What do you do on the first day of spring in New Orleans? I don't know about you, but I took my journal, my favorite orange cup full of flavored cafe au lait, my camera and my pen, and planted MYSELF in my own garden.
It was my first time to: enjoy sitting out under my new umbrella; appreciate all of my day by day-step by step hard garden work; feel the green; and enjoy new friends. As I went to sweep the seeds and such from the table I paused; hidden within the debris were tiny snails. These guys are nothing like my snails in France, but up close and personal they are pretty too. They are also just as much fun to watch make their way across the table; snail art that reminds me to stop, slow my life down and enjoy the moments.
As I sat and pondered, it was difficult not to look at the house and all that needs to be done. With a very tight budget, it all could have been overwhelming. But, I've learned from my snails before. I am reminded by my snails again, just take it a step at a time and do what you can. It will come. It always does.
I was most struck by the peeling paint on the pillars and cement stair cases. It's peeling everywhere, but then it hit me...this part of the house was under water too. It's been ten years. It's time to paint. My snails and I are ready...it's been ten years too long!
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