The Whispers of Spring

As we move into March of 2013, my journal takes note of quiet lil' whispers that suggest Spring is arriving. The first comes with an annual tradition in which Roland, Cody and I indulge. Each March we see the promo on television of the nearby Grange Co-ops announcing the arrival of tiny, fuzzy chicks. YEAH! it's a red flag for Spring!! This journal post records the feathery fluffs poking around in their over sized watering trough in which the Grange Co-op presents them. When you enter the large building you hear the buzz of lil' peeps despite the enormous room. Once we arrive at the trough, I discover there is a bigger variety than in previous years. Some even with tiny tail feathers and they all hop and tweet over their sisters and brothers. It captures your heart and each year I have to be talked out of bringing one home. Cody seems attracted to their movement but we limit his viewing so as not to freak out the wee birds.

Did I ever tell you that my dad used to bring me home little chicks for Easter when I was small? We'd keep him under our parakeet cage on the floor, in a Jim Beam box with a sheltered light bulb for warmth. I was terribly creative with the name, and we called him "Peep-peep". One grew 'til he had lil' feathers and we had to find a ranch/farm that would take him. Another year, I remember my dad coming around the corner of the couch when I had "Peep-peep" out for a living room tour, and dad stepped on him. That might have been the last year I was gifted with lil' chicks. So this annual event I'm sure is a throw back to my childhood ... and a sweet one.

Shortlly after Valentine's Day, my brilliant crocus announces the approach of Spring too. I noticed how very enthusiastic my plant was this year, expanding to over eight inches across! Of course, when my Journaling Clinic came around with the topic of "Spring Florals" I had the perfect subject. Here's the quick demo.

During this same period we were reading (Roland and I read together each morning - a cozy ritual) this book that so impacted me, entitled, "Say You're One of Them". This book presents numerous vignettes of children's lives in Nigeria and Kenya that will open your eyes and break your heart. Many night after we finished this book, I went to sleep wondering what happened to the children brought to life on the pages. My

aim is to add to this illustration of the book, adding more children's feet running off the page. Well, that's my intention ...

Spring Thaw - or - Spring Tease

I know it's only early February . . . but I've been noticing occurrences outside. Not only have we been having one of the most mild winters since I've been here (this is my 5th), but Spring flowers are coming up way early. The earliest I've seen my crocus up was February 14th ... this years new record is February 4th. And they were probably there before that, only I'd not been even looking for the until I was Downtown Jacksonville for a meeting and noticed several happy yellow heads bobbling in the sunshine! As soon as I got home I saw my sweet lil' buds all up, just awaiting to open.

It's taken me many days to get them in my journal but, here they are with my take on the blooms.

And once I was aware that things were poking their heads up in ready-ment for Spring I began looking everywhere. We have a herd of SnowDrops that have been ripening outside my studio window since mid-January and now they are in their full prime. These are adorable poisonous plants that were in existence when we moved here and each year they provide the very first hope of Spring to come. The surely make me smile each time I peer out my home studio windows.

So you see, "Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Clause" ~ and ~ Spring is really going to come. Not to rain on this cabin-fevered parade, but this could and probably is our usual, what we call February Tease, that starts us drooling, planting Summer flowers and wearing shorts (I'll admit, I even found myself sitting in the warm sun for awhile yesterday). Then, shortly after this, Winter returns, laughingly almost with her freezing temperatures and grey skies. But for now ... I'm smiling and wigglin' my toes in the cool, sun lite grass.

Springtime Catchup ~ Return Home from San Jose

This is a fun page that floods with memories. I had taken that trip in February down to the Bay Area, after visiting San Francisco, for planning with my Co-instructor of my "Women's Mexico Retreat".

I'd not seen my friend for quite awhile - since she'd been newly married. So staying with her was a treat, getting to meet and spend some time with her new honey. When I'd early arrived, I noticed dried flowers hanging from the kitchen cabinets. Upon inquiry, I learned the flowers were from the wedding bouquets. Since I was at the table with just my journal and didn't want to pull out the entire watercolor kit, I just used a Micron Pen with a brush tip. You can get a wide edge and some relatively delicate lines too and it's nice to have a variety on my journal pages (although you all know my favorite is watercolor!) Another item that, for me exemplified the new energy and joy in the household was this kicky gecko. I couldn't resist bringing it "home" with me on the corner of my page. He turned out rather zippy, with an attitude, don't you think?

The wacky and playful flag originated from a local restaurant. Several years ago we'd tried the charming, rustic eatery named, "The Black Bear Diner" and it'd been so long ago that we couldn't remember IF we liked the food. So, on a whim ... we dropped in for dinner. Let's just say, the fun lil flag was the best part of the dinner, although not edible :)

And one of the things I begin watching for in the early spring (it happened February 14th last year) is the emerging of our heartwarming golden yellow crocus. On the afternoon of February 24th, I caught sight out our front window, of a yellow head poking up out of the dirt. It's always a joyous moment - kind of reminds me that Winter is waining and Spring, just around the corner. The next day I got a photo of the bursting lil family of crocus - hurrah, Spring has begun!

This full page, spread out is one of my favorite - joyous and diverse. It reminds me of the deliciousness of life and our world. I'm hoping you take a moment here, now, to count your many blessings. Even the tiniest of gems is worth celebrating!

A New Redhead in Town

I'm just so excited about Spring approaching ... peering out my kitchen window this afternoon I finally captured "the new redhead" in town. She's (well, it's actually probably a 'he' since he has such bright colors) has been around for about a week now. Her bright red-orange head just stands out next to the other dark hooded finches we usually see during the Winter. With my trusty camera I caught her (him) before he flew, but also caught some other new smaller birds, new in town with lovely striations in dark and a yummy yellow too. Isn't Spring a joy to watch slowly overtake the chill and grey? I haven't pulled out my bird book to find out the proper name for these lil fellas - anyone want to take a stab, see if you can guess right?

That's all - just a silly, happy lil post I wanted to share with you all. Celebrate Spring!