Hope and Promise

In April, Spring came again to our northern climate and the grey and white landscape was replaced with colors and shapes, and the birds returned to their singing. Our moods lifted and the possibilities of all that we could accomplish filled our spirits like blood rushing into our head. Our thoughts ran swiftly like the spring streams, and ideas flowed with renewed energy. The world had awakened, and we with it. The doors and windows of our houses opened and the neighbors stepped into their yards, and blinked away the drear that had been our winter. Perhaps better things lay ahead after all.

Searching for Signs of Spring

Photos from April 14, 2009.

A walk in the rain one early spring day. Seamus would need a raincoat this time because it was still pretty cold. The field grasses hadn't grown tall yet, as they would do when the summer months arrived. He could stand or sit far away from me and I could still see him plainly.

He and I wandered around. Down to see the horses. Down to the creek. Looking for signs of spring. He and I are spring lovers, not built for the cold weather months that linger for so long in the midwest. We need to smell the growing things and see the green come up magically from the ground after being buried for months under snow. We like to run in the fields and hear the wind rush past our ears.

Though the snow had passed for now, we were on a mission to find some early signs that things were going to start growing soon.

The creek flowed briskly by,



Signs of squirrels feasting on Hickory nuts...

Surprised By New Life

This is an orchid I bought last year. It was beautiful then, but, afterwards went dormant. I tried to care for it during the winter, but have little experience with orchid care. I gave it a bit of water and a western facing window, but not much else. For months it looked like a pot of dirt with some paltry looking leaves.

I was so surprised early this spring when it began to send up a shoot of promise! Soon there were buds followed by beautiful white phalaenopsis blooms! Life sometimes goes dormant for us, too, but patience yields some surprises for those who maintain hope.

Poppies in Spring

The translucent orange of the poppy petals has always captured my eye, but I haven't had much luck growing them myself. I should try again, since I do love them, despite their short blooming time.

These were seen in a small but very nice garden in Ann Arbor. I was driving by but actually had to stop and go back so I could get out and take a few shots of them. I just love the color and the way they filter the light.

Lone Against the Sky

Originally uploaded by marylea

Springtime, sun setting at twilight. When I see this sight, I feel so blessed, and quiet calm comes to me. It is the time when He speaks to my heart.

Happy Azaleas

Does life get any better than having beautiful pink blooms on a gray day?

For me, flowers are better than any other mind altering substance. They will lift my spirits, and symbolize everything that is good. They represent extravagant beauty. I would rather grow flowers than vegetables, which tells you how impractical I can be. Flowers appeal to all my senses: sight, smell, touch, hearing (the silence can be so full of thoughtful reflections that it is hardly silent at all!). (I know, there is taste, too, but for me, I don't need taste as much as the others...) I am so grateful after the many months of winter to see some color, some living things, again.

These were a gift to me this year on Easter, which, here in Michigan, was snowy and cold! What a welcome sight they were!

Today, as I post this picture, we have had a glorious day of 70 degrees and blue skies. I have been able to take a short walk outside, play with my dog and his ball, and stand barefoot in the grass. My life begins again! :-)

Spring!

Today I am remembering spring.... and all the hope and joy I felt as the earth sprang to life all around me. I found this image on one of my photo CDs, taken May 1, 2006, just over six months ago. Half way through the year again, and we are seeing the end of the growing season. Instead all around us in the northern hemisphere is the coming of dormancy. The body is fading, dying perhaps, but the spirit, the real life is only sleeping. It is an opportunity for more reflection.

"Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses it will save it."

Luke 17 (from the daily readings for today)

I wish you all a lovely Thanksgiving.

Blue and Red

Blue and Red
Originally uploaded by marylea.

These blue and red colors were vivid in my garden a couple weeks ago. Springtime and gardening rejuvinate my spirit after the long winter. Who doesn't like to see the flowers come up after the long months of winter subside?

Another month and Bethie will return home from India. We're counting the days. It isn't easy being in a foreign country, but she went to help and to learn. It will be good to welcome her home. "The Lord watches over the sojourners, he uphods the widow and the fatherlesss,..." Ps 146:9