Roads to Joy

We were so relieved that the burgeoning hydrangea at the corner of our property has found a new lease of life ever since I trimmed out all the leaf rot, but the intensity of its blue this year is wonderful. And then, while it blooms, the tree poppy forest lining our entrance path has also sent out its iconic fried-egg flowers to gladden our hearts as well.

These tree poppies are taller than me, which is to say, something around and even over six feet in old money, or 183cm nearing 2m in metric. They’re wonderful, and no other house in the village has them, apparently. We’re blessed. This autumn we hope to plant the seeds of a perennial spring-flowering poppy, an orange-pink variety with dark brown centres. But the fried eggs in the garden will always make me smile.

Life has been hectic over these few weeks, as we’ve hosted a kind of house-warming garden party for our new friends and neighbours. Fast on the heels of this event, we had family visitors in, and an exciting bit of energy news while they were all here, to wit: our planning application for the installation of two Air Source Heat Pumps and nine solar panels has been approved! So we hope to embark on a renovation odyssey yet this summer which may see us nearing self-sufficiency in terms of energy and heating. That will also be an upheaval, but should cap off this year of renovation. Each step brings us closer to comfortable living, like the plasterer today smoothing out the new walls of the en suite off the downstairs Craft Room which will become a bedroom when and if we’re not longer able to navigate the stairs. It’s good to think ahead, and seeing these things come to fruition brings even more joy.

In the meantime, I’ve had more joy working on a new proposal for another concert musical. This morning I woke early, just before dawn actually, to create a poster that encapsulates the concept succinctly, with a startling title to match the extraordinarily startling image. Such fun! Whether this idea inspires a musical muse for our neighbour is another thing entirely, but it’s certainly been joyful for me, after a week or so of false starts and over-complicated narratives have bit the dust. This one feels like it’s got legs.

All in all, then, happy times. But these cheerfulnesses are leavened by our sojourn tomorrow to participate in a memorial celebration of the life of a dear friend and neighbour from ‘back home’ as we still tend to think of our previous homestead. The day will likely be wonderful, moving, and a real celebration, but still, you know, emotionally challenging.

We will likely cry, but we shall sing, as well.