Thursday, February 27, 2020

A Slight Stirring Within

Image by Vinson Tan ( 楊 祖 武 ) from Pixabay


"There is always in February some one day, at least, when one smells
the yet distant, but surely coming, Summer."
GERTRUDE JEKYLL
  

I first spotted this lovely quote on my dear friend Sandra's Facebook page. Attributed to Gertrude Jekyll, British horticulturist and gardener of the Victorian/Edwardian era, these lines superbly say what I myself have been feeling these past few days. For my heart leaps in concert with Gertrude (and Sandra) as I, too, begin to catch a whiff of something different in the air, the hint of the yet distant but coming season.

Of course, I know winter is never over this early, not around these parts; there is sure to be more feisty cold and snowy days before it's all said and done. But for the moment, our days are mild with glorious sunshine and the great piles of snow have been gently melting. Something new is a-stir within and without.

A couple of weeks ago I was still very much in hibernation mode, and so the posts I had been working on prior to my computer hard drive crash still mirrored the desire to hunker down and be cozy indoors with quiet pursuits, my books, tea, and my own thoughts. When I came back to these drafts days later, I realized something had shifted and they now felt out of sync. The huge desire to hibernate, in fact, had been evaporating along with the snow outside, and I rather felt an emerging desire to expand. To reach toward the light dawning earlier and staying later each day. To get out into the air that somehow smells and even feels different. So we write something new.

"Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor;
summer an oil painting, and autumn a mosaic of them all."
STANLEY HOROWITZ


I absolutely love the watercolour painting at the top of today's post, and I feel so very lucky-blessed to have found it during a recent image search on pixabay. The artist has done such a lovely job. That bouquet is so alive with colour and joy. It matches my emerging mood.

People will often ask each other what is their favourite season. Ever since I was a young woman intent on discovering my personal interests and preferences, I unequivocally knew that autumn in all her glorious splendour was my season. It fit who I was at the time -- loving the riot of vibrant colours, early twilights, cozy sweaters, and crisp air. I never thought I'd ever change my mind, but recently, even though autumn still is a well loved time of year, I have come to truly appreciate winter, spring, and summer in a similar fashion, and whichever one I happen to be living in the moment becomes my favourite at the time.

I have asked myself why that might be and muse that it might have something to do with being a woman of a certain age. Squarely facing my diminishing future, I recognize I have undoubtedly seen more seasons come and go than I have yet to enjoy ahead of me (unless I live to 120, well then, I'm just over half way there). In that light, I don't want to yearn my life away by longing for spring in January, but prefer to nestle into each one, truly enjoying whatever it is that makes each of the four seasons in turn one of earth's best beloved wonders.

"...I trudge our familiar routes through the wood, and there
is a muted cloud of joy -- muted because I haven't finished
scaling winter. Spring proper is still not yet here."
EMMA MITCHELL, The Wild Remedy


I'm not in a huge hurry for winter to be over, but neither am I oblivious to the slight stirrings, those hints of lovely things to come. It's in the air and I'm feeling it in my soul. Until next time, I'm off to watch for glimpses of heaven in unexpected places. I hope you'll find them too. Happy day!

Hugs,
Brenda
x💓x



15 comments:

  1. I totally feel the same way about seasons! Each one flies by too fast so somewhere in their flurry I have stopped wishing for perpetual summer:) Enjoyed the beauty as always!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh my! That picture is quite stunning and such a lovely harbinger of the seasons we are anticipating. We are definitely looking forward to daffodil season:)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh yes! There is definitely the hint of spring, even as we full well know that winter isn’t done yet.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm also learning to appreciate the seasons more, and would find it hard to choose a favourite. I like your word choice of choosing to "nestle into each one."

    ReplyDelete
  5. I feel the same way! While I have a 30-degree comfort zone (45-75) and don't cherish the stifling hot or the biting cold, I have come to find beauty in each season. Each one is a balm to my soul in its own way. I am thankful that I live where I can experience all the seasons.

    As always, a visit to your blog has beautified my day!

    Blessings,
    Patti

    ReplyDelete
  6. That watercolor is truly stunning with all those colors! It certainly speaks of spring but, like you, I now appreciate each season in turn rather than wish away the cold, snow, heat or rain. It's true that as we age, every moment of life becomes more precious!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Ah, Brenda, I do love this post. I have always enjoyed most of the seasons, with summer as my least favorite. But, there are things about it I do enjoy. Having lived in Southern Virginia for 30 plus years, in the incredible heat and dealing with swarms of mosquitoes took summer to a back burner for me. I truly love spring, autumn and winter. There is so much about them to love. However, I appreciate and am grateful for all my days and the beauty this earth has to offer. Thank you for the note on the Jekyll quote, I always have enjoyed her garden writing.
    Wishing you a lovely day and weekend, my friend.❤

    ReplyDelete
  8. This year, I'm actually yearning for springtime, while most years I wish it could be January and February all year long.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Like you, I appreciate something in all of the season (least of them being the dog days of summer) and also like you, fall is my most favorite as well. But spring has something to offer all it's own after a long, cold winter. I walked around our property over the weekend some and spring was burst forth everywhere. I absolutely love the quote from Stanley Horowitz...it's just how I look at it too. As always, your words put so many things into perspective...and yes, that beautiful watercolor is stunning! Enjoy a wonderful weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  10. We are beginning to see the first signs of Spring here. I cant wait for the Winter season to be over, everyone seems tired and dispirited.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I like that winter is not going away without a fight, just one more storm, a little more rain... must have read Dylan Thomas' "Do not go gentle into that good night."
    Amalia
    xo

    ReplyDelete
  12. I do like all seasons too, but I always find myself impatient for winter to be over. The other 3 seasons I don't have that impatience.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I also enjoy things from each season. While I love the cozy sweaters in winter, I'm looking forward to shedding the layers and longer days.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Ah Brenda I too used to say autumn was my favorite season but like you I find the special joys in each of the others. Love that watercolor painting too. Hope spring comes your way soon. Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I also love autumn, but several years ago I,too, made the choice to not rush the seasons, but to find joy in living life regardless if it was summer, or winter, etc.

    Thanks for you good words here, Brenda.

    ReplyDelete

To My Beautiful Readers,

Some people come into our lives, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never the same. ~ Franz Peter Schubert

Thank you so much for leaving your 'footprint' here in my comment box. I do appreciate you taking a moment to share your thoughts today.

Brenda xo