Words from the Heart

Many people ask how do I stay positive in times of utter despair. I have several tricks, but one that has yet to fail me is to spend time in my garden looking at the beautiful flowers. I know many don't have gardens or access to them, so here is a photo journal of my time in the garden today.  Enjoy! All Photos:  (c) 2017 Linda M. Rhinehart Neas

This past week, Roger and I went to the Smith College Bulb Show. What a treat! The burst of color as we opened the greenhouse door combined with the scents of spring immediately washed away the winter blues we were both feeling. Words cannot express adequately how beautiful the show was, so I am posting pictures to enjoy.

On this July 4th weekend, I have waxed nostalgic. Thinking of summers past, I decided to share some "summer poems."  Enjoy! Wet Cement   The hellacious heat of summer cooked us  as we sat in the shade of curtained rooms.  The rumblings of thunder could be heard  far away, like an oncoming train that is heard  long before it arrives, rattling into a station.  The air sat heavy on us, except when the fan,  positioned to blow like a zephyr back and forth,  happened to kiss our salt-laden skin.  Suddenly, light exploded outside the window  open to emit the tiniest relief from the building heat.  One by one, they come, loosed from clouds – We peek out the windowed shelter like hunters,  peering through the blind, waiting for the flock to land.  In moments, the streets become alive with the sound of  thousands of tiny fairy feet kissing the scalding concrete. The magic of their dance imme...

Yesterday was the first day of spring.  What a glorious day it was! The sun was shining and the garden was showing signs of Nature's re-awaking. Daffodils and crocus were pushing through the brown leaves left from last fall.  But, last night winter stormed back in like a spoiled toddler that wants to stay longer at the party leaving an inch or so of white stuff all over the green of spring sprouts. My heart sank as I walked to my snow-encrusted car.  I want spring! Then, as quickly as it came, the snow disappeared.  By the time I left work for home, the snow was gone...completely!  In its wake were more buds, more green, more spring life bursting forth! At that moment, I remembered what a dear friend had told me... spring snows are Nature's vitamins for the Earth.   May we be like the tenacious spring blossoms that in spite of unexpected snows still burst through with their beauty.  Bloom where you are!   Blessings!!

One of the best things we did when we began our attempts at being "Green" was to purchase a farm share.  In our community they are called CISA (Community Involved in Sustainable Agriculture) shares. In other communities these shares may be called CSA or Community Supported Agriculture.  However way you call them, they are a wonderful way to support local farms as well as help keep our planet healthy. Our share comes from a family run farm down the road from us.  Enterprise Farm is filled with young men and women who are dedicated to creating a healthy environment for both themselves and their community. One of the best parts of our share program is that the farm offers pick-your-own veggies as well as flowers.  Each week during the summer and early fall, we can go to the farm and cut our own flowers. Subsequently, my house is filled with small vases of colorful flora that brighten up dark corners and surprise visitors because I place them in unusual places ...

Dateline - Western Massachusetts, April 12, 2011   Residents of a small New England town today woke to a surprise appearance by the ever-elusive, Spring.  In short order, a celebration was organized.  Daffodils lined roadways, streets and paths, crowded into fields and front lawns, waving their yellow bonnets. Tulips gathered in groups to await a glimpse of Spring as she passed by. An impromptu chorus of the Jazzy Jays, Rocking Robins and Sweet Sparrows filled the air with song.  The celebration lasted well into the evening hours, when the Peepers took over the music venue, harmoniously serenading Spring as she rested after a busy day about town. For those in other New England communities, Spring will be making an appearance, never fear.  Her schedule is quite filled, but she has promised her public that she will visit each and every community leaving behind her own special works of art along the way. For more information on Spring's appearance in your...

  Sunset in Old Deerfield    The last few weeks have been glorious!  We have actually had spring here in New England, which hasn't happened in a bit.  (Last year, it seems we went from 4 feet of snow to 90 degrees in less than a week! No spring!)    Here are a few glimpses of spring in my neck of the woods.    Forsythia gathered on Easter morning                                 Pink Rhododendron in front yard           Butterfly bush in Old Deerfield Old Deerfield cherry tree       Bleeding Hearts      Close up of pink rhododendron   Ms. Bumble Bee working hard        Pretty Maids all in a row!     Looking Within (There's a lesson...

The words are few for this post...pictures say it all. These are some of my favorite moments: My brother Barry and me at the beach in South Boston - 1957 My girls and our exchange student, Pablo from Argentina 1993 Rainbow over South Deerfield, MA 2008 Cardinal in the snow 2008 Farm in New York 2007 Tree Hugging 2007 Resting with a friend 2008 Roger and I - top of Mt. Holyoke 2008 Sunflower 2006 Luna moth caterpillar on gladiola Barry and me at Duxbury Beach, MA 1959