I am becoming acquainted with the turn and dip and waver of these new country roads. Landmarks and patterns have started to appear. I feel so lucky to have such a gorgeous commute, and to still be tethered by the beautiful river. It is still a bit strange to be away from the kids--even if it is only for a day and a half a week. But I am so grateful that Lee is able to be with the kids when I am not. I am so happy with this hood.I continue to adore teaching piano--increasingly, actually. My students are all brilliant in their own way, and I possess an almost endless reserve of patience ...keeping in mind that my lessons run for half an hour, of course. Mrs. Drover, my piano teacher while growing up, was a major influence on me, then and now. But until starting this teaching position, I didn't realize the degree to which her approach to the piano and to pedagogy was so formative for me. In many ways, my piano lesson was a bit of a refuge for me, as a kid. On the other hand, I also remember my own stubbornness and indolence as a piano student, and I am especially pained on Mrs. Drover's behalf, now that I'm sitting on the other side of the bench, so to speak. Sigh.Everything is...good. Lee and I have slept in our own bed, in our own room, for three nights now. It is luxurious, and quite fun. We are playing grown-ups! So nice to have the kids trundle in in the mornings to snuggle. Horus and Tree have been getting along quite well lately. Things seem more balanced, certainly, now that Treva can hold her own, communicate, and, I hate to say it, but, fight back.We bought some lobster from a guy at the Gagetown Christmas market, and had a fantastic feast. I told Horus that he could absolutely cut all the feelers and legs off the lobster with the garden secateurs. I said no to the hammer at first, but gave in quickly, and he made a glorious mess on the floor. It was grand. That last picture is of me, taken by Horus. Yes! I am growing another one. Lee and I had just talked about our five year plan, which would involve another child in....five years! So this was...surprising. But we are all thrilled, actually. Well, Lee was thrilled immediately (which is so totally heartening and sweet), and I rallied, and now we are both Really, really thrilled. Horus frequently comes up to me, pats my belly and says "I just can't believe the is another baby in there". He is sure it's a boy. This one will come into the world in the summer season, and I am very happy to be settling into a peaceful, unassisted, un-interfered-with pregnancy and birth. I keep remembering that if I were in the system, they would be trying to poke me with needles an radiate my baby just about now. I noticed a 3d ultrasound facility in Rothesay last week. So frightening. No. No, I am well, and so is this small person growing in my body. Of course, yesterday, and three days ago, I was a quivering wreck, ultra-sensitive and weepy. But this passes. And there is a quality of catharsis to the emotional stuff of early pregnancy that relieves, affirms life. Lee has learned to deflect and defer. He really is a great guy.
