Breathing Space

The Lupine Lady was here

 

I discovered these lovely Lupines  on the dunes at Grande Mere Park this week. I always seem to find something new each time I go. These Lupines instantly reminded me of a children's book that I read to my children when they were young called Miss Rumphius, written and illustrated by Barbara Cooney. It won a National Book award for children’s books in 1983 and in my mind carries a life message that will always be relevant.

 "You must do something to make your world more beautiful", said Miss Rumphius. This was something that her grandfather said to her when she was a little girl and she took it to heart and hill and began to scatter lupine seeds in her town by the sea for all to enjoy, leaving a legacy of beauty.

 Mother's bring beauty to the world in many different ways, by planting flowers, by planting seeds of love and wonder in the hearts and minds of their children and by taking care of the earth that they will leave to their children.  If we all keep the words of Miss Rumphius in mind, the world will be a better and more beautiful place.

 In honor of Mother's Day, I wish you all a day filled with beauty.

 

Look at the shape of the moss Leslie found while hiking!

Moss covered musings

I have been noticing the beautiful hues of green moss in the woods this spring. Did you know that moss grows without roots? It has tiny filaments that allow it to take in nutrients but no true root system. I have recently read The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh for my new book club and Victoria the main character is much like moss because she is forced to grow without roots and somehow rebuild her life. I brought a plate of moss from my hike this morning and some coconut macaroons to our book discussion today. Don’t worry we did not eat the moss.

When big changes occur in our lives we are often fearful. We cling to the familiar and we dig our heels into the ground. Of course change is not always within our control and we must learn to be like the moss and spread beauty wherever we grow.

In the Victorian language of flowers, moss signifies maternal love.  Maybe the roots are within us and we can learn to grow wherever we are when we are watered. Even moss needs water. At a recent dinner with my old friends when I was lamenting my move, one of my dear friends reminded me of a favorite quote that I had displayed in my kitchen, “ Do one thing everyday that scares you” by Eleanor Roosevelt. I told her that was meant for other people. After a good laugh, I realized I should take my own motherly advice. The reality is that most of our growth occurs when we are uprooted and those that must live with a limited root system often learn to grow despite their circumstances.

 

Openhearted

Did you know there are at least 154 words that have the word heart in them. Heartwood  may be a more obvious caption for this photo but I decided upon openhearted  as the perfect description of this discovery on my walk in the woods today in Glen Arbor (yeah!).

When we are open to the beauty of nature it can reenergize and inspire us. There are the awe-inspiring views like the sunset over the big lake and the drama of the dunes, but there are also the subtle signs of beauty that require a more observant eye and they bring the joy of discovery and make you feel that you were fortunate to find them. This is often like real life, don't you agree?

Trillium Time

Is it trillium time already? I know it was April Fool's Day yesterday but I spotted a few flowers sprouting at Grand Mere Park yesterday. The blooming Trillium is a true harbinger of spring. Unless the weather changes dramatically, these white beauties will soon been covering the forest floor.

I speak for the trees

The Lorax is the one that speaks for the trees, but the trees speak to me.  Spring has sprung early this year and many of the flowering trees are in full bloom and they are amazingly beautiful. After the starkness of winter, the budding and blooming trees are such a welcome sight. I think the red bud tree is one of the most spectacular flowering trees. I planted one in my new yard to some day take the place of the one that I had planted when my children were younger and was now full-grown in my old yard. I miss that tree.

"I am the Lorax, I speak for the trees. 
I speak for the trees, for the trees have no tongues.”

I recently saw The Lorax movie with Emma and the conservation theme was one that really made me think about how each one of us needs to take part in helping to save the earth. I remember so vividly reading this Dr Seuss classic to my children and unfortunately we have not cared enough.  Earth Day is coming next month so please take the time to plant a tree, help clean a park or truly commit to a recycling program.  A small change can make a big difference. Plant a seed and watch it grow.

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, 
nothing is going to get better. It's not.”

 

First Flowers

Just a couple of hours later!

Spring is in the Air

Did you spring forward out of bed this morning? I don't mind losing an hour of sleep if I  can awaken to a beautiful sunny day like today. I guess Monday morning will be the real transition day.

I can hear the birds chirping, the crocuses have broken ground and the earth is beginning to come alive again. 

Spring is a new beginning. Sometimes under the brown leaves you can find a brand new life springing forth.

Last Snow

We drove home last night from East Lansing after an unmentionable basketball game. The driver was not too happy after this last game of the regular season and we certainly didn’t expect to be driving right into a snowstorm. We saw a semi-truck accident with a car that looked like it had slipped underneath the truck, but it seemed as though the drivers were ok.  It was most definitely a white-knuckle ride and I was just thankful not to be the driver but it was not a stress free passenger ride either. I am even more fearful when my kids are in the car with us in this type of weather.

I recently wrote about enjoying the first snow in February, but in my mind we have crossed over into the “think spring” mode. The snow still is pretty on the trees, but not really so welcome. There were devastating tornadoes in Indiana yesterday too, so March is truly coming in like a lion.

I am hopeful that this will be our last snow of the season. My bulbs were starting to break through the ground and I noticed some buds on the trees. Tess and Frodo (neighbor puppy) are out frolicking in the snow, so I guess they don’t mind.

Now the sun is shining which means the snow will melt and spring will be coming soon. I am dreaming about crocuses, daffodils, pussy willows and four leaf clovers too.

 

 

 

 

 

It's all downhill from here

*Bay View Trail

This is a common saying that can have both a positive and negative meaning.  I was cross country skiing the Alligator Hill trail with friends this weekend in Glen Arbor and we met some fellow skiers at the look out. As they were leaving to get back on the trail, one of them said, "It is all downhill from here," which on skis  is usually a good thing.  If you are going downhill in your health or in life, it is not typically positive. From a high point in life, going downhill is not usually the choice you would make but going uphill is not always good either.

Skiing downhill is fun and exhilarating, as long as you don't fall, but of course you can always get up and start over again if you do. If you never fall it may mean you are not learning anything new and you won't have the chance to start over again either. You can always just coast along, but that often gets boring. Going downhill "fast" can be good or bad and sometimes it may be bad but may end up good.  

*View from a high point on the Bay View trail in Glen Arbor. It is all downhill from there.