A ramble through the woods

I took today off work and got some things done at the church, did some writing, then took a long walk through the conservation area with Brio. Crisp, cold air and brilliant sunlight. Hot-orange Baltimore Orioles in the trees. Wild strawberries blooming. Two geese with five goslings on the lake. Birds of some sort - swallows or swifts, perhaps - darting above the surface of the lake, catching whatever it was that must have been hatching (Mosquitoes? Mayflies? My sister the biologist would know these things). Clever snugs made of piled tree branches hidden in the woods, looking like the ideal play place for children. The delicious sound of trickling water, and the scent of new-mown grass.

Then back to the church to curl up with a book for a while, and watch some Downton Abbey, which I haven't watched before and which I'm becoming fond of. I'm writing an Edwardian novel right now, so I tell myself it's research. Another walk before bedtime to watch people playing ball at the park. Someone was out harvesting rhubarb already. My patch back in the city won't be ripe for another few weeks.

All in all, a perfect day.

Used Book Sale June 23-24

Save the date! June 23 and 24 we will be holding a big used book sale at the church, 9:00-6:00. It's timed to coincide with the anniversary celebrations going on in Watford. All sorts of books, fiction and non-fiction, for $2 a book right across the board. All proceeds will go toward renovations. Picture it as a big garage sale, but with only books, and without a garage. My lovely son has offered to come help me with it, which will make it a happy weekend even if not a single book sells. (If anyone has extra folding tables they're not using, I'd love to borrow a few more for that weekend!)

All leftover books will eventually go into a book exchange I'm setting up in the cloakroom on a permanent basis. 

Lots happening at the church this month

Drywalling continuing. Plumbers trenching through the cement floor to install pipes for kitchen, laundry, and new washroom. Electricians to follow so we'll have actual overhead lights and functioning outlets (so exciting!). The noise and mess are epic, but it's great to finally see progress!