The snow has melted but the rains have continued. All is gray and bleak. Spring seems so far away.
The creeks are muddy and swollen. The ground is soggy and sloshes when you step off the sidewalk into the grass.
There are those who enjoy this rainy weather. They all seem to have feathers.
The weatherman says the cold, bitter weather will be returning in a few days; but hope is on the way. Buds are forming on the hellebores in my garden; they haven't opened yet. I am waiting impatiently.
Every winter my Mother and I have a tradition where we both eagerly look every day for any sign of spring. We closely watch the croci in our yards. When the first one blooms, the winner calls the other and proudly boasts. Even though nothing has bloomed yet in my yard this year, I did find this. Almost opened, but not quite yet...will it count?
THIS ONE IS FOR YOU MOM!
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| I win.
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Now I took some time to read about the various themes on your blog. ( With my limited English knowledge) In "about me" you said, your life is dull. Will you allow me the following remarks? Having a loving husband, three goodly children, a sweet mother, good friends, living in a free country , having a comfortable home, a lovely garden
ReplyDeleteand surely many more other good things, you are really blessed and
privileged (you can call it your way).
So, Jeannie, --- enjoy the day !
Christel
I nearly forgot to mention your little dog.
Christel, thank you for your kind remarks. Yes, my life is really blessed. God has been good to me but my life is not perfect, nor is it easy. There is a new phenomenon in this modern age created by social media where people only show their lives as being perfect. I have only shown one side of my life here in America. There is another, one where I cry out to God for help, guidance and protection. Perhaps someday I will be brave enough to share my heartaches, but for right now, I can only show the good parts.
DeleteAgain, thank you for your cheerful and encouraging words. I will enjoy my day!
I think just hearing that other's lives come with struggles, sadness, grief and joy, with having a simple frugal life, is truly inspiring. I think that about my life sometimes, b/c I have lost much. So much. But now I see God is constantly refining me, even in the simple life I lead, happiness, joy, and love spread. There is so much brokenness out here, just a smile and kind word to a stranger changes things. No life is ever dull, we all have a purpose. LOVE to have stumbled upon your blog. Much love from cold Michigan!
DeleteLana
Thank you Lana, your comment touched my heart deeply. I am most definitely being refined and oh, how uncomfortable it is. It is the brokenness all around me that hurts so. Many times a kind word is all I am able to give. I yell to God about all the pain and ask Him why He doesn't do something about it? He replies, why don't you (Jeannie) do something about it?
DeleteI love your crocus! I, also, am getting ready to put this extra-snowy winter behind me. I'm getting eager to get out and dig in the dirt in my new-to-me garden.
ReplyDeleteHang in there. Hope is a powerful thing. We all need it. If I didn't believe things can and will get better........So, I continue to enjoy the little things like you do...a crocus here, a river there, a cute little doggie to hug (enjoyed that post as well, by the way), and read gardening catalogs! That's hope in a hundred pages or less:)
I am so ready for this winter to be over! This is the worse part, February. It is not the shortest month but the absolute longest since it seems forever.
DeleteI too have garden catalogs piled up everywhere. It is going to be fun watching your spring garden grow. Did the previous owners of your house have a garden in the back yard? I remember pictures looked like something might have been there.
They did have a garden, so there is a nice area for that. It's one of the reasons we bought this house, in fact. It's been a real adjustment living in town, but having a garden area has helped me deal with my lack of land. It will do me good to be able to get out there and dig in the dirt and the hope of that is helping me, although I miss my other lifestyle badly. I keep reminding myself of how lucky I am to have a garden area at all--many don't. And, a house to live in. Many don't have that, either.
DeleteOh Becky, how you can be so positive after all you have been through this past year is amazing.
DeleteI have to think back to Swiss days, when we lived in a flat, and walked in the forest and hills to see the flowers.
ReplyDeleteSuch a glowing beacon of hope - your golden crocus.
I posted the picture for my Mom then immediately called her and asked her to read the post to me. When she reached the last picture, she exclaimed, "It can't be real! This is too early. It must be one of those silk flowers from the dollar store stuck into the ground (I did do that one year)." She has not admitted defeat yet; we are at stalemate.
DeleteIt's mud season on the farm as well although my daffs are pushing through. Earth is confused but God will prevail; He has a plan.
ReplyDeleteWelcome Sandra, I have just visited your site and have been enjoying it. So inspiring, positive and uplifting.
DeleteI will agree the earth is confused, especially around here; however, I do wish God's plan would include a little more sunshine in February and a bit more rain in August. Just suggesting....
I haven't even looked outside to see if my crocus are up! They love to pop out on a sunny day. We haven't had many sunny days this month! Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home!
ReplyDelete