While spring approached, I found myself still caught in winter. My body and mind have retreated into thoughtful repose. Cerebral with embedded worries from everyday concerns to that of worldly consequences. Politics and proclamations bombard the day. None of which I can control.

I putter painting landscape scenes, restful serene vignettes. I begin composing another novel, lost in the creation of characters and tangential scenes. Reading, writing, piano clunking…pleasures that keep me within.

I’ve forgotten the pull of light, the days becoming longer, the release that sun creates. Each year it’s as if my memory needs the jolt to be ridiculous.

My grandkids come to the rescue. I purchased Magic clay and on their latest visit, an imaginary world became real. Magic clay is the next step beyond Playdough. It dries into permanent forms. The eldest at 10, going on 13, declared this the best set ever with tools, additions, and even plastic bags to keep the magic clay moist. Her sister, age 7, thought her teacher should know about this set. I immerged myself in drawing, they in rolling, pinching, decorating clay figures. We three women laughed and joked as our creations came to life–named and displayed on the windowsill.

Funny dances and songs followed, secrets and questions had us rolling on the floor. When they left, I felt the absence of freedom, the improvisation of the moment. I found the Spotify App, my granddaughter wisely placed on my cell phone, and I let her repertoire guide me in free formed dancing. I closed my eyes and twirled, lifted my legs in leaps, toe and heel stepped tapping along the kitchen floor. Ridiculous abandonment, the perfect transition into Spring.

I wish you all freedom to be ridiculous.

Abbe Rolnick grew up in the suburbs of Baltimore and now lives in the Pacific Northwest. She is the owner of Sedro Publishing. Her writings include The Underpainting and three additional novels in the Generation ofSecrets series, as well as Cocoon of Cancer: An Invitation to Love Deeply;Tattle Tales: Essays and Stories Along the Way and Bubbies Magical Hair. To learn more about her writings, Abbe’s Notes and Abbe’s Ruminations, visit her website, http://www.abberolnick.com. Abbe welcomes questions and requests for speaking engagements and would love to hear from you.