Lord Huron - La Belle Fleur Sauvage

I know I am late to the game,
but I recently read Gilead,
and then Home
by Marilynne Robinson,
and I have a copy of Lila
all set to read next.
I enjoyed the first two books
(and particularly Home)
in a way I have not enjoyed a novel
in quite a while.

I read for so many reasons--
for relaxation,
for education,
for escape,
and sometimes simply
to fill up a bit of time,
on a long commute
or while waiting for a friend.

It is such a joy
when I come across a book
that is so beautifully written
that I savor the experience of reading it,
not just for the effect it has on me,
or it's place in my life,
but for exactly what it is:
a spare, elegant and well-crafted piece of art.

Cups of light.

I haven't ever shared iPhone photos here,
but I've been casually documenting
this apple tree
on my afternoon walks
ever since we moved
to our new neighborhood.

It has become my touchstone
for the changing seasons,
and this week I added
a Springtime photo
to the series.

A Springtime version
of this post.

Scenes from my Springtime garden.

A new self-portrait,
the first I've taken in well over a year.

It feels fitting
to be reflected in the window
overlooking the backyard garden
that I have spent so much time in
and have so come to love.

This is me, now.

Some sweet reads
for Springtime-lovers
of all ages
(old favorites that I re-read each year,
as well as a few new ones
that I've lately been enjoying):

The Secret Garden (with illustrations by Inga Moore)
The Complete Tales of Beatrix Potter
Beatrix Potter's Gardening Life
Outside Your Window
A Year in Brambly Hedge

I hope you had a wonderful Easter!

Spring has truly sprung here.

When I am walking
though a landscape
as powerful as this one,
I do not get tired.

We hiked for miles,
beside the river
and up into the hills;
as the ground rose
and the sunlight filtered down
I only felt
like I could go farther,
that each step
brought me energy
and renewal.

I won't soon forget
this view from our window,
even as some Springtime rains
came through recently
and turned these fleeting blossoms
to pink snow
on the ground.

Spring trees!

The coolest blue,
and the brightest green-gold--
we took a weekend trip away
to the place where we were married,
back to visit
for the first time
since our wedding.

Folkloric,
in many ways,
has simply become,
my own little journal of the seasons--
and I am alright with that.

These are photos from my yard and garden,
and when I look at them
I feel honored to have this bit of earth to tend.