Spring arrived with the weather in a tug of war. Winter reluctant to give in and spring eager to take over. God knows I am more than ready for Spring. Yet as the crocus and daffodils push through the soil and trees begin to bud winter still tries to bully. Drops in temperatures and flurries crashing into the rain against the gray backdrop of the sky. It's like a dance of the elements own choreography. On a recent day when the sun broke through and temperatures rose I went out worked in my herb and vegetable garden. I cleaned up winters refuse, admired the tender shoots pushing through and hoed the soil preparing for new beds of vegetables and flowers. I spent time in my mini orchard that struggles since the cable company laid an underground cable just a few feet from their roots. I burned dried stalks and fallen twigs while giving thanks for the gift of stewardship of this small corner plot of land in the city . I've trolled gardening websites, pulled out and perused gardening books, laid out new ideas in my garden journal. I've purchased seeds and earmarked plants. I cajole my potted ferns and fruit trees to hang in there a little bit longer with promises that they will soon nestle in their preferred outdoor nooks.
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Spring equinox, full moon, thawing ground, budding trees, nesting birds, spritzing rain. It's not a sunny day but it beckons none the less. I've walked barefoot in the grass and across the muddy paths as I greeted the tender green shoots pushing through the soil in all my gardens and random spots of the lawn. I thought to have a fire outdoors tonight to honor the full moon and greet spring but rain and potential storms seem against it. So I burned sage and sweetgrass on the front porch. I carried a bundle of smoldering sage as I walked the perimeter of our land picking up stray limbs and twigs blown from the trees by the heavy winds that roared through last week. Winds of change! I am happy to say good-bye to winter and step into the spring season. Eager to be in the gardens plunging my hands into the soil looking for the established and planting seeds for new. Ideas crowd my mind for this new year of gardening. I'm eager for the dandelions and bees. I'll know spring has settled in and life is unfolding when those two precious things appear.
With no plans to celebrate St. Paddy's Day out and about, I don't think we ever have despite the wee bit/or maybe a lot of Irish in me, I decided to try my hand at making Irish Soda Bread and Brisket. After sliding the bread into the oven I noticed the snow that had accumulated on the ground looked perfect for creating a snowman. So that's what I did while the bread baked. When I took the bread from the oven I drank my very first Irish Beer! I did a taste test of the bread while the brisket bakes and am not disappointed.
I'm pretty sure I won't be disappointed with my first brisket either. I've decided that next year if I am not in Ireland I will be out enjoying the crowds and festivities wherever I am locally. My peeps are welcome to join me but if they don't that is fine too. This is the year I start setting my own rules. Begin doing life more aligned with my own compass. As I write this the snow has melted and snowman toppled. Glad I seized the moment. |
AuthorHello, I'm Kim Hitzges. I am a writer, photographer, and mixed media artist who is following the magic that guides my life. Archives
June 2021
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