Spring Festival

              There's a small town in the southern part of our state, 

approx 2 hours from where I live. 

Charleston, MO.

 

I'm not sure which came first ...

the founding fathers 

(and most likely mothers who are, after all, 

usually the gardeners in a family) 

noticing that the town was filled with native dogwoods and azaleas 

and it deserved to be celebrated  

OR

the town decided 70 years ago to fill the town with flowering spring trees

so they'd have something to celebrate after surviving harsh winters

before heading into even harsher summers.                 

Whichever way it occurred, I'm grateful for their foresight.
                      

Dogwoods and Azaleas -

what a GREAT combination -

and an absolutely lovely way to spend some hours this past week.

 

The 53rd Annual Dogwood and Azalea Festival started this weekend 

and will continue through next week.

Of course there were extraordinary houses as would befit the towns most affluent citizens

but there was beauty to be found in every house, no matter how humble.

This bungalow was my favorite!

Color me ready to move in!

It was a delight.

I would recommend finding those oases of beauty in your area

and giving yourself the gift of dwelling there,

if only for a few hours.

Spring Fling

 Isolation during the winter has created such a strong desire 

to see the earth 'open up' again -

and Mother Nature has delightfully obliged.

A recent trip to Shaw Nature Preserve did wonders for my spirits;

with multiple reminders that spring is indeed on its way.

 Thousands of naturalized daffodils can cheer up any day.

Two recent falls, 

the last one down some basement steps,

has created new problems with mobility

which will be further defined by an MRI later this week.

Since I'm essentially non weight bearing status - 

well, as much as is humanly possible when you live alone,

I've taken comfort in having decorated the house for spring already 

which means I can sit - 

and everywhere I look there's something to cheer me up.

I was delighted these beauties were within walking distance of my house -

although I didn't walk, 

I drove past them on my way to the grocery store for pain medicine

and took photos from the car.

How lucky was I, right?

Enjoy spring wherever you are - 

and stay upright, if you can! 

It just makes things easier.