Texas Spring

In late March and early April (late this year, but with conditions perfect for an unusually lavish display), our Texas Bluebonnets and Indian Paintbrush spread over fields and roadsides in a vivid blanket of color.  I love the mounds of Bluebonnets stretching as far as I can see.  I love the contrast of  fiery Indian Paintbrush.  Looking for the first spots of blossom has delighted me each Spring for as long as I can remember.  When we moved to California, and then to Indonesia in 1987, there were 5 years when Texas Spring was only something to read about or remember.  After my son Jeremy came back to the U.S., he sent me a letter with 2 small pressed flowers.  Underneath, he wrote "Texas Spring".  I framed the piece of folded paper with his words and the dried wildflowers.  The paintbrush and bonnets have gone to seed for another year, but I still have that 20 year old reminder.  Thank you, Jeremy!

Who Is Happiest?

When our sons were growing up, one of our Spring things was purchasing little net bags of damp straw holding hundreds of ladybugs to set free in our garden. This project had double benefits:  the ladybugs would feast on some of our garden pests, and the boys loved dancing in the swarm of the lady bug launching, letting them land on their arms and hair. The tradition continues as their daughters experience the joy of releasing something created to fly away free.  I think Maddie's smile answers the question, "Who is happiest?"

What Is Your Name?

It is a cool cloudy day following our rains yesterday, so I planted the pepper plants Joe and I bought a few days ago. 19 of them!! Green and yellow Bells, Gypsies, Anchos, Habaneros, Cayennes, Mucho Nachos (giant jalapenos)  and Chili Pequins (tiny, but 8 times hotter than a jalapeno)...all levels of the Scoville scale.  We already have tomatoes setting fruit.  I like planting heirloom varieties.  This year we put in Paul Robesons, Tliacolula Pinks, Black Cherries, Money Makers, Cherokee Purples and Juliettes.  The only hybrid plant I put in is a Better Bush.  It may give me a more predictable harvest but I love the different shapes and colors of the heirlooms.  Truth be told,  I love the names, too.  Whether it is a rose or a vegetable, the name calls me first.

Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow

My Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow bush is not yet blooming like this, but it will be soon.  This picture is from last year (Yesterday).   Its current season of blooms (Today) will bless us all these different colors as the blooms appear and fade.  It will bloom again. (Tomorrow).  My dear friend Debbie brought me the bush the week before they moved from Texas four years ago, as a reminder of enduring friendship.  In this week after Easter, I am grateful for past and present and future Grace.  Everlasting.

See the land, her Easter keeping,

 Rises as her Maker rose.
Seeds, so long in darkness sleeping,
 Burst at last from winter snows.
 Earth with heaven above rejoices.”
        ~Charles Kingsley

Palm Sunday

Children waving palms, drums beating, handbells ringing, choir singing...all processing in for this morning's worship service to reenact and remind that Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem is the beginning for our holy week.  Sean had a drum.  Skye joined the children and sang "Could it be?... Isn't he?"  Kristen and I rang handbells.  I had my regular place in the choir between bell presentations.    My heart filled with gratitude for the significance of the day as the beginning of Holy Week, for my family's participation.  Our children and grandchildren who live in this area were all present and part of the experience.

Tea Time

Maddie celebrates her fourth birthday with a tea party for a few friends.  "Tea for two, and two for tea.  Me for you, and you for me....can't you see happy we will be?"  Be sure to wear something fancy!

                                                                       

Crazy Quilt Art

In our area of Texas, school children of all ages enter art projects in a Rodeo art competition in the weeks leading up to the rodeo in Houston.  Skye won a ribbon for her entry, titled Crazy Quilt.  I have always loved crazy quilts, and have a few pillow covers and one quilt made by my grandmother in this fashion.  I like the stories told by the various scraps of fancy fabrics.  I like remembering my grandmother's hands when I trace my fingers over the feather stitching and briar stitches outlining the quilt patches.  One day soon, I will show Skye the art fashioned by her great great grandmother.