Thursday, May 7, 2015

"We do not go to the green woods and crystal waters to rough it, we go to smooth it. We get it rough enough at home, in towns and cities." - G. W. Sears



We had a nice rain this  afternoon and more expected tomorrow.  I hope this is a sign of a wet or at least average rainfall this summer.


These dianthus are new.  Love the clovey scent and the blue foliage.  In the past, dianthus haven't done too well in my heavy, clay soil, but I keep trying different locations hoping to find a site they can tolerate.




The crabapples are amazing this spring.  The red one is just outside my kitchen window.  The white is in front of the milkhouse.  





It's been an outstanding year for tulips.  The cold weather has kept them fresh and beautiful for weeks.  I have one or two late blooming varieties yet to show.


Spent the morning rambling through the fields around my farm.  This time of year, there are always interesting things along the hedgerows.  Above is a wild grape leafing out.  I thought the colors and textures were nice.


Soon to brighten the creek side with beautiful blooms.


Probably a robin's nest but the redwing Blackbirds were hovering in the tree above it.




Definite beaver activity.  I would like to find the dam but am completely unwilling to brave the tick infested woods to search it out.  


A little downey watching the dogs and myself pass.


MacDuff racing across the pasture.


"People are different on a path.  On a town sidewalk strangers may make eye contact, but that's all.  On a path like this they smile, say hello, and pet one another's dogs. 
~ Anne Lusk 

Jessica Fowler
Mar 22, 2012
There are crackles and scratches woven here;
bridges and highways where little things run.

Over tangles of brambles and berries
a bud’s coming out; a hand lying open in grass.

There is bracken crisping; brown and dry;
shaded by waxy leaves where water balls roll.

There are bees in the air, flitting around.
Air which is thick with nectar and pollen.

It’s dense in here; cramped thorns twist,
ears are twitching, claws scratch on bark.

When the light goes away eyes start to shine,
the scurrying gets furious, noises in darkness.

An owl glides down and a mouse hurries up
but quicker than light, he’s swept from the ground.

Spiralling up from his hawthorn nest
He’s stolen away; into the night.

Sparrows whistle, a feather snags on a branch
and the moon bows down to the lilac dawn.

10 comments:

Lowcarb team member said...

Love the dianthus ... and that photo of MacDuff is just great.

I think your choice of Anne Duff is spot on - those words so true. What a shame we don't all take time to smile and acknowledge our fellow human beings... because after all what price is a friendly smile ?

All the best Jan

Indie said...

Love the red fringed tulips, very striking! I love the first quote - it really does seem more like roughing it when interacting with so many people, where as it is so nice and peaceful outside with the woods around. That is so awesome you have beavers! I hope you'll get to see them around some!

Anita Johnson said...

I love dianthus too, the fragrance is one of my favorites...almost tropical, like a spice. The two quotes in this post, I will remember them both. I love that we go to the country to smooth it. It's true.
Thank you for the comments on my weird Wisconsin landscape. ..."yazoo stream and I think the lumpy wetland is referred to as hummocky. " I'm going to look up those two words. Your memory must be good, I have never heard them before. I just read your bio. I haven't said anything on my blog, but we just bought a house that overlooks a huge wetland, in fact we will be able to kayak from our new property. I am very excited for the photo opportunities. Maybe I will ask you to read this and delete it...we haven't told all of my family we are moving yet either. (0:

Rambling Woods said...

I wanted to thank you for the thoughtful comments that you leave on my blog...I get depressed by it all, but we all have to do our part.. I too have clay soil... Pretty blooms and birds...Michelle

tina said...

Hedgerows are so vital and so full of life. I always enjoy their little communities. The bird eggs are such a pretty blue.

BeadedTail said...

The local university is the Oregon State Beavers yet we've seen no evidence of Beavers around here! Guess Oregon is the Beaver state so they must be somewhere! MacGruff looks so happy! Made me smile!

troutbirder said...

Love that first quote. It must be why we left the big city and have settled comfortably in the country now for fifty years....;)

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi there, Just stopping by to say “Happy Mother’s Day” to you. I’m sure you are having a fabulous day. I celebrated yesterday when one of my sons and his beautiful wife came to see us….

As you probably know, we’ve been out-of-town this past week and I haven’t done any blogging much at all. I hope you enjoyed my two Tulip blog posts while we were gone——and be sure and tune in tomorrow morning to find out what we’ve been doing this past week….

Enjoyed your post today! I wouldn't wander back into that 'bug-infested' area either --but sorry the beavers are enjoying that tree...

Love your Tulips. Ours were pretty --but are long gone now. The irises are putting on a show now for us.
Hugs,
Betsy

Rose said...

Such beautiful tulips! I think the red and purple one was on my wish list last year, but I forgot to order any. Maybe I'll remember this year:) There aren't many hedgerows left around here anymore, but I remember when I was younger always loving explore "wild" places like them. It's true living in the country is different. Everyone waves as they drive by, even if they're not sure who it is.

walk2write said...

You are one of my favorite bloggers, Marnie. You have a special way of smoothing out my day's rough spots with your choice of poetry, prose, and photos. It's my virtual walk for the day. Lovely!