Signs of Spring

Since I am home right now, I’ve started my morning walks around the neighborhood. I’m enjoying the cool mornings and the time I have to be able to enjoy this simple pleasure.

Yesterday’s walk was started with a sunny, blue sky. Today the sky is gray and the wind is cool enough to give me an earache. I’m hoping that the forecast is true and that we get some badly needed rain for our gardens and lakes.

I keep looking for signs of spring and there are a few starting to peek out. The Bradford Pears are starting to bloom their white frothy flowers and in one yard there is that one daffodil shyly peeking out from its leaves. The Iris is starting to look perky, trees are starting to get plump buds and a few have even sprouted a few leaves. The Mexican Plum is pushing out its white flowers as well.

I haven’t seen a red bud in bloom yet though, and to me, that is my personal sign that spring has sprung. My own red bud tree is still quietly sleeping away.

In my own garden, my daffodils are pushing up from the ground and my pansies are still looking happy. Radishes are radishing away.

Winter is still here but slowly loosening its hold.

Still come the flakes of white,Like blossoms pure and light.–J. Hazard Hartzell (1830–90)

A weekend read: Moon Women

I just finished reading Moon Women by Pamela Duncan. The setting is the North Carolina foothills and the story is set around women that are just like us. There is Marvelle the granny who says it is just old age and that is why she is so forgetful. Ruth Ann, who has to be in control of everything in order to feel safe. Cassandra, finally taking the courage to take a step out of her comfort zone. And, Ashley, a young woman full of life and not knowing how to deal with it. The book takes us through the lives of all these women and how they each finally come to terms with who they are and how they learn to accept each other.

This book was on my shelf for a long time and I never read it for whatever reason there was, but I’m glad that I finally did. We all have mothers and daughters, and they all drive us crazy, but we are mothers and daughters and we love each other very much. We all turn to each other when we need to and we always know that we will always be there.

This is a wonderful book that I highly recommend for weekend read.