Birthday Month

So here we are again, another birthday coming and going.  Spring and winter can't make up it's mind.  However it is a time for celebration.  Being a Pisces, there are many truths about my astrological sign that are "right on".  I won't brag about it being the BEST month or the wonderful gifts of a Pisces, it just wouldn't be what we are about.  Just take my word for it.  (laughing here!)

I was delighted over the weekend to be out on the motorcycle with my wonderful husband.  It is a time for me to reflect as we travel down the back country roads.  Often a certain scent in the air will bring an old memory.  The smell of a dairy farm reminded me of my step Dad milking Holstein cows.  Being in the barn at milking time was always a comforting time for me.  I hung out with the baby calf, petting his silky clean hair.  He might be playful after having just gotten a tummy full of milk and his mother gone he had the stall to himself.  Or I might remember the time I just sat in the hay mow and looked out the window, contemplating whatever might have been on my mind.  Of course, I remembered the times we helped stack hay and straw for those cows, a lot of hot summer work.

Then we might be passing houses on the motorcycle and the scent of woodsmoke remindes me of campfires with friends.  We have spent many years camping with family and horses, a campfire smell takes me back to those wonderful times.  Or I might remember cutting wood for years to feed our wood stove and before that when I was a kid at home helping with the wood cutting for our wood furnace. 

I see horses in a field, the thawed fields of spring gives them muddy places to roll.  I remember those muddy horses, the shedding hair and the wonderful smell of their breath.  I remember the miles and miles of riding I've done in my life.  I wouldn't have changed a moment and miss my horses now, even during the spring shedding season.

I also reflect on where I am now, this very moment in my life.  I feel nothing but contentment.  I am exactly where I am suppose to be.  My heart is happy for the journey and I feel complete.  Oh, there have been times that were hard, but no one gets off without some hardships.  Being sixty four years old is quite an accomplishment, to find such peace is to be in an awesome place.  I am content with all things, even if there were things I'd like to change, I am even at peace with those things too. 

I have been blessed with so many joys, a wonderful supportive husband, children that are the most amazing people I know.  Grand children that are the smartest, most beautiful and talented I know.  I have traveled a complete circle, finding my birth father, learning I have cousins and three more brothers.  Having spent my entire life not knowing them and to now having them all in my life.  It proves to me that the heart is ever expanding and love is never too great for you to give or recieve.

So I rejoice, just like spring and winter, it is all a balance, everything will work out, just as it is suppose to be.      Amazing................. 

Winter Fairies

Just outside, beyond the lace curtained window, is a flower garden inside a beautiful wrought iron fence.  It is a very special place.  Oh, it may look quiet and snow covered to you, but on this snowy winter day, but I believe the little town of Fairy Wonderland is thriving and very busy.



These little fairies are happily moving among the little igloo buildings, with twinkling lights, visiting one another and gathering for a drum and dance.  The fairies will celebrate near the little pond, ice skating and a bonfire will be enjoyed after the drum and dance ceremony.   They are celebrating the ending of winter, the coming of spring.  This late winter, early spring snow is a bonus, bringing much needed moisture to spring blossoms in the Fairy Garden.




Fairy Guardian

The snow covered earth sparkles like diamonds from the twinkling lights of the fairy lanterns beneath the snow.  The Fairies, themselves are dressed for the occasion, scarves of woven sweetgrass, legwarmers from last summers dried flower petals.  Their hats are made of various seed pods and padded with downy fiber to insulate them a little.  You know of course they don't really need warm clothing, they do it because it makes them happy!  Their boots are pointy and have little tinkling bells that jingle when they walk, it all adds to the joy they have for living with nature every day. 

Winter Bittersweet 

Their little winter village has fences of icicles that will eventually drip away, leaving the meadows of their village open giving them freedom to run and play.  They delight in taking picnics to the fields of spring and sitting under blooming violets and dandelions for shade. 

The village of Fairies have been living in my garden for many years, they are happy here, they don't seem to mind that I don't trample around too often and make all things tidy to our human eyes.  They like things to go a little wild, because they love beauty in the wild things and so do I.

I've seen them on occasion.  My favorite moment, when they were dancing around the spring daffodils, holding hands with one another and skipping around and round the clump of beautiful blooming yellow flowers.  Another time they were dancing in the tree leaves above my hammock.  I had to squint my eyes ever so slightly to see them, they hide from most who are too busy to notice.

Once when we were doing baskets of flowers for my daughters wedding, I ask for the fairies to help keep them growing and flourishing during the growing process before the wedding.  I have never seen such beauty surrounding those baskets.........

There is also a little tea set in the garden, they love to have tea parties and especially like it when I leave them sweets, a little candy or cookie is always welcome. Today I think I'll make them some hot chocolate and marshmallows for the celebration tonight.  Going to be quite an event, I can almost hear the drum and little tinkling bells.