From Skilled Hands » Spring

Spring in My Valley: Another Look

fromskilledhands — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 12:48:36 +0000

Share this!

Spring Comes to the Valley: A My Town Monday Post

fromskilledhands — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 03:49:22 +0000

Ask anyone in the Village of Peninsula about Spring and you will most likely get a big smile, and a comment about the weather, the gray skies and sunshine (if we have it that day). The last of the snow that seemed to last forever is gone for now, at least. Plants are emerging from the soil, working their way through the leaves and clumps of soil that have sheltered them throughout the long winter.

Each time I go out, I see more signs of the change of the seasons. Here are a few:

What’s happening in your neck of the woods? Visit My Town Monday to see what other folks have to say.

Share this!

Spring is a Time of Renewal

fromskilledhands — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 23:47:51 +0000

Those of us who live in NE Ohio treasure these early spring days, when warm breezes and blue skies give us respite from the long gray days of winter. The snow that remains is crusty and gray with the dirt of cars and trucks, as it morphs into puddles and mud. The dogs are happy since they have plenty of mud in which to roll and to track into the house.

Buds adorn the trees, tentatively ready to open, hoping that frosts that are sure to come will be kind to them.

The mackerel sky tells me that the weather is going to change; rain and thunderstorms are predicted for the next few days. That’s ok with me. It’s another sign of spring.

I. AM. READY.

Share this!

A Walk in the Woods After a Spring Rain

fromskilledhands — Sat, 02 May 2009 19:24:33 +0000

We went for a walk in the woods last night. It had been raining on and off all day, and the air smelled like spring rain and fertile soil. There was the quiet coolness that follows a rain, with the only sounds the birds and the dogs playing in the woods.

We ran into my father-in-law and his dog. They slowly made their way through the woods, stopping to look at this and that, and to clear sticks from the trails. The May apples were up, groups of them like families at a reunion. Jacks in the pulpit were all along the trails. Fiddleheads emerged from winter’s sleep.

It’s a good thing to take time to look at things; you see things you’ve not seen before, and things you have seen in a different way. Take a deep breath and take a walk. Let your senses explore the explosion of beauty that surrounds you. Let me know what it’s like.

Share this!

Jeepers Peepers

fromskilledhands — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 04:31:48 +0000

If we pay attention, the natural world lets us know in many ways that the seasons are changing. The quality of the light is one thing I start to notice when Spring is just a promise. Each year my husband reminds me that it is only February, and that Winter has a ways to go. I see birds at the feeders that have spent the long Winter in the south and I hear their Spring songs. As I look at the willow and maple trees, I am aware of the familiar yellow and red tints, as their buds swell. Spring bulbs poke through the leaves that blanket their beds, and hints of yellow and blue appear. And then there are these sounds that I now hear each night:

What lets you know that Spring is here?

Share this!

Wordless Wednesday

fromskilledhands — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 04:10:17 +0000

Share this!

Gratitude: Musings on My 200th Post

fromskilledhands — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 23:53:34 +0000

Somehow it seems rather fitting that this is my 200th post. I have so much for which to be grateful, and my awareness is acute on this day.

It is Spring. The birds singing; the quality of the light; buds swelling on the old apple tree outside my kitchen window—-all these things are reminders that there is a cyclical nature to our lives and the lives around us. The goldfinches are sporting yellow feathers; each breeding male hoping each female will see his coat as the one for her. The cats are losing their winter coats and bulk. This was a long winter, and they needed it all.

The chickens. Bless the chickens and the eggs they are giving us, and the manure that will help our garden grow. I am grateful for their clucks and sounds that let me know they are there.

Two of the dogs have had their Spring grooming. No more winter dirty dog smell. Lily the Toy Poodle will be next—when the weather warms up a bit. Lily is really a farm dog. She has no idea she is small, tipping the scales at 8 pounds. She has herded the chickens and taken on the cats.Then she curls up in a little ball and goes to sleep.

And #1 daughter has been home this week, gracing our lives with her presence. It has been a good week, full of conversation and relaxation. We’ll be leaving for the airport soon. It is a bittersweet time for both of us.

Seeing my children grow and spread their wings reminds me that we, as parents, are really gardeners. We create as rich an environment as we can, providing love and care. We place the seedlings in what we hope is the best place, letting them harden off before we put them outside to grow on their own. We do the very best we can with the tools and information we have at any given time. But we don’t make them grow. They do that all by themselves. It is an amazing process to share. And for that, too, I am grateful.

Share this!

Wordless Wednesday: On My Mind

fromskilledhands — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 13:16:05 +0000

Share this!

Spring is in the Air: A My Town Monday Post

fromskilledhands — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 02:02:44 +0000

As I sit here, I hear the cardinals and chickadees outside. The goldfinches at the feeders are sporting faint yellow feathers. The snowdrops are up. Rain is pouring on the metal roof, its familiar sounds comforting me.

The stream is racing, water cascading over rocks and winter debris. But mostly, I smell dogs. Dirty. Wet. Dogs.

Mud. Season. Is. Here. Squishy boot sucking mud. Everywhere. It is part of the promise of spring in the Valley. And for this, I am thankful.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Slog on over to rockin’ MTM Guru Travis Erwin’s blog, and you’ll not only read about his neck of the woods, but you’ll find links to the sites of my fellow MTM Marauders.

Share this!

A Bit of This and That

fromskilledhands — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 13:24:59 +0000

The septic problems have thankfully been resolved. A broken pipe was the culprit, and once it was diagnosed, it was easily fixed. Temperatures in the low teens made working outside a challenge.

Today is sunny and very cold. I always forget how penetrating March cold is………..until March. I am drinking my morning cuppa watching the birds gobble seed and suet at the feeders. Soon I’ll be off to the local ski lodge for #2 daughter’s ski and snowboarding club. It’s near the end of the season around here and today will be pizza for all. This is my last year as the adviser of the ski club. I am grateful that I have had the opportunity to share the time with such a fine group of folks.

Share this!