Tulip-Mania!

We are expecting a cold spell this week. I think the temperature has dropped, only I have been indoors lots, and wearing a big thick coat when I have been outside. The weather forecast keeps on warning us that we feel very cold at some point.

Despite the threat of wintry weather – spring is popping up in every corner. I particularly love walking past the florist round the corner from where I am staying – it has every possible shade of tulip.

Aaaah – tulip-mania is a definite sign that spring is winning this battle!!

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

The Beautiful Spot I Call Home

During the past few weeks, spring has been encroaching in all directions…and I love it of course! But several times during the past week, the beauty that greets me every time I unlock the huge goats that hide my little nest away from the rest of the world really took my breath away.

It is so incredibly pretty. Now the magnolias are out, and I am utterly charmed. It is a stunning time of year, and the garden outside my front door is pure paradise. An escape from London…an oasis to revive my spirits.

What would I do without spring?

The Days Are Growing Longer

I finished work last night just after half past five….and when I left the office, I realized that was something was very different. It was light!!

It felt great. It was dark by the time I reached my little nest…but at least it is a sign that light, glorious light, sunshine, warmth, colour, life are all taking over again!

Photo by Johannes Plenio on Pexels.com

I love what is ahead of us. The darkness will soon be gone.

All The Signs Of Spring

I was walking to a big supermarket the other day (because I could not find sesame seeds or rapeseed oil in our local shops) and noticed the birds were particularly jubilant. There were huge buds looking as if they were about to burst forth flashes of coloured blossoms.

It was exciting!!! All the signs that spring is about to unveil itself in all its glory. Joy of joys!!!

I need to get myself together now….tomorrow I start my new job. How scary is that!

Blossoming

Aaaaah – anticipation is building indeed! SPRING is ahead. I am very excited.

How have I survived winter? How have I survived almost three months without Goldfinch? It’s been the longest winter without him.

I know it will be a whole lot easier now that spring and summer are around the corner at long last! Yay! Spring – bring it on!

Summer I have missed you – I have missed you almost as enough as I have missed gorgeous Goldfinch!

I am sure Goldfinch is blossoming. I am sure he is thriving and loving every moment of his time back in Australia. I do try not to take too much of his time with my penpal epistles to him. But I love him like I love the spring and the summer. I have been secretly (or not so secretly) longing for him just as I have longed all winter for the warmth of the sunshine.

I am needing something to look forward to…spring and summer will be wonderful. But, now, more than ever, I need Goldfinch to hold me. To hold me really tight and make it all alright.

But there are very good things ahead. A lot of healing will take place during spring and summer.

Anticipation Building…

If there is one thing that is going to help me get through the next couple of months it is my building excitement over the return of spring!!! Perhaps you feel that way too?

Just think no matter what has occurred in human history – all manner of trials or hardships – nothing has stopped the march of the seasons. Spring is coming, just as sure as the sun rises each day! It makes me ripple with pleasure at the thought of what is ahead!!!!!!!!

Soon the long hard winter of man’s rule will have passed and life will return! Then there will be a celebration like no other!

Storms And Rainbows

Despite everything that is causing anxiety, it has been an incredible spring. I have had a taste of it each morning and each evening when I am going to work and walking home. I walked down my road the other day listening to birds and admiring the colours of flowers and the scent from the wisteria. The trees are bulging with heavy green foliage.

It has been glorious. My family are still staying at home. We are helping each other, supporting one another – physically, emotionally, financially and there is no shortage of home entertainment videos.

My boss likes to make sure we end a shift at work with a song and a dance. It is great fun. We need that lift after a hard day at work. I am working again today. I am looking forward to coming home and resting after a busy week at work. Sleep is so delicious of late. I am still sleeping nine or ten hours every night, which is incredible for my body and my brain.

Although I have spent more time than usual on my own of late, I keep on thinking of the incredible people I have met on my voyage through life, people who inspired me and encouraged me to make brave decisions. I spurned the world’s economic system to work full time as an international volunteer. People laughed and asked how I could live without any wages. I lived. I truly lived. I felt rich.

I have been thinking about the Liberian refugees we met in Ghana seventeen years ago. I have been thinking of my cousins who were in Rwanda working on a project with Hutu and Tutsi volunteers when violence engulfed the region. I have been thinking of Katrina, who I cared for until she took her last breaths – she was one of the most beautifully hearted people I have ever known. I am so grateful that my life has been so rich with people who have taught me that even in the most terrifying of situations, unexpected acts of love and self-sacrifice arise.

Even in storms there are people who help you see rainbows everywhere you look.

 

I Want My Spring

Teresa’s prompt today stirred my thoughts of what is to come! I am already excited by the thought of spring being on the doorstep!

For today’s writing prompt, use the image above of a spring wood as the setting for a story, poem, or other creative venture. There are no rules except to enjoy yourself and follow where the prompt leads.

https://maplesswanderer.wordpress.com/2020/02/04/daily-writing-prompt-feb-4/

I have been helping out extra during January (and it looks like I will be working a lot of extra hours during February too) at my paid job, because they are very short-staffed. I have mentioned to our manager that I can be flexible on a short term temporary basis, but I am really looking forward to them recruiting a new member of staff. I know they have had interviews and I think there are more lined up. But I hope they have someone by spring time because I do not want to miss out on enjoying spring!

Just at the end of my road lies deep dark woods. Right now they are almost barren, devoid of life and charm. Stiff breezes are clearing away the autumn leaves that have lain upon the ground all these cold grey months.

But there are tiny buds emerging. Signs of life to come are hidden away. Nature is hatching something spectacular – I know it!

I want to be ready to behold the unfolding of spring. I am longing to discover the joys of colour and floral fragrances again. I long to walk in the woodland alongside the scampering rabbits and squirrels. I am craving for the blue skies, the fresh green leaves and the emergence of rainbowed flowers. I am yearning to breathe in spring again and to see the kind of smiles and relief that comes when we know the dark, cold months have been vanquished once again.

Hark! Spring is on the way! A jubilant chorus awaits us! Hold on for these last few bitter grey weeks. They will lose their hold. Spring will reign supreme and launch us into golden summers!

Spring Is The Springboard To Fun

What does spring mean to me? The end of a long dark, cold, grey period which I always feel I have to endure and therefore end up comfort eating and being lazier than I would like.

Spring makes me feel excited and optimistic and energised. I am a summer girl through and through, but spring prepares me for what is to come. All sorts moves me to start sorting out my life, my schedule, my wardrobe, so that I can enjoy every moment of the warmer months to come.

My heart lifts when blossom appears and flowers of very colour. I find my smiles becoming abundant. There is a spring in my step and a song in my heart and I relish every moment of being awake. Spring means life and colour and warmth – and it’s a sign that there is lots of fun ahead!

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This was my post in response to the writing prompt from Sarah Elizabeth Moore:

https://sarahelizabethmoore.org/2019/04/28/writing-prompt-17/

Properly Preparing For Spring

What do I do to prepare for spring? I don’t feel I was quite prepared enough for this unusually beautiful spring bank holiday weekend.

I opened my wardrobe and saw too many wool sweaters and cardis, long sleeved tops,  jersey dresses, and there was not a single pair of shorts!

This weekend has been utterly gorgeous. I had two days in the sun. I had to work on Saturday and I have to work for six hours today. Have to keep thinking about bringing in more pennies towards the Australia fund!

But I have realized I need to finish off packing my winter clothes away (I made a start a few weeks ago). I have already pulled out my storage bags from under the bed and I found some beautiful dresses. I want to fill my wardrobe with floral prints and floaty fabrics.

And I am also finding clothes that will be useful for my trip to Australia.

I also need to sort out my sun-glasses. I broke two pairs last year. I have two other pairs, but where are they? I need to hunt for them because after being out in the sun I had terrible head pain.

Well…I have to make sure I am already for next time we have a burst of beautiful weather here in England.

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This was my post in response to the prompt from Sarah Elizabeth Moore:

https://sarahelizabethmoore.org/2019/04/21/writing-prompt-16/