Watching Dragonflies | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Publisher's note: Please join me in welcoming Author Michele Rhem, who presents us with her poignant memoirs of the Rabbit Patch, where her diaries weave tales of a simpler, expressive life lost to many, but gathered together in her most familiar environs - the Rabbit Patch.

    Another beautiful "early service" arrived this morning. There was a cool breeze blowing, that delivered the sweet fragrance of early morning. Besides myself, there was a squirrel gathering acorns and a female tanager. I had seen a male tanager this year- only on one occasion. The Tanagers are quite elusive birds, so any sighting is memorable. The male is a cheerful red, and the female is a buttery yellow. They are a striking pair and I counted it a privilege to catch a glimpse of the golden flash of the bird this morning. Otherwise, it was a most solitary service.

    Lyla and I took a stroll around the village about mid morning. It was already hot and the breeze barely whispered. The river was quite blue and rolled gently by. We spent some time on our rock. A dragonfly joined us. He flitted about skimming the water and so we watched him for a while . We did not tarry too long for the southern heat was damp and I was sure we would wilt on the way back. 717163cb9f896dcb0c8d228b1aeb63c5

    On Friday morning, Lyla wanted to help cook "honey cakes" for breakfast. This was before seven am. Of course we did. When breakfast was put away, Lyla and I made cookies. She loves to "crack eggs". We listened to our music which Lyla has come to expect. She always reminds me as she is getting the large bowl, to play our music. She will not begin, til a violin melody rings sweetly in the kitchen.

    Lyla has improved greatly about the conclusion of the mixing, I noted . . and at long last, I have learned to bake good cookies.

    That was not the end our our cooking spree, for Miss Claudia, Wills' mom and my dear friend, was coming for supper. This warranted a dessert. We made a cheesecake, which Lyla called " a pie". We used wild blueberries, as I am convinced they are by far the most flavorful. I will tell you the dessert was a big hit.

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    On Saturday morning, Will and Jenny worked on the nursery. Their second daughter is expected in September. Lyla, their first born, helped for a while and was very good natured about the "big production" . . until she saw the butterflies fluttering across the wall . . .and then the pastel lanterns . . .and the sparkling flowers. This proved a bit much and so Lyla came downstairs with me to watch a show about the wild animals in Africa.

    Jenny, being a thoughtful mother, had allowed Lyla to be in on the decoration purchases, and even bought a few new things for Lylas' room, which the girls will share, eventually. It all worked out fine and Lyla said she loved her little sister, after all.

    I stayed out of the way for a bit, as I felt the preparing for new baby, was such a special event. Out of curiosity, I did have a peek after an hour or so. What a beautiful and moving picture unfolded. Will was hanging pretty things on the wall, and Jenny had a stack of dainty blankets . The crib stood neatly with fresh linens beneath sparkling flowers. Lyla was ransacking a collection of soft baby toys. How sweet it was to behold young parents with their fresh, youthful faces full of aspiration and joyful anticipation, at the arrival of their new daughter. The room nearly glowed and it made me want to dance . . a waltz.

    Few things are as holy, on this earth as the birth of a child. Most things dull in comparison. It is no wonder, we hold these memories tenderly until they are embedded in our heart.

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    I have not heard a word about the arrival of the appraiser. Will, being a banker is well versed in this process and predicted it would take about two months for the conclusion of the sale. It seems he was right. It is most likely that the business of . . selling the rabbit patch - and hence moving to a place I do not know of yet . . .and the new school year starting . . and the birth of my second grandchild . . will all happen at once -sometime in September.

    This is a lot of things to transpire and every one of them quite significant. It will be a time of great change and a lot of contemplation under the best of circumstances, especially for a simple, country woman, who spends her time watching dragonflies and sitting on a rock, for lengthy spells.

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    Since none of that is happening today, I will concentrate on a Sunday Supper, instead. Miss Claudia is coming and that makes the meal, an occasion.

    Jenny and I will go through another parcel of baby clothes. There is always laundry and stories to tell Lyla. . . and I will watch for the tanagers, and a yellow finch, I spied this morning.

    This is the last week of the summer break. School starts for teachers, next Monday. I must mend my ways, especially the leisurely eating and sleeping patterns, I have developed, over the course of the season. Breakfast can not be eaten at ten am, and midnight is not a suitable bed time.

    Of course the hardest part, will be not satisfying my whims, which I have grown quite accustomed to. I will miss the rainy days, spent reading until my hearts' content . . and making a cake on a Tuesday, if the notion struck me . The sheets may not be sprinkled with lavender regularly and I will miss such things, for I am domestic in heart, despite this modern age, that I live in.

    This week, I plan to do the things dearest to my heart. I will spend a few more days, in Elizabeth City. I will stroll the familiar path by the laughing river, with Lyla. I will help Jenny with any loose ends. before the baby arrives . . for what will Jenny do, when I go back to work? . . . and oh, so very soon . . . it will be September!