Spring Song

Spring Song

Photograph by: Karen Holmes

"Where is your water?

Know your garden.

It is time to speak your Truth.

Create your community.

Be good to each other.

And do not look outside yourself

for the leader."

- The Elders, Hopi Nation

Excerpted from "This is the Hour..."

Today I hope that you will hear your Spring Song,
and recognize the music of your garden.

Thank you for your goodness,
and for this creative community of belonging.

Garden Friends

Lavender in Mirror

Photograph by: Karen Holmes

"However many years she lived,

Mary always felt that she should never forget

that first morning when her garden began to grow'."
— Frances Hodgson Burnett (The Secret Garden)  

Looking Right

Photograph by: Karen Holmes

 "If you look the right way, you can see that the whole world is a garden."

— Frances Hodgson Burnett (The Secret Garden)

Jan and I have been celebrating each other’s birthdays for so many years now that it makes us laugh for joy as we try to remember when this beautiful tradition really began… On Sunday, it was Jan's turn. Jan loves the book "The Secret Garden", and so do I, which is probably why we find ourselves celebrating with little trips to garden places that inspire us in magical ways. I like that her birthday welcomes spring, and that my birthday welcomes summer. I like that we also meet at Christmas… and try to do an autumn meeting (at her husband’s suggestion a few years back). Four seasons of celebration…so lovely...

our very own Secret Garden of Friendship.

Happy Year to you, Jan!

Such a charming day of goodness!

 

Garden Inspirations

Photographs by: Karen Holmes  

Spring Flirts

Flirty Tulips

Photograph by: Karen Holmes

"Inspiration is always a surprising visitor."

- John O'Donohue

I heard there was more snow back east... but I know a sweet secret... spring will be visiting them soon, too. Just when it seems as if the rain (or snow) will never end, and the cold will never stop finding its way deep into your bones and fingertips, and heavy coats will never find their way to the back of the closet ever again - it is then that she arrives on a whoosh of fresh-air! And, lo and behold, lady-like spring is at it again - such a flirt, she turns even the most reluctant heads to make them smile... such allure... such engaging inspiration! Such exquisite joy!



Surprise!

Photograph by: Karen Holmes

Sea's Bedtime Story

Bedtime Story

Photograph by: Karen Holmes

"There is a way that nature speaks, that land speaks.
Most of the time we are simply not patient enough,
quiet enough to pay attention to the story."
- Linda Hogan

When the sun sets over the ocean, the familiar rhythm is there – that ever constant high-low lullaby of tidal confirmation touching sandy edges to sing an evening song. Standing there facing west, toes to chilled damp sand, the salty-air is carried on an evening breeze announcing week’s finish… how lovely of God to get out the paints and brushes…

Wishing you a blessed week's end...

Yard Trees

Photograph by: Karen Holmes

“If you would know strength and patience

welcome the company of trees.”

- Hal Borland 

Yard Trees … the comfort of their company lives in such medley over years and days. There are so many... the gently-swaying, whispering willow; a grandparent's gracious cherry tree nicked and notched by climbing cousins; the mighty pine that was once a tiny slender seedling; the showy Jacaranda fluttering petite purple blooms upon fresh-mowed grass; the generous orange tree – abundantly sweet in both heavily-scented blossoms and fruit; and, oh yes, the surprise rose-white flowered tree leaning against a Victorian on a much-walked pathway...

Yard trees do much to soften the harsh-edges and angles of our familiar yards… sometimes it is simply courteous to open your eyes to the goodness of such things…and be grateful...

Where are your beloved Yard Trees?