"My mind sees that I am nothing, my heart sees that I am everything, between these two poles my life unfolds."

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

A Warm Welcome



We had serious meltage over the weekend and I saw a number of robins and even a big 'ol housefly, so I got on my rubber boots and went outside to look for signs of life in my garden! I can already see that our first order of business will be to re-stain the deck...


I hadn't opened my garden shed (aka: my "office") since I'd shut it tight one very bitter afternoon in early November. This was the delightful greeting I received when I threw open the doors :) I'll admit that I actually got a bit choked up, lol! It was a long winter. 


The familiar smells were so welcoming (Eau de Summer?) and I sat down with my coffee for a spell. Does your shed look like mine first thing in the spring? Be thankful for what you can't see! We shove all our lawn furniture in at the very last and anything else that's lying about just before the snow flies and come spring have to do a big clean-up. 


A little camera shy :) You can barely see it, but that green step-ladder has been kicking around over fifty years - we've had it for close to thirty. Needless to say it's getting rickety! 


Speaking of clean-up - my yard is a disaster. As the leaves descend in the fall, I bag up the majority, but a good portion are piled on top of the beds to blanket them through the winter. What a mess come spring! I spent three hours outside yesterday and plan to work at it a little bit each day this week.

Poppies are one of the first plants to wake up. I love their bright green furry leaves.

A peony bud - this plant has white blooms.

Did you know that April is poetry month? I didn't either - thanks Em :) I'd love you to share your favourite piece of prose - perhaps it's one that you remember from childhood or something you've only recently discovered. When you open my comments section, you'll see a silly one I committed to memory many moons ago - for some unknown reason it comes back to me quite regularly!



Here's one of the great modern poets - Joni Mitchell
I am always impressed with her verbal gymnastics in this one!

Have a great week :)

36 comments:

  1. Kentucky Belle by Constance Fenimore Woolen
    My grandmother use to recite this poem to me. It takes place during the war between the states about a horse. It's always makes me cry. Glad to see how spring is vast approaching your way. It full bloom here in Tenn. allergies and all.

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    1. Thanks for sharing - I checked it out and this is probably the longest poem - ever!!

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  2. Dear Jane,
    I LOVE your greeting when you opened your shed door! :-)
    What color will your poppies be? I love the poppies in England!
    I look forward to your garden photos when everything is popping up!
    I love poetry!
    "And wind flowers and violets
    which yet join not scent to hue,
    Crown the pale year weak and new." Shelley

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    1. Hi Kay, My poppies are an Oriental Red :) I love this time of year - I miss taking pics - winter pics are pretty, but there's nothing like the variety of spring and summer - and fall. A very lovely selection - thanks.

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  3. Hi Jane, I wish I had a garden shed! I love the Halloween style broomstick. I'm not a great poetry lover but here's one I've always liked from Dorothy Parker called Resumé.
    Razors pain you;
    Rivers are damp;
    Acids stain you;
    And drugs cause cramp;
    Guns aren't lawful;
    Nooses give;
    Gas smells awful;
    You might as well live.

    I first read this when I was a teenager and it made me laugh! It still does! Have a good week.

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    1. Sulky, I hope that you will someday have one - I really love mine - it's totally private and I have a couple of chairs and a little table in it. My needs are very simple :)

      I've seen this one by Dorothy Parker before - it's a good one!

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  4. Ha ha ha...I love your line "...got a bit choked up". I feel the same way when I open up my shed in the spring and take a look inside. Looks like you have sweet signs of life! Won't be long now.


    Life by Henry Van Dyke
    ----------------------

    Let me but live my life from year to year,
    With forward face and unreluctant soul;
    Not hurrying to, nor turning from the goal;
    Not mourning for the things that disappear
    In the dim past, nor holding back in fear
    From what the future veils; but with a whole
    And happy heart, that pays its toll
    To Youth and Age, and travels on with cheer.

    So let the way wind up the hill or down,
    O'er rough or smooth, the journey will be joy:
    Still seeking what I sought when but a boy,
    New friendship, high adventure, and a crown,
    My heart will keep the courage of the quest,
    And hope the road's last turn will be the best.

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    1. Hi Martha, I know it sounds a bit melodramatic, but it's the truth, lol!!

      LOVE this poem. Good advice and perspective contained within.

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  5. I feel bad for people who are still getting through winter! Our trees having been blooming, and some are already done. Congrats on the melting though and opening up the ol' shed! Spring is finally here for you

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    1. We still have a bit yet to melt, but the opening of the shed is always my truest indicator it's spring :)

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  6. Love the ice photo.
    I can't believe your poppies and peony are already appearing. I'll need to take a close look at ours. So far we've only spotted the tulips.

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    1. I bet you'll find some signs of life if you look - my vines (hops) are also in bed. Guess what I'm doing right now? Roasting more cauliflower, lol!! I'm seriously addicted :)

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  7. Well, it was worth the wait! (Double meaning there.) Love the camera shy cat. Looking forward to more photos of your garden as the season progresses. My favourite spring poem is about a crocus and I went looking for it last week and couldn't find it. I'll keep trying. And by the way, I didn't know that you can't 'unpost' something.

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    1. Thanks and believe it or not, but I didn't stage that shot! I'm looking forward to using my camera a lot more. Please share your poem if you manage to find it :)

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  8. Love your garden decor... looks like they can hardly wait to go back into the yard. The shy kitty sculpture behind the broom is my favorite!

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    1. Like most gardeners, I have whole menagerie of critters who have to siit out the long winter, lol!!

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  9. There is life in your garden already, the green leaves and red budding peony prove it. Ah, spring is so wonderful and full of promise of what good things there is to come soon.

    I bet when you swung the garden shed door open you did a little happy dance.

    Your beautiful poem made me tear up. We have an older orange marmalade kitty called Leo. He will be 18 this summer, but I see him starting to fail and its sad to see it.

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    1. I spent a couple more hours spring cleaning today and ended up with 6 garden bags full - and I'm not done yet :) It feels wonderful to spend time outside again :)

      That poem is one of my favourites. It's hard when you have a pet you see beginning to fail - hopefully you'll enjoy another summer with Leo :)

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  10. Love all your garden and shed friends! I raked up the backyard the last Thursday of March--it's snowed twice since! LOL! And the apple trees are still shedding leaves, but I think I will use the lawn mower to get those. In addition to my chives and tulips, I have a delphinium bud or 2 coming up. No peonies--they are just getting rid of their latest snow covering. Happy Spring!!

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    1. Hi Dianne, I was out there again today - not done yet, some of my yard is still frozen! I noticed some life in my delphiniums. With the very dry fall we had, I was kind of worried what would happen over the winter. Happy Spring as well :)

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  11. Lately I've been blog reading later at night...when my eyes tell me to get to bed... I did get through this one though and I can smell summer! But now I think of all the work that goes into it. And the heat and the bugs.....
    And I can't wait:)

    I'll have to come back later with a poem...

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    1. Vicki, I do that to myself far too often as well. It's a lot of work for sure - but definitely a pleasure :)

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  12. Amazing how different your life style is compared to mine probably due to the snow/cold winters you have :)
    If it gets 10degC here in the day in our winter it's classed as being extremely cold.
    Most men have a shed where I live, women have the house :)
    I can't imagine if I did have a shed why I couldn't go to it in winter and sit there or whatever.

    As for poems - some I do like plus once in awhile I write poetry.

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    1. Haha, 10C means it's spring here! We suffer through winter and get pretty excited when the nice weather finally gets here. It never gets old - the annual re-birth is pretty loudly celebrated in Canada ;) Men have the garage here (if they aren't into gardening) - I'm kind of glad I don't have to share my little corner!

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  13. Hi Jane, you remind me so much of myself. I can't wait to get out into the garden in early Spring and see what's popping up. I have been working my tail off out there. Cleaning up Winter debris and spreading mulch. It's so rewarding afterwards. I don't have a shed at our new home yet. I had a play house that I stored alot of yard furniture and decor in over the Winter. I use to love to open that door for the first time in Spring. I'll be looking forward to seeing some of those gorgeous blooms.
    Hugs,
    Jann

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    1. Thanks Jann, I look forward to watching your yard come into full bloom. A playhouse sounds like a cute spot to hang out in as well!

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  14. I was never into poetry, but my favorite poem of all time would have to be "Rime of the Ancient Mariner" by Samuel Taylor Coleridge.

    Congrats on spring! lol

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    1. I checked it out and recognize that line: Water, water everyehre, nor any drop to drink - although I've always thought it was "but not a drop to drink" Yes, spring does seem to have finally arrived - but I still wouldn't be surprised if we had another surprise or two yet...!

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  15. Well, looks like "spring has sprung"...even by your, Jane. Your garden looks very promising, and the garden decors are waiting to be properly presented with all the glorious plants and flowers that will be blooming!
    Love all the photos, splendid...indeed!
    I used to dabble into poetry writing, but have stopped about 10 years ago...just lost all interest, although I do love poems that speak to my heart!
    Have a wonderful week, Jane:DDD

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    1. Thanks Elisabeth - it's raining today, so I hope things will now begin to green up. Things seem to have survived the trip, but time will tell. I spent 8 hours this past week (spread out, lol) spring cleaning and I'm not done yet, but it's a good start :)

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  16. Hi Jane, looks like your garden will be bursting with flowers before long!
    Always love your photos.
    Have a good week-end, from me and Ms. Wilma~~

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  17. Thanks Dorothy, I'm looking forward to it :) I hope you and Ms. Wilma have a great weekend as well.

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  18. I am planning on cleaning out my shed this weekend. I am really looking forward to it - how sick is that?

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  19. Great shots! Pictures of my shed wouldn't look this good! I'm always thrilled for the first signs of spring, and then one look around the yard and the shed and I remember that it brings with it SO much extra work!

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  20. Gorgeous post...love that first shot..the light and shadow is beautiful..gorgeous new life and blooms awakening..enjoy!yay for NPM..beautiful poem you shared! I love so many poets..they each carry their own magic!!
    have a beautiful week
    Victoria

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  21. Hey Jane, thank you for the shout out! (Sorry I'm here so late ... this post was around the time I had just had massive dental surgery.)

    Two of my favourite poems is Wild Geese by Mary Oliver and The Journey by Mary Oliver. Love them both. Definitely worthy of a read.

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