Saturday, March 29, 2008

Winter's Persistance, Spring's Hope and My Little Soldiers....



This small troop of soldiers has been steadfast and faithful every spring for the last eight years. Right now they are hunkered down; bellies in the bunkers, protective spears pointed at the enemy...a potential army of hope. They are the determined platoon of my tulips that have endured seasons of assault. Upright and brave, they know instinctively not to unfurl their beauty and expose their vulnerability to the vagaries and whims of the season's wrath, petulance and moodiness.
The rabid dogs of Winter are still at the gate. Frothing and foaming, they have sent wind, rain, hail and snow. I can hear their claws scratching to be let loose. The gabble ratchet of their voices has filled the air. They are hell bent.
Mother Nature, on the other hand, is doing her best to keep the gate closed to Winter's scrabbling hands. She sneaks the gate open, sometimes tentatively, at times with hope.
Spring glides forth in all of her beauty, like a shy young woman at her first cotillion, then like a brazen hussy she blares her blueness and assaults our eyes with her brightness. She is nothing more than conflicted. Dancing at Mother Nature's gate, she slides in and out without purpose or determination. She is young and unformed: She is testing the waters in her hesitancy. She needs time.
Indecisive, Mother Nature closes the gate once again and allows Winter to wrest the birds from the sky. Winter steals the words of my breath in a meaningless mist: Winter sends the wood smoke in messages that confound the newly arrived humming birds. Winter pounds us in a cacophony of ice, darkness and melancholy.
I will take heart and mirror the courage of my little army of tulips: Be full of hope, be brave and protective of one another. Embrace the message that Spring will come in all of her mature glory and we will be filled with joy: A promise to have the space and place to bloom, to rejoice.


edited to add:Winter blasted through today; snow, hail, wind and rain. Spring shed her blue gown, her daffodil yellow hair.
I can wait. My faithful soldiers still stand at attention. They will relax their spears when all is safe; opening them as colorful receiving cups to welcome Sister Spring.
All will be well.


Best

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Decomposing, But Not Gently.......





I tripped the other day and in the ensuing fall, managed to crack my ribs. This is the third time I have done so...to the same pitiful, vulnerable ribs.
The first time was years ago when I was practicing wrestling moves with my son. The second time occurred about nine years ago when an overly enthusiastic toddler landed on me while I was lying on the floor in front of the fire. Laughing, coughing or even yawning brings tears to my eyes.
To add insult to injury, my bad right knee is constantly reminding me of its presence and my arthritic right elbow sends me SOS messages every time I carry wood in, lift something or bend it the "wrong" way.

Someone once said, "Getting old ain't for sissies." Here, here! What a wise sage.

Other than that, I am just Jim Dandy. God forbid, I could be buying boat loads of Depends at Costco.


Best

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

We Had A Happy Weekend





I hope that you did too.



Best

(I see that once again, picasa is not allowing me to do what I want to do when I create a mosaic. It always repeats two pictures. #*@*$$!!!)
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Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Singing You Some Easter Greetings..


On the wings of a little song, I send wishes for a Happy Easter. My song also holds the hope that you may experience the blessings of the earth's awakening to warmth, all things green, the delightful awareness of the flower's dappled brilliance, and the joy that comes with new life, with renewal.


Best
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Tuesday, March 18, 2008

They May Be More Handsome.....

...definitely.....more intense...
..more brooding...exceptionally more sexy.....

...and I love the music the brooding man made, but I also love the music this man made. Wow! Thirteen (?) children, such prolific accomplishments...not the children, but the music.

If you have never listened to Bach, do so. All of his music is not for everyone...but some is.

It's his birthday this weekend. Give yourself a present, say Happy Birthday to an amazing man.

His music, like Beethoven's, spans the entire universe of human emotions, dreams, hopes and desires....what it means to be a creative genius...gifts to us from a higher being.

Best

Sunday, March 16, 2008

No Words...


...but your words, your prayers.

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Feet In One Place......

...they do the dance. I can't hear the music from inside the house, but I can tell by their movement that it's not a slow waltz that's playing.
The maples articulate their bare and bony arms against the sky: the scudding clouds like scarves seem to catch and pull at woody elbows and twisted, arthritic fingers.
The firs persuade their skirts to sway wildly back and forth, rising, falling, then carrying them in whirling circles: blousy ladies whooping it up with abandon.
The ornamental cherry parsimoniously holds fast to her freshly minted pink jewels, unwilling to relinquish them to the spring tumult.
Alone, the staid oaks refuse to participate in the dance. With only a slight nod now and then in a stiff begrudging manner, they signal their disdain for such undignified behavior.

Welcome spring storms!


Best

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Do You Think......


...that it's safe to eat these? I know that there are 100 year old duck eggs that were carefully entombed in the earth by experienced hands, but I am a little concerned about these.


What do you think?


Best!

Sunday, March 9, 2008

This Sweet Little Kitty...


...arrived this last week when I was out of town. She waited patiently for my return and I am so glad to have her. Isn't she adorable?
This cutie and several others were made by the very talented and kind lady......
Ellen.
The color in this photo is way off. She is actually a lovely soft blue.
If you haven't had a chance to visit her spot, hop on over and take a look.

Thanks, Ellen. I know a little 3 1/2yr. old who will adore this little purse.

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Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Casting My Bread Upon the Water...




I made bread for my grandson the other day. He had been complaining that he never gets to eat white bread, so I sent a loaf home with his dad. He took one casual glance at the bread and declared, "It looks just like Jesus Bread."


It was a little rustic looking. It was a bit off center...not a bit like the picture from my very old cookbook.

But today I heard that he had declared it the Best White Bread he'd ever eaten.....so my bread came back to me many fold and with blessings.

Who knew I could actually make Jesus Bread!


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Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Coasters


These came a bit ago and I have been waiting in hopes of a sunny day to take a picture. These are the best shots I can get...sorry the one is so fuzzy.
Susan from SuzeeSews sent them and they are super...little log cabin designs with some lovely embroidery. The dragon fly is so sweet.
She also included heart shaped soaps and some yummy scented bath salts.


I've said Thank You before, but I say it again.


Thanks, Susan for such wonderful coasters.



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Saturday, March 1, 2008

Happy Weekend:Welcome March...

If you are cold, here's some warmth times two!

If you need some protection, here's an umbrella.

If you are too warm, here's a cooling device.

If you are hungry, here's some good food.

If you are weary, here are some books and a comfortable place to rest.



May your skies be brightening with the coming spring. Yay for daffodils pushing up through the ground, for the greening around you and the slow strengthening of the sun's warmth.

Best.