Thursday, or Thereabouts - April 11, 2019

It's cold, -3°C. It's grey and snow flurries are mocking Spring as they twirl outside my door. I'm sure I can hear giggling! So I'm going to stay indoors and daydream about blooms both wild and cultivated - vibrant with colour and fragrance, magnificent and without limit.

I love watching the forest come to life every Spring. Without any hand planting, or watering, or weeding, colour emerges.

Sophie loves the trilliums.

I truly have neither the diligence nor the talent to manage much beyond hanging baskets and a few planters filled with hardy blooms that tolerate sandy soil, full sun, and my frequent neglect.

I can hardly wait to get my hands dirty rooting around in the rich earth, caring for this year's gaggle of joy and wonder. Oh - and look what I found in my garden tour yesterday - fledgling rhubarb

...and a bulb daring to sprout in a planter along the south wall of the house. I'm not sure what it is yet, as I planted crocus, tulips in the pot back in the Fall.

Hope springs eternal!

©2019 April Hoeller

A to Z Challenge - G is for Garden

It's cold. It's grey. It's been snowing. It's a good day to dream about a garden - vibrant with colour and fragrance, magnificent and without limit.

I love what happens in the forest, without any hand planting, or watering, or weeding.

Sophie loves the forest Trilliums

I truly have neither the diligence nor the talent to manage much beyond hanging baskets and a few planters filled with hardy blooms that tolerate full sun and my frequent neglect.

©2018 April Hoeller

A to Z Challenge - F is for FUBAR'd

For those who aren't familiar with the term, according to the fount of all knowledge, Google®,  FUBAR has its origins in 1940's military jargon. The acronym politely translates to Fouled Up Beyond All Recognition. You can guess the impolite though more accurate translation, I'm sure.

Spring in southern Ontario is FUBAR'd!

My hand is forced this day to pen a letter of remonstrance...

My dear Lady of Radiant Joy,

I do so love your annual visits - your soft fingers of brightness empower my post-winter days, stirring me to new hopes, new dreams, coaxing new life out of my hibernating soul. Your fresh greens and blossoms full of promise are the delight of my days.

And oh how I thrill to the solar system's announcement of your opening day. BUT it has now been over three weeks since the Sun's proclamation and you have yet to grace my doorstep.

There is much grumbling in the realm, my dear. People are rather upset about your absence, so much so that some have filed "Missing Person" reports, while others have declared an "Error 404" condition (file or directory not found). There have also been a few notices of termination issued, pink slips with your name on them and the words, "You're FIRED!"

Can you blame them? Just look at yesterday morning's offering:

"A" for effort on the sunshine; "FUBAR" for overall achievement!

And this morning shows little improvement!

I prefer a conciliatory approach to address this issue with you, a kinder, gentler therapy. I understand how hard it is to face down a blustering winter windbag. I understand your reluctance to stand your ground against a bully who has overstayed his seasonal booking. So, I forgive your meandering March missteps. I forgive your awkward April absence.

Now, how can I help you overcome the obstacles in your way? May I suggest some assertiveness exercises, along with a twelve-step confidence building and self-esteem enhancement program?

All of which will be fast-tracked, I assure you.
Together we can do this.

Come along now dear.
Take my hand and let's get this done.
It's time.

Hugs & kisses
April

                         P.S. -- 

GET YOUR BACKSIDE IN GEAR - 

GET UP, GET DRESSED AND SHOW UP! 

(just in case all you really need is a swift kick) 

©2018 April Hoeller