spring

Signs of Spring. There’s a Dachshund in Here Somewhere Too.

Posted by Barbara Techel

Signs of Spring. There's a Dachshund in Here Somewhere Too.

This past Wednesday, the first official day of Spring, I was brought to tears when I pulled the goddess Gaia from the Power Goddess Oracle deck. I couldn’t take my eyes off her. A swirl of emotions spiraled through me.

This card couldn’t have been more perfect. Not only for the changing of the season and one of re-birth but also the self I’ve given birth to over the past year. I saw myself in Gaia and I liked what I saw.

A year ago this time was quite different as I was moving through such an intensely emotional time. As I continue editing my latest book, I’m Fine Just the Way I Am, I’m able to witness through the words I’ve written and of how far I’ve come. 

This spring feels and looks quite different to me. The light is absolutely freeing and brilliant. The smells and sounds, from birds singing, to the church bells ringing, and children playing in the park have me feeling enthusiastically alive. And so very grateful that I am.

The second card I pulled Wednesday morning from a deck called Moonology fit beautifully with Gaia. As I saw it as a reflection of when we do the hard work of working through what isn’t always easy, it truly is a re-birth that occurs, as we can’t help but be changed.

And in being honest, I had a brief sad moment, of which I’ve had before, especially the older I get, that I’ll never experience giving birth to a child. But I allow it to surface and acknowledge it. And then I remember all the different ways I have given birth. This was my journey to walk. I have no regrets.

And it’s in the simple pleasures of gathering up the bedding this morning and once through the washing machine to hang it all on the line, I find grounding and a peaceful space within. I never tire of this. It feels like a ritual from long ago and echoes of others who enjoyed this too, though I can’t quite hear, but yet I feel them near.

It also may only be in the mid-40s as I write this to you, but I just couldn’t help but put a pair of flip-flops on. I’m most happy in either boots or flip-flops – nothing in-between. As silly as it may sound, there would have been a day I’d not felt comfortable in sharing a photo of my feet without my toenails painted. It feels so freeing to let go of some of the inhibitions that can make life more complicated than it needs to be.

The sun streams through the bedroom windows at new angles with the changing of the light and the season. And one not to miss out is Miss Gidget. And add to her sweet spot soaking up the sun is burrowing her way into the sheets that lay on the floor before they found their way to the laundry room.

And this…this provided me another simple pleasure that made my heart happy. And as promised in the title of this blog post, I did say there was a dachshund in here somewhere. Anywhere there is sun and blankets or sheets in this case, is the perfect place for a wiener dog to nestle.

Signs of spring abound. And it’s understanding the darkness as a gift that makes the light all the more profound and beautiful.

XO,

Barbara

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Beauty in Transition

Posted by Barbara Techel

As I drove through my small town of Elkhart Lake , this building, which is unique to begin with, especially caught my eye today.

Look at all those icicles blending in with what looks like grapevine on the wall! I wrote yesterday on my blog about looking for the beauty from the spring snowstorm, instead of grumbling about it as I’d been doing, until I snapped myself out of it.

The more we look for beauty around us, even when we think spring should be here by now, it’s confirmation that when we open ourselves to what is and pay attention…we are gifted with a magical moment such as this one – and again reminded that there are blessings in transition.

SPRING

by Camille Gotera

When the cold, harsh winter has given its last breath,
When the sky above shows life instead of death,
When the claws reaching to the frozen sky become decorated with leaves,
When the animals -long in hiding- scurry from trees,
We know winter has ended.

When the frost on grass is replaced with sweet dew,
When the fields become dotted with flowers, reminding me of you,
When the lonely silence becomes filled with melodies, 
When you feel warm air, erasing bad memories
We know winter has ended.

When the hard, bare ground becomes painted with green, 
When the frost-bitten air becomes fresh and clean,
When the coats and boots are all stored away,
When the playgrounds become occupied again with child’s play,
We know winter has ended.

When you hear the pleasant sound of children’s laughter,
When the air is filled with joy- long sought after,
When the world is filled with sunlight, brighter and longer,
When the song of Mother Nature becomes stronger,
Spring has begun.

XO,

Barbara

Spring Garden Walk has Me Thinking of Tasha Tudor

Posted by Barbara Techel
Spring Garden Walk has Me Thinking of Tasha Tudor
My dwarf lilac tree full of buds!

“It’s exciting to see things coming up again, plants that you’ve had twenty or thirty years. It’s like seeing an old friend.”
― Tasha Tudor, The Private World of Tasha Tudor

It is has been close to 60 degrees this weekend, though the wind has just shifted putting a bit of a chill in the air again. But ah, yes, that is spring – such a tease it can be!

Today I walked in my landscaped gardens which will be one year old next month. And I couldn’t help but think of Tasha Tudor. I discovered her about five years ago and became utterly fascinated with her way of life. She was a children’s book illustrator, lover of nature, tea, flowers, corgis, goats, birds, and living to the beat of her own drum. She lived a simple life and what some would say was a hard life for there was always something to be done around her property. But that is what made her thrive.

As I walked my gardens I felt the spirit of Tasha. I know I’ll have to get my books out again that I have about her. Even though I’ve read them oodles of times already, I’m feeling called to get lost in her world that I find to this day to be be magical.

Being outside and appreciating all that nature gives us is when I feel the spirit of her swirling in the wind. I could ride high on that feeling forever.

Mr. Finch right outside my writing cottage window

To see the buds blossoming on trees and shrubs just fills me fresh up with such hope – and reminds me of what is truly important. These simple, sweet moments of beauty.

My Cherry Blossom Willow tree should blossom soon
Mr. Squirrel drinking from the bird bath

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