And suddenly it's April

The last few weekends we've been wearing shorts and riding our bicycles then it snowed like crazy yesterday and suddenly it's winter again. I have no idea why the tree in our front yard is so darned happy about it.

Everybody's talking about the A to Z Blogging Challenge starting tomorrow and, yeah, I'll be taking part. Me and more than 1,500 other people around the bloggy world. I did it last year and had a riot and made plenty of new friends. And honestly, as far as challenges go, it's not a tough one. Nothing like National Novel Writing Month, for sure.

Most participants I know have themes picked out for the challenge and many already have their posts written. To them I stick out my tongue, make obnoxious raspberry sounds and yell "KEENERS!"

Naturally I have no theme. I have written no posts. The whole concept of doing anything in advance, blog-wise, is as foreign to me as economic policy, how big the universe is and whether or not my cats can make it through the day without horking a hairball on the chesterfield. You might be surprised to learn I am exceedingly organized at work. I have time management degrees from all the best internet universities and, seriously, cannot fathom or put up with lesser mortals who scramble to meet deadlines.

Blogging, though, that's a different kettle of fish. Whatever comes out of my head is what flops down on the page, usually all squiggly, wet and writhing. I have to do it this way, for the sake of my sanity. What's left of it anyway.

I was reading a blog post by Rubye Jack this morning. She is one of the most honest writers I know. Her work is compelling and heartbreaking and inspiring, all at the same time. I admire that about her as I admire that in everyone. Honesty is the most important thing to me. I value it above all other things and when I see it in another human being I can't help but want to reach out and share in some of their spirited light. Dishonesty, on the other hand, makes me turn away.

That being said I can't always be perfectly honest in this space. I don't want to hurt anybody's feelings, first of all, and I don't want to get in trouble with family, friends, or at work. There are times when, more than anything, I'd love to load a blast of shite and level it at my job but to do so would hurt only me and, anyways, 99% of the time I love my job and love my pay cheque and would seriously love to have it continue plopping into my hungry bank account.

Which brings me to the point of this diatribe: while I say I don't have a theme I think I am leaning towards one. A little piece of honesty, a little piece of my soul, for every letter of the alphabet.

Sounds like a deal with the devil, does it not?

We'll see.

***

Now, off to split firewood. It's what I do on weekends in April.
And to my darling son, Angus, I wish a happy 15th birthday tomorrow, the first day of April. Happy birthday also to my Auntie Ellen, a gracious and lovely lady. April Fool's day has produced some wonderful people, including these precious two. Hugs to both.

Note to self: I am number 172 on the list. (It took me five minutes to find myself amongst 1,532 names!) I am going to take Alex's advice and start my tour with the blog following mine, number 173, which (and I just looked this up) belongs to Watercolors by Mimi Torchia Boothby. An artiste. Cool!