Blossom

The persistent rains have left lush in their wakes and a freshness in the air. Today the air is heavy with the perfume from the lilacs that have newly bloomed. Lilacs are my most favourite ... along with the apple blossoms. The slushy hues of lavender and pinks that line the street for just a few days are spectacular eye candy. And that the blooms last for such a short time makes them that more special ... like precious gems... to be enjoyed immensely, intensely and fleetingly. 

A perfect reminder to live presently, fully in the moment. 

Sunshine, Spring and Smiles

The kitchen is blazing with sunshine. I'm inspired. These first few sprinkles of springtime are the most delectable, with promises of glory to come. I only got as far as the flowers on my kitchen table so far this morning, and I am heading out for a daughter day in the city so there will be more. Until then, thought I'd share a little sunlight with you - sure to make you smile - and wish you a great weekend.

Simply Wonderful

What a spectacular Sunday! Temperatures soared above 25 degrees Celsius and the sun deked the splattering of gray overcast. I worked at a charity walk today to raise awareness of the impact of workplace injuries and fatalities ... a bittersweet event ... hope and exuberance tempered by an underlying sadness. Fulfilling.

As I drove up my street the happy bubbles were floating all over the car ... the apple blossoms were in full bloom and the humid air was heavy with their scent. Vivid greens, golds and fuchsia dotted the drive. Don't you think the first flowers of springtime are the best? After the dull browns and gray of a few spartan months, it is revitalizing to witness the return to life; everything awash in technicolour.

The icing on the cake was the bleeding heart in our back yard that was laden with "hearts". A walk about the garden and the pond - turning a blind eye to the healthy crop of dandelions - yields an instance dose of peace; the kind of peace that gives a stillness in the deepest part of myself. Nature has a way of doing that.

All in all - a Sunday to be appreciated and filed under "simply wonderful".

Morning Glory

I'm up with the morning glories ... open and ready to greet the day, and any treasures it may hold. Early morning is a special time. The house is still and the open windows allow the breezes in - the only sounds come from the ticking of my laptop and the songfest from the feathered friends outside the window.

But the world is slowly waking up -- coming to life. The banging of heavy equipment from the work being done down the street has started and the distant hum of the highway is background noise that gets stronger as it gets busier.

This is a precious slice of time to be fully aware, in the moment, enjoying the most simplest of pleasures -- peace and a freshly brewed cup of coffee. This is a time to collect, reflect and ponder the possibilities of the day.

There will be time enough for busy-ness, activities and chores .. but for now, at this exact moment in time there is but one task at hand -- revelling in the quiet - the morning - the best part of the day.

Surprise My Eyes

Look what arrived today while I was home on my day off ... an unexpected surprise!

Doorbell rings. I remove drugstore glasses from my nose, zip up my hoodie to hide my "indecent" non apparel, scoop up a frenzied Fritz into my arms and open the door.

Pleasant looking man holds out enormous bouquet of roses and blossoms as I stand gaping at him. "Who are they from??" He smiles and tells me that I'll have to read the card. We switch - he takes Fritz and I take the flowers. I take Fritz back and smile widely back at man. He nods sheepishly and then leaves, wishing me a good day. I close door with my foot and remember that I didn't remember to tip him. Now I am sheepish. Geesh.

Hubby asks who they are from ... what, they're not from you?

I rip open the cellophane and look for a card. I tear open the envelope ... my dear friend E, the budding artist, wrote something about thanks for being her sheltering tree...

See what happens when you let your friends read your blog? See what happens when you have awesome, amazing, life long friends? You get delightful surprises!

The weekend is off to a wonderful start.

Wordless Wednesday

waiting impatiently

Season of Renewal

Spring is in the atmosphere. It is still in disguise but with every deep inhale you could smell it in the fresh, cool air. I threw open all the windows to let the outside in. The sun broke out in the afternoon and lured us out of our house. We took the dog for a walk in the forest near our home and although the sky was a deepest hue of blue and the sun was brilliant in the sky, the ground and tree branches were dry, bare and tones of dismal. We soldiered on through the soft mushy ground carpeted with last year's leaves, carefully steering Fritz around the open mud puddles.

We strolled leisurely, soaking up every ray of sunshine and when I looked very closely, I was able to find hints of spring; those first few tender shoots of crocuses breaking through the soil. The Christmas cactus in our living room that blooms at Christmas and Easter boasted its first fuschia flower today. A sign of good things to come.

Springtime, with its promise of renewal and prelude to summer has always been one of my favourite seasons. In fact, both seasons of transition (autumn and spring) are my favourite. I suppose this is fitting as it reflects the beauty in the journey and I have always favoured the journey over the destination. I also find change exciting. New possibilities. The feeling that anything can happen.

Renewed and joyful too!

Spring shooting through ...

A Day of Remembrance

Today is Remembrance Day - and because my workplace closes, I have a day off. I always look forward to this day - as a gift of sorts. I traditionally spend it Christmas shopping. So in keeping with tradition I set out early this morning. I couldn't help but notice how many people were wearing poppies and suddenly felt self conscious about the empty space on my jacket where my poppy had been pinned - until it blew away.

I shopped the morning away and just as I was making my way to the checkout, arms laden with goods and goodies, a young female voice came over the P.A. system and started to read "In Flander's Fields". Most people stopped in their tracks, looking confusedly about as if unsure of what to do next. Some ignored the voice altogether, oblivious to anything out of the ordinary. When the reader reached the end of the poem she asked everyone to honour a minute of silence. Everyone - save the newborn screaming for its lunch - fell silent. I have never witnessed such orchestrated, public silence. I found myself reflecting on the words of the poem I had just heard. I marvelled at how even 90 years later we are honouring the sacrifice of the young people of that generation. I thought of the young men and women who are at this very moment, serving in a god forsaken dust bowl in unbearable heat, another world away from their loved ones and all that is familiar to them. They are serving without the comforts of home -- or any comforts at all. They are missing family dinners, as well as milestones - weddings, graduations, births, deaths ... Their lives are in limbo; they are serving in a place what can be likened to purgatory - neither heaven nor hell.

And I wonder when their day is done, and silence falls around them, where do their thoughts take them? Do they know that their efforts are appreciated? Do they know that they will come home different people, forever changed by their experiences and hardships? If they could hear me now I would tell them - thank you. I remember.