Finding My Inner Sparkle

Do you ever feel that you've lost your inner sparkle?
I never do for very long
especially when I feast my eyes on all the beautiful things in nature
at this time of the year.

However, losing a blogging sparkle exists
and sometimes mine wanes a little.

I captured this gorgeous sunshine yellow forsythia at its best
right here in front of my building.
Doesn't it just spell out the word 'HAPPINESS' ?

Nature in springtime certainly allows my heart to blossom
like the delicate petals on this Japanese Magnolia.

Don't these young new leaves on the Tulip Tree
make your heart beat a little faster?

Tulips, like lanterns, lit up from within by the sun.

A pink camellia flower caressed by a sunbeam

and against a deep blue sky

A window box full of spring flowers
and another one reflected in the window from the wall opposite.
These are certainly the joys of spring.

Sharing a glass of Chardonnay wine before lunch 
with an old friend on an outside terrace.

Looking into the heart of a double tulip against a bed of forget-me-not flowers.

Then going for a walk along the lake

observing how the buds on the trees are opening.

 Enjoying the peacefulness.

The changeable weather has taught me to drop everything
on beautiful days and just get out and enjoy it all!

and contemplative moments
gazing at the patterns of the water rippling over the rocks

How are your inner sparkles today?



Reading in Bed: a short story

She let it happen without any particular plan.
The weather outside was uninviting.

Two pillows against the bedstead
a hot water bottle
a book
a mug of something hot.

She loved the soft colours on the patchwork quilt
it felt so snug
It reminded  her of when she was little
and had one of her bad earaches
She had felt less abandoned when she was ill
Somebody noticed.

She put her book down and leant back
Remembering.
Why now?

Why ask questions she said to herself
Let things be
Let them happen as they will
No one is here to judge me
No one

Through the open window
a ray of sunshine came in and created dancing patterns on her desk.
She drank in the beauty of the instant
and that single moment was all that mattered.

The sunshine beckoned and said:
"Come outside!"
And she did.

She met a beautiful tree
and a shadow
"Who are you?" she said
but the shadow stared back and remained silent
Some days she was a complete mystery to herself...



The Sweetness of Pink

Gazing up into a vision of pale pink and green
losing myself in a delicious world of  pastel marshmallow shapes
and being enveloped in a wave of pink tenderness.

All was silent save for the distant hum of bees gathering pollen

Vibrant pink azalea were clamouring for attention

pale pink blossom and more vibrant tones play a melody only heard in spring

Fallen blossom, like wedding confetti, drop to the ground
arranging themselves nonchalantly in seeming disarray.

Closing my eyes a moment or two,
just to experience the sheer joy of opening them again
and seeing it all anew...