The Hope of Spring
To introduce myself, I'm Cathy and I’m a retired Decorative Art teacher who still paints with a group of friends each week for fun, creativity and lots of chatter. I closed my studio a year ago to do some travelling and to concentrate on another love – being an author. I taught this wonderful art form for over 22 years and my first book Beauty All Around was published over 10 years ago. Over the years I have had some short stories and poems published in other books and magazines. My latest book Gentle Whispers will be available soon. I hope to make regular updates to let you all know what is happening in this beautiful corner of the world and hopefully even some helpful hints, reflective thoughts, things of interest and beauty along the way.
THE HOPE OF SPRING.
Welcome to spring at our home which we call Garden Terrace. I just love spring ~ the promise of new life. All that has lain dormant, to protect itself in the colder months of winter, feels the first touch of warmth. Before you know it buds are appearing and birds are singing. Baby ducklings down on the water’s edge are keeping their mums on their toes (well, little webbed feet) as they take their first splash in the cool crisp water. They are such a delight to watch don’t you think? Magpies and plovers are protecting their young (at our expense) too. Have you ever been swooped by these crazy birds? It is quite frightening, especially when you had no intention at all, of harming their cute little babies!
Spring flowers are such a delight, as each year they know exactly the right time to break through the soil. Their first hope of life appears, showing the little bright green tips, telling us they haven’t forgotten to wake up as their healing, resting time is over. Have you ever wondered how they know to do that? I often ponder on this and am so grateful to the Higher Power that controls all our seasons. Then, before you know it, beautiful daffodils are dancing in the breeze without a care in the world.
In our garden at Garden Terrace, there has been great excitement with the success of growing cold climate bulbs again. After moving a few years ago, from the cold winter frosts of a lovely country town where we lived for 17 years, one of my missions in my coastal garden has been to grow beautiful bulb flowers. Well, this year; freesias, jonquils, miniature daffodils, blue bells and snowflakes have blessed us with their company. Placing the bulbs in the crisper of the fridge for a long cold sleep first, seems to do the trick. We have yet to succeed in growing tulips in our coastal garden. We had so many of these glorious blooms in the country. You could have been forgiven to think you had visited Holland.
One of my favourite flowers in our back courtyard garden is the Cecile Brunner climbing rose. Every years we give it such a severe pruning, it amazes me that it comes back so well. A nursery man told us to do this one year when poor Cecile was not looking well at all. We only leave about thirty centimetres but she doesn’t seem to mind at all, as each spring the new shoots soon turn into long stems with pretty pale pink buds just waiting to burst into full bloom.
As I sit typing this little note to you, I can see Cecile Brunner climbing up the brick wall reaching to the sun. I’m sure she knows that spending time in the sunshine is necessary for her growth and wellbeing. This reminds me of my relationship with my Heavenly Father. As I spend time with Him each day, basking in the warmth of His perfect love, it brings light, growth and wellbeing to my day. I hope you experience this too.
Well haven't I rambled on for my first post ~ I hope you come and visit me again soon. At the moment you can just follow your nose as the perfume from the mix of flowers is so strong. Oh I am having a flash back to a painting I did a few years ago at the foot of the mountains in the country where we lived. A beautiful Lavender farm stretched for miles ~ you could have thought you were in the countryside of southern France. I will leave you with this scene and hope spring where you live is blessing you with warmth, love and laughter.
Blessings,
Cathy x
