Bealtaine Cottage, Ireland
One Woman, Three Acres.
The funeral of my darling Mother is over.
I returned on my own last night, preferring to spend time alone.
The next few weeks are going to be very busy, as there’s masses of work to be finished in the gardens and much preparation for the growing season ahead!
The next few weeks will see the Willow opening and bees beginning to emerge, rather tentatively, from hibernation.
If there is to be any good Willow for cutting this year, then the coppicing needs to be done now!
One lazy week will never be caught up with!
Imbolc is welcomed in on the 1st day of February.
This marks the start of the Celtic Spring…always a month or so earlier in these far reaches of Europe. 
The earth begins to dry out and warm up…lovely days ahead!
The ponds will throng with frogs and toads, all making merry in the Springtime revelry!
The wheel turns.
Mother Nature never sleeps.
Spring is on her way!
my condolences on the passing of your mother. I cannot imagine life without mine.
Would you mind talking more about willows, their uses and the practice of coppicing?
Blessings….
I shall keep that in mind for the next blog. Thanks Kim
Condolences. I’m sure your mother died at peace, with pride in her daughter.
Thanks and blessings X Colette X
My condolences to you Colette. My family and I are also going through the process of letting my grandmother go, she’s a stubborn and fierce woman, but it seems her rite of passage is also quickly approaching. May spring bring with it much abundance and greenery to your part of the world!
Blessings!
Thanks and blessings to you Andre XXX Colette
Sorry for your loss, Colette, Hope you find comfort in Bealtaine xx
Thanks Marian XXX Blessings XXX Colette
The sparkle of the dew; the song of a bird, the silence of snow, we hear them.
In the Thin Places,
we see them.
In the moment before waking in gentle morning
we sense them: a smile, a whisper, a sigh
In the purr of a cat, the nuzzle of a dog and the delighted squeal of a child
we love them
deeply
May you always sense your Mother in the Beauty that is Bealtaine.
Eric
How very beautiful…”the Thin Places,” -delicate and ethereal, seeing through silk. Yes, Eric, I understand and thank you for your words XXX Blessings, Colette
My sympathies.
Jo
x
Thanks Jo XXX
My condolences to you Collette. I hope your adjustment to life without the physical presence of your mother is not too hard. Give yourself the odd treat, like meeting up with friends for a coffee. It costs nothing but can ease the adjustment. Take care xxx
Thanks…good advice and I shall! XXX Blessings XXX
My mum died back in 2012 and I feel her with me when I work in my vegetable garden and when I head off exploring online and find something wonderful. They flow through our veins :). Here in Tasmania, Australia the weather is ramping up for a hot February. I wish our autumn was calling but it seems so very far away at the moment. Last year our Summer stretched on…and on…and ON and didn’t leave us until early May! We don’t get a lot of rain over our summer period and by early May the soil was parched, baked and everything was brown, crispy and dry. I love looking at your “damp” images. They make me smile. Enough water for a toad to frolic in! You can’t ask for more than that (especially if you live in Australia 😉 ). Thankyou for this wonderful post 🙂
Thanks and blessings…you made me laugh! I hope your summer is mild and kind and mine long and hot! XXX
Nope…in the middle of it right now…it isn’t listening to you and it is HOT. Tasmania is supposed to be Australia’s “Little Britain” (got to say, the people are certainly reminiscent of the show 😉 ) BUT we seem to be getting mainland temperatures in waves the last few years. Got to say I am lusting for autumn and those first crisp clear mornings when its just me and Brunhilda (my big wood stove) seeing in the new day. I love the cooler months!
Sorry for your loss. Many blessings to you and Happy Imbolc!
And you…the day has been lovely and the evening is drawing in gently…no rain or wind! XXX
My sympathies for your loss. I can only imagine how difficult it must be but am glad the sun is shining and the green is beginning to regenerate. That is a lovely picture of your mother, and the other pictures are breathtaking as well!
I always feel strange celebrating Celtic Spring in the depths of the Canadian winter!
My son, Dylan lives in Canada and so am familiar with the climate…I adore the Autumn in Canada, it is just breath-taking! XXX
That is a very positive outlook you have 🙂
I love the autumn, too, it’s just never quite long enough. It was possibly the thing I missed the most about home when I lived in Killarney.
A lovely picture of your mother, sitting in the sun. I’m sure she will be walking with you and whisper her lessons in your ear. We are along way from Spring here in N.E. U.S. I do celebrate Imbolg and Bridgette (Brige), but it won’t feel like Spring here for 6 weeks at least! Love to watch your preparations with anticipation. Be well. The earth will heal your loss.
Thanks and blessings Mari! I’m keeping busy now and the sun is shining XXX
I am so sorry about your Mom, the picture of her is beautiful. You have such cherished memories of her and she will always be with you. Thanks for giving us a hint of Irish spring.
Carole
My dearest Carole, I look forward to catching up with your life out there in the US…soon, with a big pot of tea! Blessings and thanks for being there XXX
So sorry to hear of your loss Colette, thinking of you and hope you are managing ok.
With love, Terri and Lol xxxx
Blessings and thanks my friends XXX
Extending condolences to you, Colette, on the passing of your mother. I have seen you mention her so fondly. May you always cherish your sweet memories of her. ~ Blessings <3
Thanks and blessings XXX Colette