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!

Beyond the golden mist

As often as I can,

I leave the confines of the town

to get out into the country.

Yesterday, I was greeted by a golden  mist!

The surrounding fields and hills and mountains

were hidden from view.

Yet the sun, which was so close,

gave a lovely golden glow to everything.

The snow barriers are still up,

but so far this winter, they have just received sunshine and a little night frost!

A farm comes into view

and I like the pictures that the sun and mist are painting.

I enjoy them just as they are

without wanting to see beyond.

So it is in life,

I sometimes put up protective barriers

 for things that never happen.

I want to see clear pictures

of what lies ahead

I like to feel reassured.

Yet somehow,

the mist told me

All is well

and just as it should be

and I could tell that the hazy views

were filled with sunshine just waiting to come through.

Sometimes,

when we can't see clearly

it's good just to wait

and be with that moment

until the whole picture comes into view!