful session. I brought a prompt that worked really well based on a poem by a young writer, Diana Khong, that I found in No Tokens Journal: https://notokensjournal.com/poetry/the-way-girlhood-feels-on-the-tongue/ After the sharing of the writing that surfaced, one writer said to another: “I think that’s the best piece of writing you’ve ever done.” I love when that happens. After we ended I walked down the stone path of my friend’s house where we meet and took a celebratory swim out beyond the island and felt the lovely sun on my back. Thirty two years ago tonight I slept in my mother’s house with all my brides maids sleeping over with me after our wedding rehearsal dinner. I’m awed to realize how much my mother handled for my wedding. Altering my dress and all the dresses of all the bridesmaids who needed fixing at the last minute; and she hosted our reception in our yard. And my dress too – and fed everyone. And never said an irritated word! HOW DID SHE DO ALL THIS? Tonight, after dinner, Frank was out in the yard on one of his benches and I joined him, brushing my bare feet in the soft moss. My daughter pointed out a painted turtle laying her eggs in the grass by a tree. I took a quick look. There’s a ground hog back; my daughter and I saw it this afternoon. He’s the culprit, stealing the eggs. Tomorrow I’ll go and see. I hope they make it through the night.

To My Dear and Loving Husband

If ever two were one, then surely we.

If ever man were loved by wife, then thee.

If ever wife was happy in a man,

Compare with me, ye women, if you can.

I prize thy love more than whole mines of gold,

Or all the riches that the East doth hold.

My love is such that rivers cannot quench,

Nor ought but love from thee give recompense.

Thy love is such I can no way repay;

The heavens reward thee manifold, I pray.

Then while we live, in love let’s so persever,

That when we live no more, we may live ever.

~ ANNE BRADSTREET

Source: The Complete Works of Anne Bradstreet (1981)