Sunday 12 March 2017

An ode to Spring . . .





March is a month that either storms in with crashing winds, or tiptoes in gently on the petals of crocus and Daffodil . . . one way or t'other, and it is said that if it does come crashing in, it will leave gently, and . . . vice versa.



Which will it be? We have no real way of knowing for sure. March is what . . . March is. There is something very cleansing about the wind. You cannot pin it down, and try as you may to chase it, there is no catching it. It carries with it the scent of the dark North woods and the white breath of the polar ice caps, with just a hint and whisper of melting warmth as it passes secret hollows where springtime blossoms are already beginning to stir . . .


It's little I care what path I take 
And where it leads it's little I care; 
But out of this house, lest my heart break, 
I must go . . . and off somewhere . . . 
~Edna St Vincent Millay



March winds blow away the settled feelings of snug hearth and flickering candlelight, and I long to follow it's bluster to the world's end to see from whence it comes, with a sixpence in my pocket and a crust of bread and a wedge of cheddar tied up in a hankerchief. Taking to the road like a world traveller, stopping beneath leafy hedges to share my repast with fellow travellers and wayfarers. The scent of blossoming hawthorne in the air accompanied by the song of nightingales singing and the silvery rattle of a tinker's pans as his cart jolts down the roadway . . .


Oh 'tis the month of daffodils with pretty yellow heads bobbling along the waysides . . . and gambolling lambs upon the hillsides . . .

Of purple crocus and greening limb . . .

The month when Spring arrives and blows away the fading chill of Winter's gloom with it's fresh breath . . . we are more than ready to greet her, and we do with open arms . . . it matters not if she arrives with a bluster or a tip of toe . . . only that she comes . . .


I have fallen under her spell.  Everywhere I look daffodils are blooming and the forsythia too . . .  already each bush and tree has been brushed by that early spring flush of tender green.  All we need now is a spell of dry weather to help dry out the quagmire which is our back garden.  The other day while Todd was at the hospital I thought I would let Mitzie out the back for a good old sniff.  BIG mistake.  I ended up having to give her a batch, wash the carpets from the kitchen floor and wash the kitchen floor from muddy foot prints!  We need more March winds to dry things up and less rain.  March came in like a bit of a lamb this year however, so will probably go out with a blast!

  

We have set away for brochures and are studying them for Scottish Holidays.   Todd is entitled to a respite grant because of the cancer and we have applied for it.  It is not much, but we have not been away on any kind of holiday for a very long time now and we have decided that we want to go to Scotland.  The grant can only be used to go somewhere on the UK Mainland and Scotland is an area neither one of us have ever really travelled to.  So we are researching and looking and planning.  We will probably go on a five day coach tour of some sort because they are the most affordable and all things are usually included, such as accomodation, dinners, breakfasts, etc.  Plus Todd will be able to sit back and relax and enjoy the scenery without the stress of driving and putting up with my stressing about driving.  We will see what happens.  I have my fingers crossed!

The Baptism was beautiful yesterday.  It was an elderly gentleman who was taking the dip.   All went well and it was a very joyous occasion.  He will be a wonderful addition to our Ward.  Elder Van Dyken and Sister Caryl sang a beautiful song together for us all.  Elder Van Dyken played the guitar when they sang.  Oh, but they have beautiful voices!  It reminded me of that scene in Sound of Music when Captain Von Trap and Maria are singing while he plays the guitar, except  for the falling in love bit!  It was just really nice.

My plantar F problem has moved up to my ankle so now not only is the bottom of that foot causing me agony, but my ankle on that leg as well.  I suspect I have been holding my foot in a certain way and that has caused another type of strain.  I am not sure what the answer is.  I know that I would get no joy from going to the Docs as all they do is refer you to specialists, who don't do anything for you either.  Been this way before.  I will just have to ride it out and hope that it goes off soon.  But in all honesty after two weeks of it so far I am getting pretty fed up with it.  But that's life!

Ebbs and flows, ups and downs.  You have to roll with the punches. It could always, always be a whole lot worse.

A thought to carry with you through today.


   .° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~\。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ | 田田 |門 ★

 *.˛.° ˛°. . 
˛When your heart speaks, 
   take good notes.
 ~Judith Cambel    •。★★ 。* 。 


Spiritual Enlightenment  

 

In the English Kitchen today . . .  Jam Roly Poly with Custard.  Todd's favourite.  Or one of them anyways!

Have a blessed Sabbath day.  Hope it is filled with lots of good things.  Don't forget!


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And I do too!



4 comments:

  1. Hi Marie, you make March sound so beautiful, I'm really pleased it's here too.
    So sorry about your foot Marie. I know they can operate on it but don't know what it entails. When mine kicks I end up with a bad back cos of the change of posture.
    Oh Scotland!! My favourite place!! I have been to so many places there, both by coach and self drive, so if you need any help in deciding just ask. It's my 60th this year and I am thinking of going to one of the Hebridean islands to a remote cottage for some quiet time!
    Enjoy the rest of your weekend and hope your foot eases off. Lots of love xxx

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  2. Good morning darling. Could you see a podiatrist? Praying for both of you. the ladies I have been knitting with have complained they are missing the English spring while they boil on this boat.

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  3. Oh I hope you go!We would love your journal:)

    No Spring here as of yet;)

    Take care..Bon Dimanche!

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  4. Lochs and glens...that's the name of a tour company, I have known them for a long time many friends have been on there holidays to,Scotland.even my sister and brother in law Mitch went once ( they had to be up for breakfast and away out on a trip by 9.30 not for Mitch he. Brambles before 10 ) ....that was the only reason they went once. But they really are the very best value coach tours that I know of...not sure if they would go from around Chester but can look them up......I am so pleased the baptism went so well. Our Vision meeting came up with a few ideas, main one being we are going to start our coffe and chat at 9 rather than 10 ..it means three people being there from 8 guess who ??....but I am ok bright and early and I have said we must try to stick to two groups 8-10. 10-12 that won't be so much for everyone.....we leave it now in Gods hands to decide if that is the right move. It means young mums could drop in after dropping their children off at school just across the road from the church....This afternoon I have been cracking on with my knitting, got the fronts and up to arms on back finished, so it's getting there....now away to get the pills...I have to take 2an hour or more between them and The three an hour before bed !!!Take care, much love winging it's way to Balcon xxxx

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