Observing

A beautiful summer's day today.
Lower temperatures, and soft gentle rain, of which is greatly appreciated.

In-between showers, sunbursts and gentle breezes, makes for happy flowers.

Not so pretty, but necessary, wire cages enclose all flowers and shrubs that the deer like to eat.

We had new visitors to the garden today, two mother-hen wild turkeys with their babies, happily plodding along by their sides.

The momma deer,  finally decided to share her new fawn with us, after much anticipation.

Turkeys are becoming a rarity in several Tennessee counties that were once in abundance, it's a sweet pleasure to know they are still here amongst us.

Hope all is well and sweet, in your little corner of the world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Returning

I have some very exciting news to share......

We are going to become great- grandparents to a precious little girl in September.

After years of patiently waiting for this blessing, we couldn't be more excited !

A season of new birth and growth, what could be a more fitting beginning.

 

 

 

In April

 

 

This I saw on an April day:

Warm rain spilt from a sun-lined cloud,

A sky-flung wave of gold at evening,

And a cock pheasant treading a dusty path

Shy and proud.

And this I found in an April field:

A new white calf in the sun at noon,

A flash of blue in a cool moss bank,

And tips of tulips promising flowers

To a blue-winged loon.

And this I tried to understand

As I scrubbed the rust from my brightening plow:

The movement of seed in furrowed earth,

And a blackbird whistling sweet and clear

From a green-sprayed bough.

 

~ James Hearst  (1900-1983)

 

Bee-ing Busy

The garden is all abuzz, with bees, and butterflies, lightning bugs and ladybugs.

All so very busy dutifully distributing the pollen amongst the flowers.

I thank them more than words can say.

 

Like trains of cars on tracks of plush
I hear the level bee:
A jar across the flowers goes,
Their velvet masonry
Withstands until the sweet assault
Their chivalry consumes,
While he, victorious, tilts away
To vanquish other blooms.
His feet are shod with gauze,
His helmet is of gold;
His breast, a single onyx
With chrysoprase, inlaid.
His labor is a chant,
His idleness a tune;
Oh, for a bee's experience
Of clovers and of noon!

~ Emily Dickinson : The Bee (1830)

 

 

 

 

May Days

We have had more than our share of rain in this ' Fair Month of May '.

Fields stood ankle-deep in water, farmers delayed their planting.

Half-way through the month, we had a late frost, not the best conditions for tender young plants to make their appearance, but despite it all,  appear they did.

 

 

The days have warmed and watering cans are once again being lugged around the garden.

  

 

And as if by magic, Winter browns have turned into Summer rainbows.

The cycle continues.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

           

 

" Everything is blooming most recklessly; if it were voices instead of colors, there would be an unbelievable shrieking into the heart of the night."

~Rainer Maria Rilke

 

April Showers Bring May Flowers

I sing of brooks, of blossoms, birds, and bowers:
Of April, May, of June, and July flowers.
I sing of Maypoles, Hock-carts, wassails, wakes,
Of bridegrooms, brides and of their bridal cakes.

Robert Herrick 1591-1674

click to enlarge

A Flower Expected Everywhere

We have had lots of rain the past two weeks, the newly budding flowers have shown their gratitude and color is in abundance throughout the garden.
Oh, how I love this time of the year.


I sing of brooks, of blossoms, birds, and bowers:
Of April, May, of June, and July flowers.
I sing of Maypoles, Hock-carts, wassails, wakes,
Of bridegrooms, brides, and of their bridal cakes.

Robert Herrick 1591-1674

Awakening Days

The warmer weather we were afforded this past week, has forced the Iris shoots to poke through the soil.
I trust they know that Winter is not yet over.

The bird feeders have been a flurry of activity, and I've witnessed Spring cleaning of the birdhouses. A busy little Carolina Wren, with her beak full of feathers, moss and sticks, flinging it all so recklessly with little regard for it's former tenant.

The flowers I keep inside brighten my Winter days and pacify my need, until the garden will once again be bursting with life.

"Winter is on my head, but eternal spring is in my heart."~ Victor Hugo