What makes your soul bloom?

"If you've never been thrilled to the very edges of your soul by a flower in spring bloom, maybe your soul has never been in bloom."  ~Terri Guillemets~

For me.... this.

Safe Haven

Standing under the Flowering Pear tree this morning without giving you the sound and the fragrance too, does not show the completed picture of what nature was offering . First there was the sound of a thousand bees buzzing harmoniously while doing what they were made to do.., making love to the blossoms. Then the fragrance.., filling the garden with the sweet scent of honey. I suppose it was the pollen.., but it smelled like honey. What a heady combination it was.

Together with the morning sunlight I stood there looking up into the blossom filled tree and the world became a happier place than it had been all week.


The Grape Hyacinth is blooming and the flowering Quince, bought last year, has a few blossoms on it. My first tulip has opened up. It's a green one with pink tips. Very unusual and , although I planted red ones too, I bought these because I thought they would be beautifully different. They are. I love this one.

Carl was watching the goats.., wishing he could herd them around a bit. He would bark and they would just look at him and then go right on eating the wonderful new grass. Freckles always thinks that the grass on the other side of the fence is greener. Brownie never even looked up...


When I drove home from "C"s Wednesday night I was being chased by a huge storm. I left Sacramento just as this storm started moving across the Central Valley. When I got ahead of it out on Florin Rd. I pulled over and took this picture of some beautiful horses against the stormy sky to the west. The green grass, the dark sky, the mustard flowers( a bright yellow streak in the distance) and the curious horses wondering what I was doing was a perfect photo shoot.

I beat the storm home and just as I pulled into the garage, the wind came and the hail started.

What does home mean to you? For me it's a safe haven from the storms of my life. It's being greeted by The Prospector and the Pupster. As always.., it was so good to be home and as we quieted down to listen to the intensity of the rain falling outside ,we sat on the sofa with Carl between us, and cried for our old dog that had to leave us. Now she is buried at the top of the hill above the orchard but her spirit will always be curled up on the floor next to us in our living room.

Finding All is Well

My friend "C" is home. She went to a hospital in Sacramento, a week ago, and had a knee replacement. I drove down to see her yesterday. It was so good to see that she is recovering well .., and to just give her a hug. She is doing really great. It's amazing what they can do these days. I had relatives back in the day who didn't have this choice and lived with damaged knees and hips. They were in pain until they left this world. I'm so glad we live in a time when they can replace parts of us that are injured and worn. I remember the Bionic Woman on television years and years ago. It was, then, kind of "science fiction" and everyone watched it with amazement. Now we have become a bionic society and the science fiction is a reality. It's wonderful. "C" will not be in pain for the rest of her life and this operation is going to give her a strong knee that will keep her ticking for a long time to come.

She didn't want any photos. Can't imagine why..., so I took one of her cat, Max, the guard cat. He was outside when I got there but finally he arrived and graced us with his presence. He's a very handsome cat..., and I think he knows it.
"C"s daughter is here for a while to take care of her Mom. I'm so glad that she could do this. She's not only glad to be here for her mother.., but "Darn", she's missing all the horrible weather back in Cleveland, Ohio. The warm sunshine yesterday was a nice change for her. Our California winters can't be beat.

On my way home I stopped at TraderJoe's and bought some bread and a few other things. This bread was so beautiful that I had to take a picture of it. Look at the shape. It's just a culinary work of art. We don't have a Trader Joe's up where we live so I always stop and pick up some things, in Elk Grove, on my way home.

Today we are having one of those gorgeous, early Spring days. It's so beautiful, and warm, that it nearly takes your breath away. The daffodils are blooming and my perennials are starting to bloom too. It's as if the SUN is growing inside of everything.
...,excuse me while I go outside again and just walk around the yard. There is a small dog out there who needs some attention and wants to play. How can I say "No"....

Oh!..., Happy Birthday Red Dirt Woman. I hope you're having a wonderful day.