Today I planted in a small garden flanking the driveway out by the road. I was replacing plants that hadn’t survived the winter, hoping I’d get it done before the predicted rain began.  I was contemplating how much I was enjoying an unending period of time off from work.  I pushed back the thoughts that I should more actively look for work; the nagging thought that if I wanted to just quit work I could have done that without spending so much money on another degree kept popping into my head. The garden under my hands began to fill  in.

But I loved being in school. I don’t consider it a waste of money even if I never work. As illogical as that sounds. It was a mind-stretching, sometimes mind-boggling experience, stressful and wonderful and crazy and obvious all at once. And I also loved working in a library. So it makes sense that I’d love to work in a library again. If that works out. I began to weed another area of the yard.

Unaware of the clouds gathering overhead I continued to muse. And weed.

I’m reading a new book, What now? by Ann Patchett, based on a commencement speech she made, about the choices people make when they are at a crossroad in their lives. She ends the essay like this: “If you’re trying to find out what’s coming next, turn off everything you own that has an OFF switch and listen. Make some plans and change them. Identify your heart’s truest desire and don’t change that for anything. Be proud of yourself for the work you’ve done. Be grateful to all the people who helped you do it. Write to them and let them know how you are. You are, every one of you, someone’s favorite unfolding story. We will all be anxious to see what happens next.” As I was agreeing that she had it exactly right, the clouds opened up and it began to hail.

I ran for the house, where Katie the dog waited for me, and for whatever is to come next.

And to each of you out there that supported me during my adventure…thanks. I’ll let you know how the story unfolds.