The rain has ceased, and the green plants look aglow in the dim light. In the midst of springtime, a mystery is drifting down, settling around us, like mist. It is whispering the “magic deeper still” Aslan spoke of in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe . . . the magic that began before […]
Category Archives: Gardening
Reading the whimsical picture book, When Ruby Tried to Grow Candy by Valorie Fisher, to my younger son recently, I found a delightful depiction of my philosophy of gardening: Plant what you love! Just a few weeks ago, my garden was sleeping. My friend, who lives in a high rise, asked to see it, but […]
Let me relate this spring to you as an imaginary ballet. It begins in the past. A mother holds her blond toddler’s hand as they skip through crowds of adults who stop to pat his head, smile, blow kisses. In an instant, the child grows into a tween. Most of the grown-ups grow indifferent. A […]
He is risen! He is risen indeed! Every bud whispers the truth. No wonder I feel so much joy among the trees and flowers! May you feel Christ’s presence in your garden, in your church, in your home, or wherever you may be this Easter weekend. Love, Carol
Has the change in the air given you energy? Are dreams reawakening in your heart? Do you feel a glimmer of holiday anticipation? Then, you have tasted the sweetness of September! The following is a list of “blooms,” some tended, some unexpected, in my actual garden and in the garden of my life during this […]
August has been a blur of blessings: beach, back to school, boy’s birthday, and blooms! As I was rushing to prepare for the first three blessings in the list, the blossoms caused me to slow long enough to drink in a scent, to admire a swirl of petals, or just to splash their leaves with […]
A haiku is a short poem about nature. At its best, it lets the reader experience a scene—causes her to feel the emotions of being there! I think you’ll find, like I have, that the structure (five syllables in the first line, seven syllables in the second line, and five syllables in the third) creates […]
I looked out the window one morning to see a soccer ball, like a black and white gazing ball, on the ground beside the garden shed. Maybe because I’d recently been thinking about Basho’s influence on me, the scene inspired this haiku: A still soccer ball Hiding beneath iris leaves— How I love my boys! […]
July has been gentle this year. We’ve had miraculously cool breezes and refreshing summer rainstorms. There has been no string of days over 100° F. Friends and family have had the energy to visit, and the flowers have had enough pep to welcome them with petaled smiles. Here is a list of “blooms” in my […]
June has brought warm breezes and refreshing rains. Ah, sweet summertime— a deep breath, a peaceful dream, unhurried gatherings with family and friends . . . the stuff children’s books are made of! The pace of life slowed for me to savor the following “blooms” in my garden and in my life this month: Summer […]
A Children's Book World 