The colors are slow but tempting; the egotistical swamp Maples are dressed in brilliant, blood-red. Every post and photo is calling attention to the change that is evolving in my corner. The constant is old country music rocking the house, Julia doing the dishes and the critters comfortably ensconced on couches, chairs and dog-beds.
Swamp Maples in rock-star dress
Even those are about to change. I’ve been a Mother for a large part of my life. That moniker should have a few letters after it. Something like PhD or MD or LLC. After having a house-mate (since that first inquiry of a place to be for a little while on June 23rd), I am about to be on my own again for a month. As a former, full-time mother, I can honestly say I found an in-between place of mutual respect since she is not ‘mine’. Suddenly, she is off to Ohio for the Quarter Horse Congress trade show. For a little girl who started working there one corporate financial quarter ago, this is a huge career move. It’s the coming home to a shift in the routine that I worry about. I wonder if I will play Pancho and Lefty (stunningly sung by Willie) and belt out the lyrics at the top of my lungs. Probably not, but I will probably listen and smile.
I will miss her horribly. The silence will take a while to get used to again. As a “recovering” Mother, I have spent this evening nagging her.
“Did you find out about this? What are you doing about that? Lay all your clothes out in the other bedroom and do your laundry!” God help her.
Growth is the goal; stagnation comes from not seeking out change. If the very trees that surround me can trust, that the shedding of all pretenses can bring life in the next season, who am I to question?
My house is just below that ridge…
Therapeutic Misadventures 
Sometimes nagging is loving in a different way. I’d guess that she probably realizes that.
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So true!
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Your descriptive first paragraph made me smile. 🙂
Also loved this: Growth is the goal; stagnation comes from not seeking out change. For some reason, it made me (sadly) think of my mother-in-law, a woman who has no hobbies or interests whatsoever, doesn’t ever seem to express joy or wonder or curiosity or passion about anything. Perhaps stagnate is the state she’s been in all these years.
But I digress…
Your ‘nagging’ comments also made me smile for I saw myself in them. Over the years I have started to learn to know when to leave well enough alone and let my (now 38-year-old — how did THAT happen?) son make his own decisions without my running commentary. It ain’t always easy though!
Lastly, great photos. Momma, you’ll be fine!
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Thanks Julie, you touched me with your comments. Once a Mom, always a Mom.
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Along with the worry comes the pride you will have in seeing her succeed. It will be a long month for you, but it will fly by for Julia. As she grows, so do you.
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Thanks Laura, I hadn’t thought of that, love what you said, “as she grows, so do you” poetic!
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Your trees are making up for the lack of flowers in a spectacular way. It’s almost impossible to stop worrying about your children. As mine have grown I’ve slowly understood why Mother nagged me so much.
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Hi Marie, I love this time of year with the ever-changing scenery. As to mothers, we do always worry and nag but hopefully it is seen as loving.
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