Oh Spring

April 10-16, 2013

The things that I love most I have discovered I can easily forget about. Until, that is, the moment I realize I am surrounded and engulfed by beauty. Spring is one of those times when I forget the memory of what it is really like because I am consumed by the heaviness of winter. Then my eye catches the first bud on a tree. Suddenly my senses trigger something inside me. I know something is changing; new life is about to emerge.

As the days pass, I remember to observe, to notice the slight changes that are happening all around me: the first dandelion sighting, the vibrant colors of the red buds peaking through, the opening of the tulips, the blossom of the cherry trees.

In a matter of days a barren world comes to life. As I close my eyes and breathe in deep the fresh fragrances filling the air, I feel an overwhelming emotion as I remember how much I truly love spring.

This year I am blessed with the time to immerse myself in the joys of spring. The Duke Gardens has been my comfort in this time of healing. Everyday that I go I see the great amount of changes that are occurring in a matter of days. Everywhere I turn I see another blossom begging to be photographed.

May this nature log by a constant reminder to never stop noticing the beauty in life.

Weeping Peach

Dawn Redwood

Dawn Redwood

Weeping Higan Cherry

Tulip

Fern

Alabama Snow-wreath

Bald Cypress

Eastern Redbud

Grace Allbritton - Japanese Camilla

Black Tie - Japanese Camilla 

Ashton's Pride - Camellia

Daybreak Yoshino Cherry

Dogwood

Chinese Fringe Flower

Kirishima Azalea

Fringe Tulip

Flowering Crabapple

Wisteria

Medical Leave – Blue Devil Dash

April 7, 2013

            

The healing seems to be moving slower than I do. I am getting better. This is true; however, being surrounded by constant temptation to do things I know I shouldn’t do is not helping my situation. Therefore, I decided to apply for medical leave from my job. This was a hard decision to arrive at as I know there are plenty of things I can do where my main position is sitting behind a desk. Still I think this is for the best in the long run. After all I have to live with my back for the rest of my life.  

So yesterday was my last day of work for 4-6 weeks. The first annual Blue Devil Dash was a good not to go out on, as we had perfect weather and a good first-time turnout. Congratulations to all the runners/walkers who completed something I definitely could not do!

This is No April Fools

It Finally Happened. I have joined a knitting/crochet group. There. I said it. I joined almost a month ago. I knew it would happen someday. How could it not? How do you avoid things that run deep in your blood? So deep, in fact, that I am bombarded on both sides of the family. Mom’s side: My mom, two aunts, and a cousin. Dad’s side: two aunts, a couple of cousins, and a grandmother that can crochet dollies in the dark. Not to mention my sister who has been crocheting for years and just decided recently to teach herself how to knit.

However, the thing that really pushed me over the edge here was purpose. I struggle to learn a new craft just for the sake of making something. A greater purpose is needed to provide inspiration and motivation. How about orphan children in a country you didn’t even know existed? Yup. That did it for me.

Now, here is the icing on the cake. What do these orphans need? Scarves. What is the first thing a person makes when the learn how to crochet or knit? Scarves.

And just to add some sprinkles on that icing: I didn’t even have to buy a crochet hook. Over all of these years I have lived out on my own and after all of those times I have packed and unpacked my car I managed to find a hook hiding among my craft supplies. Yup… It was bound to happen.