Spring forever appears
the soothing music part
of lyrics unspoken.
It thaws the frozen fears,
mends the wounded heart
that Winter has broken.
~Aarno Davidson
Tomorrow is the national holiday of Ireland, St Patrick’s Day. As is the norm., the weather is promised cold and a little unpredictable in terms of snow, rain and wind. Here at Bealtaine Cottage the march of Spring continues unabated.
Spring makes its own statement, so loud and clear that the gardener seems to be only one of the instruments, not the composer.
~Geoffrey B. Charlesworth
As always, the mornings here are filled with promise and, usually, sunshine.
Ribes sanguineum have exploded into a bright pink fuzzy life, enticing the solitary Bees to awaken from hibernation.
Their heady aroma moves through the trees in a binding spell of delight.
It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.
~Charles Dickens, Great Expectations
Awake, thou wintry earth –
Fling off thy sadness!
Fair vernal flowers, laugh forth
Your ancient gladness!
~Thomas Blackburn, “An Easter Hymn”
Hazel Catkins add a yellow hue to a backdrop of blue.
I’ve banished Winter, saith the Spring,
Awake! arise, ye flowers!
Brisk breezes blow,
Bright sunshine glow,
And rouse the young Year’s powers.
~Henry James Slack (1818–1896)
Despite March’s windy reputation, winter isn’t really blown away; it is washed away. It flows down all the hills, goes swirling down the valleys and spills out to sea. Like so many of this earth’s elements, winter itself is soluble in water…. It is a wet world, winter’s harsh grip beginning to relax…. An outcropping ledge on the hillside sheds its beard of icicles and becomes a seep spring that drips into a shallow pool that feeds a growing runlet.
~”Washing Winter Away,” The New York Times, 1964 March 17th
Now when the primrose makes a splendid show,
And lilies face the March-winds in full blow,
And humbler growths as moved with one desire
Put on, to welcome spring, their best attire…
~William Wordsworth, “Poor Robin,” March 1840
And so by degrees the winter wore away… and the chill, bitter, windy, early spring came round. The comic almanacs give us dreadful pictures of January and February; but, in truth, the months which should be made to look gloomy in England are March and April. Let no man boast himself that he has got through the perils of winter till at least the seventh of May.
~Anthony Trollope (1815–1882), The Chronicles of Barsetshire
March brings breezes loud and shrill,
Stirs the dancing daffodil.
~Sara Coleridge (1802–1852)
I hope you enjoyed this feast of Spring…Blessings X Colette
A Cottage and Three Acres
Please email Colette if you would like a particular inscription in your book. From a desolate cottage set in 3 acres of monoculture sadness, to a vibrant, thriving food forest of life…the journey back to Eden over 13 years… Bealtaine Books and Maps are printed in Ireland and posted from Ireland to support the people of Ireland.
€29.00
More titles…
https://bealtainecottage.com/bealtaine-cottage-publications-books-and-maps/
Annette Fields from Florida, USA
I, also, have just discovered your Youtube postings. I have no there social media, but I am inspired and impressed with all you have accomplished! You are living my fantasy, my dream life.
I am a woman alone as well, and I have dreamed and prayed for a little bit of land of my own to build a beautiful, wild garden. My age and health will not allow anything on the scale of yours, but I plan to relocate in the next few months, and I am very hopeful of finding a place that I can try some of your wonderful ideas with a bit of mother earth.
You need to be encouraged in your faith in the goodness of humanity because every person that accomplishes something precious as you have will receive their share of hurtful, angry response along with the gratitude others will express. I want to encourage you and say bless you for this vibranot project you are accomplishing with your life!
God bless you. I will be watching and learning, and bathing in the lovely and exceptionally interesting and inspiring things you bring to us. Watching these have put hope back into my life. Thank you!
Aspettando che arrivi questa desiderata primavera, che bello leggere i tuoi scritti e vedere le tue foto immaginando un giardino da fare
Wonderful photos Colette. I love to see the moss – I think Moss is the most beautiful expression of green in Nature. Life feels exciting once we get to this time of year.
As I sit in warm spring sunshine with the sheep bleating in the field behind, calling to their tiny lambs, I read your blog and sighed.
Beautiful words and pictures matched by a beautiful new spring day. Blessings to all at Bealtaine🌷☘️🐑
I SO enjoyed this taste of spring! It seems to be taking extra long time get here in southern Delaware, USA this year. Your gardens look beautiful already! And loved the quotes!
We have bought a little granary plus an acre of land in Mayo and are inspired by what you have achieved. Do you have open days planned for this year at all?
All are now booked…did you watch the video?
Every day brings new revelations for the eager eye to perceive! With every passing day natures un-folding appears to be going warp speed, like those Ribes! LOL. Hugs Megan 🙂
Lovely to see the feast of Spring at Bealtaine.
Love the new look on your blog, I am starting to read from the beginning yet again, you are such an amazing woman and an inspiration to me, I watch you youtube videos also.
Colette you have bought so much joy into my life, thankyou for all your hard work.
I dream of a day when we can move home and find a run down place and transform it and do more for mother earth, we won’t give up we keep working and I know one day this dream will turn into reality.
Blessings
Marlene xx
Love the re-design of the blog. Looks great!
And what a wonderful Feast it is. 😀
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Gosh, I look with envy at your Ribes sanguineum which has sadly been declared a WEED here in New Zealand because the birds spread it everywhere in the native bush and it ‘takes over waterways’. So I suppose I shouldn’t really plant it …. mind you, when did that ever stop me planting buddleias for bees & butterflies (also an apparent noxious weed here) But it’s SO beautiful, I’d really love to have it! xx
Looks quite hopeful for this year.
I love you, your garden, your videos and posts…it’s a wonderful haven you’ve created. My small garden is coming to life as the days warm. Sorrel and arugula are making their way into my salads once more. Thank you for creating such a place of beauty in the world. You are an inspiration!
Thank you Collette. Love the poems and quotes too which so resonate with this time of year here in the northern hemisphere as snow forecast for the weekend here in the UK.
Love all your posts and videos. Blessings, Sue 💚🌱🌿☘🌲🐕
Reblogged this on dreamweaver333.
Reblogged this on Blue Dragon Journal and commented:
Spring always brings the promise of renewal and new life…
One can smell the scent of damp earth and glimpse a fairy or two hiding from view with each photo,The approach of Spring is surely seen in your beautiful photos, each quote fills my heart with gladness that Spring is only days away. the Goddess is surely alive in your garden. Thank you for sharing.
Your Feast of Spring has filled the belly of Winter 🙂
Blessings x
Beautiful words , beautiful photos , beautiful spring . Blessings xxxx
I have just recently discovered your lovely blog and videos. I love your calm and beautiful house and gardens. What you are doing in the countryside in Ireland I am attempting in a suburban garden far away in Tasmania. Part of the magic of the internet is seeing you begin your Spring as we in the south go into Autumn. Thank you for your inspiration 🙂
Love the moss on the branches of the shrubs; a sign of pure air.