even the fairies
have settled in
for a long
winter’s nap
still tucked in
covered
by
a soft
blanket of snow
with
just
a
lemon feather
and
a few
festive trappings
above
reminding us
of
the spring
below
and
yet
to come.
—
“perhaps I am a bear, or some hibernating animal underneath,
for the instinct to be half asleep all winter is so strong in me.”
– anne morrow lindbergh
“despite the forecast, live like it’s spring.” ― lilly pulitzer
—
photo credit: faerie magazine
once in a while
there are those perfect days
when holidays collide
today is one such day
groundhog’s day
and
an official snow day from school
a surprise gift from the universe
and i will celebrate both
“today is “ground-hog’s day” in many parts of the united states,
and candlemas day in many other parts of the world.
from time immemorial,
it has been a critical day in the affairs of the weather.
the character of the second of february is
really of much more importance
than whether the first of march comes in like a lion or a lamb.”
the simplest form of the adage is:—
if candlemas day be bright and clear,
there’ll be two winters in that year.
~hartford courant, 1877
—
image credits: genuinemudpie.org, brownie groundhog, the february fox, by susan blackaby
went to the 4th annual water hill music fest, held the first sunday of each may
in a neighborhood filled with artists, musicians, and eccentrics of the highest order, music rules the day
founded In 2011, Paul Tinkerhess (folksman, craftsman, businessman) to spotlight the cohesive personality of the neighborhood as well as its musicians, this un-sponsored event follows only one rule: at least one member of each performing band must reside in water hill.
so excited to see my very talented carpool mate create some jazz with the neighbors
every kind of music and settings and audience members were represented
all in the front yards, back yards, decks and gardens of their homes
people of all ages were welcome to participate
friends bonded together by their music
and a community bonded together by their sounds
and many joined into the drum circle
and they were from all walks of life
and everyone joined in to support the day
and many saw music that was new to them and old to others
and people came on foot, on bike, and by car to sit and listen and take it all in
and everyone had so much fun
and the maypole dance was the perfect way to welcome in the season
“Music acts like a magic key, to which the most tightly closed heart opens.”
― Maria von Trapp
—
image credits: peaches, monte fowler, ann arbor.com
what’s this fickle spring
you come in like an aardvark
and out like a ram?
—
image credits: the daily city, country living
Spring has returned. The Earth is like a child that knows poems. Rainer Maria Rilke
image credit: earthporn.com
—
May you find stillness in movement,
comfort in letting go,
sacred in the everyday,
and in all things –
beauty.
(author unknown)
—-
happy st. patrick’s day to all, as we await the return of spring once more.
while looking for holiday lesson ideas to share with my kinder class, i stumbled upon this one from a home-schooling page online. i must say i found it terrifying.
‘jesus in the tomb – cooking lesson’
‘jesus said he would rise from the dead in 3 days. he rose in 3 days.’
supplies needed: crescent rolls, marshmallows, cinnamon, margarine
directions: take one marshmallow and dip it in margarine. roll it in cinnamon. have the children place it inside of the center of the triangle of dough. have them fold the dough around the marshmallow so that the marshmallow is ‘buried’ in its tomb. bake according to the crescent roll package directions. have the children take the role of the guards at jesus’ tomb. have them stand guard at the oven. take the rolls out of the tomb (oven) and let the cool. the marshmallows will be gone, just like jesus’ body was gone!
other suggested lessons:
creative writing – have the children pretend to be reporters interviewing pontius pilate. ask him things like: why did you make your decision? were you pressured into it? have the children use their imagination to answer the questions.
art/literacy lesson – have them lay on large paper, trace them, and write across their chest – ‘jesus lives in me.’
food lesson – make easter sandwiches, crust symbolizes god, white is jesus, fillings are holy spirit. choose your fillings, can use red fillings to symbolize blood, share them, give thanks and enjoy!
after reviewing all of this, i opted to color eggs, hide them, show scary easter bunny pics, and eat a lot of chocolate.
I didn't have my glasses on.... 
