Amaryllis

Amaryllis
Originally uploaded by january spin

The solid reds have already bloomed out and now the red and white ones
are blooming. I adore flowers that not only come back each year but
also multiply. It does make gardening easier.

Unknown tree

Unknown tree
Originally uploaded by january spin

Not sure what this tree is but it is really pretty. Similar to a
dogwood but the flowers are different. If someone can identify it
please let me know.

* A couple of friends have let me know that the unidentified tree is a Tung tree--as in Tung Oil. The downside is that apparently it has large nuts or bolls that come with it and they are so hard they will tear up a lawn mower or put dents in a car parked under it. Ah, beauty seems to come at a price.

Anam Cara

Anam Cara is a beautiful sound. It just seems to roll off the tongue. The meaning is even more beautiful. It means "soul friend". It's no wonder so many of the Irish were poets. The language is musical.  I have started a study at church using a book called Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom by John O'Donohue. The first chapter talks about what a soul friend is and as I stopped to really think about it, I found I have been blessed with at least 3 soul friends.

How fortunate I am that they have let me in their lives. We can go for weeks without talking (although it's never really that long) and when we do talk, or even better see each other, it's like we have never been apart. They know my deepest feelings and yet they care for me anyway. There is a trust there that goes deep. I have often referred to each of them as the other half of my brain,  but Anam Cara is a much better way to describe what they mean to me.

I hope everyone has an Anam Cara.

It's finally Spring

There are a couple of weeks in the South before the heat and humidity chase most of us inside . During these weeks we can enjoy the most glorious color to be found anywhere. Everything from cool whites, to delicate pinks, soft lavendars to hot pinks and vivid reds can be seen in the forms of azaleas, wisteria and spirea. The three together are a winning combination. This year I promised myself to take a day and just drive around enjoying the glorious sights. Once the rain comes, the blossoms will start dropping quickly so I decided that today was the day. It was made even more enjoyable because I had my sister in law with me and she loves plants as much as I do. We oohed and aahed a lot .

There was also a great tree with wonderful burls on it. I hope someday when it's time for the tree to come down, some woodworker will get to have that tree and make something spectacular with those burls. My friend Gus could have made incredible bowls from that wood. He really had an artisans touch.

I hope your Spring is as gorgeous as mine and that you take the time to enjoy it. God's creation is truly amazing. How sad if we are too busy to admire it.