seeking to understand, and to be understood: spring

Monday, March 30, 2009

The First Little Sunny Faces

The first little sunny faces of spring have smiled. I have about 5 to 7 daffodils just smiling away on the south side of my house. Their trumpets reach breezily for the sky while their ruffly collars playfully tickle each other and they sway like they have not a care in the world.

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Signs of Spring

Tips of daffodil and tulip leaves poking through the mulch are bright little rays of hope

shining their shades of green against the browns and blacks of the earth.

The robin's song rejuvenates the heart.

Beams of sunshine making their way through the clouds and tree branches into bedroom windows refresh and motivate.

Calming rain cleanses and washes away the winter blues and re-energizes the earth.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

spring is the best

I am getting really antsy for spring to get here. That is the absolute best time of the year. Everything feels so clean and fresh and new and beautiful. The best is when you are laying in bed on a Sunday morning and sunlight is coming in the windows and you hear birds singing. This is the perfect way to wake up. It is so exciting to see everything starting to grow. I am always surprised by the flowers. Somehow I forget what bulbs I have planted just 6 months ago. The rain in spring is so cleansing. Even the terrible thunderstorms that cause the power to go out and terrify my dog are wonderful. Don't get me wrong - I am heartbroken when my dog is terrified. I just feel that he needs to learn to appreciate a good thunderstorm. Tornadoes are the one thing that I dislike about spring. They really scare me. I have been in a few and have been incredibly fortunate not to have ever had any bad experiences with them (other than being scared during).

My gardens have been coming in a little bit better each year we are in this house. Last year I planted quite a few new things. My lovely plants include: lilacs, phlox, daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, day lilies, balloon flowers, fox glove, butterfly bush, astilbe, poppies, mini hollyhocks, hostas, hydrangeas, hens and chicks, bleeding hearts..... That is all I can think of. Pictures will definitely be posted.

Ten Nice Things to do for Mother Nature in no particular order

Don't Litter - She may be "Mother Earth", but she's not responsible for cleaning up after you.
Keep the Air Clean - You are not the only one that breathes this air, be considerate of others while being kind to the earth.
Compost - Just because you don't eat vegetable scraps does not mean they aren't nutritious.
Keep the Water Clean - Just like the air, be considerate of all of the creatures who use Earth's water.
Spend Time Outside - The more you use it, the more you appreciate it, and the more you will care for it.
Conserve Resources - Some resources are in finite supply, and some require other resources to harvest - conservation relieves the pressure on nature to replenish.
Maintain a Garden - Any kind of garden will help you to appreciate the hard work that Mother Nature does to maintain the planet.
Use Rainwater in your Garden - It will give you greater appreciation for the water supply you have access to and a greater appreciation for the cleanliness of the water and air. Besides - it's what your plants really want.
Eat Locally Grown Produce - Reduces resources required to transport, gives you a greater appreciation of the landscape and what farmers do, and supports your local agriculture.
Pass it on - Helping others to become aware of their impact on the earth will allow them to make more informed and earth conscious desicions.