Nothing profound,
nothing new,
in what I have to say.
Just reminders of what we
already know, but sometimes forget.
The winter of 2013-2014
has been harsh
all across the United States.
And, for many, winter still roars
with deep freezes, gray skies, gloomy darkness
filled with chilling winds, ice, and snow.
Even in usually mild locations
such as Houston, there is still
the possibility of winter's bitterness.
All my memories of Houston are filled
with muggy days even in winter from the very first time
I visited my in-laws as a new bride in 1972.
The city was so warm in December around
Christmas time that my new family had
their air conditioner turned on.
I was surprised.
It was strange to walk around outside in shirtsleeves
and to carry a sweater, not a coat, and not to wear the sweater.
and to carry a sweater, not a coat, and not to wear the sweater.
Just carry it, in case the temperature dipped a little.
Not so this winter.
Even Houston experienced wintry mixes of ice, sleet, and snow.
But,
But,
| O Wind, | |
| If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind? |
by Percy Bysshe Shelley
Just last week,
north Texas had record low temperatures in the teens,
but the peach trees survived and bloomed this week!
Perhaps there will be peaches after all.
See that clear blue sky through the OPEN windows?
The temperatures were in the 80s today.
No, thankfully, these temperatures will not last,
or else our summer would truly S.I.Z.Z.L.E.
Then, looking out the sunspace window through
the peach tree branches on the breakfast table I saw...
I remember planting this tree many years ago
and watching for its blooms every spring.
Many years the blooms were sparse,
even when other trees around us were filled with blooms.
When did it get to be so tall?
Last week the hard freeze caused the first
pear tree blossoms on the tree's lower branches
to shrivel and to turn brown.
I thought that the blooms were done for this year,
one of those years with not only sparse blooms,
but dead ones.
but, no....
In the clear sunlight, the blooms were fully open and shimmering in the light.
So many days have been overcast, gray, dreary days that
I missed the new blooms opening until today.
So many days have been overcast, gray, dreary days that
I missed the new blooms opening until today.
Spring is coming.
What at first appeared to be dead blooms, are instead,
alive!
How do I express those feelings inside?
The ones that have been reawakened and been reminded
on many levels
there is life after the darkness.
That after seasonal climatic winters and emotional personal winters,
spring will return.
| O Wind, | |
| If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind? |
"Ode to the West Wind"
by Percy Bysshe Shelley
by Percy Bysshe Shelley
❦
~~~~~~~~~~
Do you have a dream house in your head?
I did, for eight years.
Now I have been living in my dream house
for twenty-six years.
Stay tuned.
Coming soon...
A series of posts
about building my dream house,
a post and beam house.
~~~~~~~~~~
Please join me at these inspiring sites...
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
~~~~~~~~~~
Seems unheard of for Texas to be so cold and have snow. I'm glad your pear tree will still bear fruit, and it looks lovely all in bloom.
ReplyDeleteI don't recall a year when I heard winter wished away so many times. It has certainly been a tough season for most of our country. Your post is eloquent. I love the little "bob" hanging from your pear tree. Perhaps it was also that loving touch that revived it's blooms!
ReplyDeleteAlthough I never achieved my dream house, I have resolved that this little place was loaded with dreams and dreams that came true. I am looking forward to your series. I can't wait to read and view the story of how your dream home came to be.
withLove.
It's been such a bitter winter for so much of the country but it's nice to see the signs of Spring. I love the house I live in but dream of a small beach cottage....some day! Sweet hugs!
ReplyDeleteStrange, strange weather - we feel like it is already summer on our part of the coast - and we had no winter at all.
ReplyDeleteYour photos are lovely.
Oh, those pear trees seem to be the first to remind us Spring is on the way. We had several in Alabama and I absolutely loved those trees! Hope Spring comes soon for you! We are in the 80's and it's a bit early for me to have weather that warm!
ReplyDeleteJudith, yes we've had a cold winter. My iris were in bloom when the last freeze hit. Made me so sad to see them fall to the ground. Today I noticed that the day lilies look beaten, when just last week they were thriving. I hope the chance of another freeze is behind us. ;-)
ReplyDeleteYour pear tree blooms are glorious! They are blooming all around town here too. A beautiful sight indeed.
After this polar vortex winter I am so ready for spring! Things cannot start blooming soon enough for this girl. Your pear tree is beautiful! Thanks for sharing at Fridays Unfolded!
ReplyDeleteAlison
Nancherrow
Beautiful pictures! I'm so ready for Spring and looking forward to seeing how you build your dream house...
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing at Amaze Me Monday...
Blessings,
Cindy
Beautiful. I always wait and watch for the forsythia and Bradford pear trees to bloom in our neighborhood, right after the crocuses pop up. I'm not sure, but I fear the forsythia were freeze-dried, but today I look out my window here in WV and see the maples bursting - such a change, just overnight! Spring is, by far, my favorite season. Visiting from WOW, where I am also. Have a great rest of the week.
ReplyDeleteRita C at Panoply
Your pear tree is gorgeous! California is in a drought. We have had the most beautiful weather with almost no rainfall.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
Rachel