Five Things I Love about April

1. The meeting of the seasons:

I love how lingering winter and spring mingle together to create their contrasting beauty.

The last snowfalls and flowering magnolia are a lovely example here.

2. The lakeside

 Dreamy walks along the lake at times of the day when there are as few people as possible!

Don't you love this amazing metal sculpture of a wave of little fish?

Here is a close-up.

3. Nature waking up

The spring flowers which start to bloom just everywhere. I love them all,

but there's nothing like daffodils to represent spring awakening!

Deep pink Hellebore

sometimes known as 'Lenten Rose' or 'Winter Rose'

Grapes of tiny flower buds which hang so gracefully on the branches.

4. Getting out into nature

From where I live above the centre of the town, I can easily get public transport

by bus and metro, up to the fields and the woods to enjoy the wide expanses,

the green fields and wooded areas

with just the sound of birdsong and the breeze rustling in the trees.

5. The longer days

When I can enjoy early morning walks before breakfast 

when all is still quiet and then again in the evenings after supper to hear the blackbird singing

in the trees in my neighbourhood.

There are many other things to appreciate during the month of April

and I'm sure you have your favourites too!

Coming Back to Simplicity

Wheat fields and fluffy clouds

and tender petalled poppies

as I immerse myself in the simplicity of line, colour and texture

and much more...

Little upright red flowers

playing soldiers in a forest of stalks

and striding to a destination only known to them!

Hold an armful of daisies to your heart

Whisper the name "Marguerite" to their yellow centres

and they will smile back at you.

Swish, swish goes the field of wheat

in the galloping wind as I pass by.

The last of the rapeseed flowers

and layer upon layer of green loveliness

tenderly caressed by a pastel-blue sky above the sea of dancing wheat.

The fragrance of the lilac came upon me on the wind

enchanting me when I followed my nose

to discover its hiding place.

Sweet wild growing forget-me-nots

reminding me of those who no longer journey with me, but who reside in my heart.

A last glance towards the farm

nestled among green fields and overlooking the mountains.

The simplest things are the best

as they remind me of the true values of life -

away from the competitive, often superficial and material side

of our existence.

This is the age of reality shows, social networks

of mobile mania

of being the best at everything

and letting everyone else know!

What happened to life in the slow lane

when just being was enough?

Contentment in the moment

because we are actually living it

and not in a state of preoccupation for past experiences

nor galloping towards some unknown future

which doesn't actually exist,  except in our minds!

How do you get back to simplicity?

Do you have your secrets

that you whisper to the wind?

I do!