Sunday afternoon, February 21. I gaze at the tangle of bare, winter time branches crisscrossing each other above my driveway. Maple tree and white mulberry limbs snarl together like two balls of yarn after a kitten’s playful antics. I hope the trees do not put out leaves too soon because I’m afraid this pseudo spring weather won’t last.
The hyacinth 
by the front door is encouraged by warm days and bravely opens to a pale, winter sun. By the mailbox, an optimistic Jonquil blooms. The birds, however, have not started building nests and I’m thinking they probably know more about winter and spring than do the flowers.
In case you are in the mood for spring reading, And Then It’s Spring by Julie Fogliano and Erin E. Stead is a children’s book with lovely illustrations.
For older readers, there’s Lord James Harrington and the Spring Mystery by Lynn Florkiewicz. And, if you like a stormy spring with a surprise or two, there’s The Cemetery Club in Kindle, paperback, and audio book format. You wouldn’t think a title like that would center around spring, would you? But, it does.
Sunday afternoons are quiet, just the sound of the wind and the occasional song of an early robin. It’s the sort of day when loneliness tries to edge in, all uninvited. Giving myself a mental shake, I remember many blessings, good times, the warmth of family and friends. Winter can’t last much longer. Soon the unseasonably warm days will be for real and the brave, flowery harbingers of spring will have the last word after all.
Monday morning, February 22. Happy George Washington’s birthday! An inspiring and insightful quote from the Father of our country. I now make it my earnest prayer, that God would have you, and the State over which you preside, in his holy protection . . . that he would most graciously be pleased to dispose us all, to do Justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that Charity, humility and pacific temper of mind, which were the Characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed Religion, and without an humble imitation of whose example in these things, we can never hope to be a happy Nation. — George Washington.
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A cozy mystery audio book that happens in the spring.
Another cozy mystery audio book that takes place in the fall.
A widow whose last living relative is murdered and finds herself in the sights of a deranged killer. (Christmas)
A secret buried for nearly a hundred years is unearthed. (winter)
The next Darcy and Flora cozy, Grave Heritage, to be released later this spring, is set in the month of July.
Thank you for that special quote of George Washington on this day!
Also for your flower pictures! I saw the Jonquil bud by your mailbox and hoped I’d see the bloom! : )
Does your white mulberry get fruit?
I think you’re right about the birds and flowers!
I applaud your “mental shaking” and counting your blessings! Something we all need to do that, good reminder! Thanks!
Thanks for writing, Fran. No, the white mulberry doesn’t get fruit and I’m kind of glad. They can be messy. Long ago, we had one and although it was a pretty tree, the birds loved it and we found reminders scattered here and there. Mulberry stain is hard to get out! Yes, I have to give myself mental shakings from time to time. I guess we all do. I have so many blessings that I should never get blue!
Yes, I know about regular Mulberry trees but I sure love them, anyway! : )
Was thinking about your “Mental shaking” .. that’s a good description of “taking every thought captive and casting down every imagination (2 Corinthians 10:5) and “Think on these things..” (Philippians 4:8). You’ve given a good visual and tied all together! Love it! Thanks!
That’s bound to come out in a future retreat! : )
Yes, I love the verses about taking every thought captive. That’s very important! I’m looking forward to the next retreat. Thanks for writing.
We have several months until spring; in fact, we’ve received more than 7 inches of snow just this afternoon! Your brave jonquil, and all jonquils, remind me so much of your sister, my mom! We had many, many jonquils in our yard in Blackwell, along with so many, many fond memories. How did Mom do it all . . . for, and with, us four kids? She made our childhood wonderful, even with the struggles I know of and the many I don’t. I miss my mom!
I miss her too, Teresa. My sister did everything with flair. She cooked, cleaned, planted, sewed, kept everything going along as it should, had a great sense of humor and loved beautiful things. I still have a pretty green suit she sewed for me and the Christmas tree skirt she made. You children, Ray, and her home were her life. There was no one like her.