Evening Calm

Spring weather nudged us outdoors these past few days.  We tended a rambunctious patch of wild black raspberries on Thursday.  Last year this patch offered up tart, flavorful berries which we shared with birds, deer and rabbits.  It felt good to be out in the heart of our forest.

We have pruned our grape plants and nibbled chives and bright, tender lemony sorrel.  We have snow in the forecast, but blue skies and forty degrees sure felt good for a few days.

My technical difficulties with the camera have prevented more posting this week, and will probably not have an opportunity to post a Sunday Stroll tomorrow with family coming for Easter. 

Wherever you are, whatever the weather, I wish you blue skies and good company.

Sunday Stroll Along the Creek

am having tech trouble. will post asap.

If you have time this week for a Sunday Stroll, please post about about it on your blog and then come back here with a comment and a link to your post. You may use the Sunday Stroll button at the top of this post on your post or side bar if you would like.


Though I could not get my photos to post, there is a lovely stroll to view at Comfrey Cottages!

Sunday Stroll - Song of Spring Approaching

"You and I can turn and look at the silent river and wait.  We know the current is there, hidden, and there are comings and goings from miles away that hold the stillness exactly before us.  What the river says, that is what I say."  ~ William Stafford

Out past next year's firewood

and beyond the grape yard

 through a door of golden light in a cedar wall

I peek in at the mushroom laying yard.

All is still.

I walk along the cedars, past the tree where crows roost.

There were no crows here when we came, nearly a year ago.

I am grateful the crows have returned to play their role 

in keeping nature whole and balanced.

Ahead lies the trail into the woods.

Sunlight and shadows,

dimples in the snow, 

a wild meander of animal prints.

The wind leaves her mark here too,

in wind-dance patterns on the snow.

Elegant, elongated tracks lead into shadow

and to the quiet edge of the dark water swamp.

I look toward a stand of slender silver maples.

All is still.

My feet crunch on the snow.

The sun pours silent golden music down through the trees...

the Song of Spring Approaching.

Wherever you are, whatever the weather, I wish you golden music and the joys of spring.

Sunday Stroll Invitation

For the first time, in way too long, I am offering a Sunday Stroll Invitation.  I may be a little slow on posting the links since I have much to accomplish today here on the farm...

 If you have time this week for a Sunday Stroll, please post about about it on your blog and then come back here with a comment and a link to your post. You may use the Sunday Stroll button at the top of this post on your post or side bar if you would like.

My stroll will be posted shortly.  Less pictures than I intended, but the tablet that I am using as a camera did not function well.  Despite that, I had a lovely walk.

My own stroll is posted here.
Leslie, of Comfrey Cottages,  posted some of her backyard nature photos today.

Saturday Supper

"Much of my reading time over the last decade and a half has been spent reading aloud to my children. Those children's bedtime rituals of supper, bath, stories, and sleep have been a staple of my life and some of the best, most special times I can remember." 

 ~ Louise Brown

Just my youngest and I were at home this evening.  He is ten now and shares my love of  stories and quiet moments.  It is a poignant pleasure to spend time with someone who is growing so fast.  He is becoming something new and something more every day, and yet keeping that bright lively spirit that he has had since his first breath.  

A little while ago, we sat down together to a very simple supper of roasted vegetables and lemon quinoa pilaf.   Now, he is nibbling a few of the left over roasted chickpeas and reading near me on the couch as I write this.

Where ever you are, whatever the weather, I wish you quiet moments.

Word Picture - Recess Duty (17 Degrees Farenheit)

I perch on a small green dinosaur
as four children in puffy winter gear
bounce and bop in a red metal jeep.
Sunlight glints upon the ice-glazed snow
and a single black bird flies through
the clean bright sky.