Monday Moments - Random spring and Easter pics

Levi (5 months) was wide awake early. By the time the Easter egg hunt began, he was snoring. 

Silly basket head girls

Kevin's crew

Silly Ray - a wascally wabbit. 
 

Finally Friday - Fling your Hat in the Air

That time of year again - Spring Fling at the Dallas Arboretum

Field of Tulips to tiptoe through (well, around)

Gotta tell ya - after February Icemageddon, I feared for the arboretum.  And yes, even the professionals, could not ward off Mother Nature.  In many corners of the grounds, brown frozen leaves looked like death. You can tell, the workers are slowly removing the official dead shrubs. That's quite sad - especially one particular area that used to have some huge cactus - now gone. 

But - plenty of bulbs decided to bloom, and the dogwoods exploded.

Like all of us after 2020 and now into 2021, nature is poking its head out, peering around to see if it's safe, and then emerging in full bloom. 

Hope you can get out and enjoy a colorful (safe) weekend!
 

Book Review - Spring by Karl Ove Knausgaard

and now Spring by Karl Ove Knausgaard. I've given reviews on Autumn and Winter by this Norwegian author. His work is unique - gripping and brilliantly rendered. Sensitive, pensive, and honest style. Spring is the account of a shocking and heartbreaking familial trauma and the emotional epicenter of this singular literary series.  (cover blurb)

This author's project is addressed to his newborn daughter, and he has to discuss appointments with child services. He must keep his daughter safe, and he shares a very emotional day involving psychological suspense and family issues. This man holds back nothing. We are privy to some very deep writing - it's beautiful, it's incredible, and thought provoking.

p. 177 The great and terrifying beauty does not abandon us, it is there all the time, in everything that is always the same, in the sun and the stars, in the bonfire and the darkness, in the blue carpet of flowers beneath the tree. It is of no use to us, it is too big for us, but we can look at it, and we can bow before it. 

Spring is not to be taken for granted. Beyond the pretty flowers, there is so much more to grasp. I enjoy Mr. Knausgaard for his truly deep thoughts. Very poetic prose.  This book and series are ones to read and re-read for different nuances. 

Easter Weekend and Peace

To me, Easter is a time of reflection, peace, and a welcoming of spring

Relax and enjoy your weekend - time outdoors, time with family, and yes - time with that chocolate Easter bunny.  Chomp those ears!

World Poetry Day a Day Late

 Thursday was World Poetry today.  But what the heck, I'll make it Friday. Just a day late. Maybe I was too busy writing some poems

or gazing at the sky

or watching the return of 

the ducks

returned to hang poolside

as they flew overhead did they notice

weeds in our yard, leaves in the pool

wish we'd clean up more?

non-judgmental, they glide under

diving board overhang, content quacks

settle in sun, afternoon snooze

raise flag for cabana service

to no avail, one last dip

before takeoff, emerald head

glints in cloudless sky

by Joanne Faries

Happy Friday and Weekend and Poetry 

Frivolous Flower Friday

 Me, Evelyn, and Linda - our spring trek to the Dallas Arboretum last Sunday. Glorious day amidst a bounty of color

 They plant 500,000 tulips for their spring festival

The grounds are spectacular. This is truly one of my favorite places in the whole North Texas area.

Spring has sprung.  Happy Easter Weekend!

Monday Moment

 Quick Monday moment.
But first, back up to Friday - glorious day. Worked hard and we all got early dismissal - "just because it's too pretty out there".  I came home and our new diving board had been installed. The pool project is complete. New stone coping, new plaster, new board. Now we need some warmer weather. It was darn pretty out, but I'm not a polar bear swimmer.  Instead I raked gobs of leaves - our live oak is shedding its winter coat and green is popping out all over.

Saturday  - leaf project was done. Now on to my painting project in my pretty room (i.e. reading, no TV). New furniture arrived. I had put primer on my accent wall.  Now what color....our house leans toward muted colors. Time for a Wow! moment.  I went with "Exotic Sea". Sure pops, doesn't it?

So, guess I'm good for another twenty years (rather lazy, not big on tons of changes here)

Clear blue water under the diving board, blue exotic sea on the wall........I"m not feeling blue. I'm spring energized.  Happy start to the week.

Wordless Wednesday

 Just spent a week in PA hanging with my Dad.  Oh,spring was in glorious form. I hit a peak week for the flowering trees.  Breathtaking.  Leaves one wordless on a Wednesday.  Have a good rest of the week.

Wordless Wednesday (Almost)

 Spring Fling time at the Dallas Arboretum.  Actually it starts next week, but no one told the flowers - they are in bloom NOW!

 special sculptures placed around the grounds. I hung out a bit with William Shakespeare

Linda T. and I had a chuckle with Mark Twain

You folks will get tired of all my flowers pics - I have a ton waiting to blossom as "filler".  Enjoy!

Ode to Spring

 You can't go wrong with a Sunday morning stroll at the Dallas Arboretum. What a splendid day.

Nature is talking.  Stop to listen.

Spring Fling Saturday and Sunday

 I have not been out to the Dallas Arboretum this year. But their annual spring frolic has begun and even with the snow a week or so ago, tulips are blooming. Let's start our spring fling with these pics from my archives - 2009

I know we are all so ready for that pop of color, the freshness and purity of spring.

Happy Weekend, everyone!

OK - What Did You Miss in April?

It is May, but since I did A to Z Challenge (FUN!) you missed some good April stuff. I went to one of the best places on earth on Good Friday - the Dallas Arboretum. Check out the gloriousness

 Yes, Peacock in flowers.

 New water feature

I love this place.  And what the heck - do you still have a few jelly beans that fell into the couch? Or half of a chocolate bunny left because you ate the ears? Well - it's late but here is my Easter poem for 2014

Easter candy 

signals spring

fluorescent jelly beans

tangy mango surprise

familiar Hershey kisses

wrapped in pastel foils

melt memories of Christmas reds and greens

malted robin egg renewal

herald chirps outside

harsh winter grays fade to

blue sky dappled with marshmallow clouds 

we arise

Tulips and More - 2013

 Annual Spring Fling at the Dallas Arboretum and 2013 is in fine form. I know I post tulip pictures yearly, but truly - they are spectacular. So, I shall shut up and let you enjoy the view.

Nature .......... makes nothing in vain - Aristotle