Flora and fauna

Featured

M is for May . . . and Mothers . . . and Memories.

/ roseburkeauthor / Leave a comment

On Facebook I recently read a poem by Donna Ashworth that touched my heart. This is the first verse.

When someone has gone,

you can bring them back

for just a little while

by talking them into life

by painting a picture with your memories and your words

breathing their essence back into existence

for just a few moments.

Image and text by Donna Ashworth

May is my favourite month. It flood me with memories and fills my heart with joy as the world revives. It takes me back to my childhood on the farm when May meant new calves and piglets and cows turned out to pasture. Winter clothes were set aside, and my brother and I went fishing in the brook.

My childhood home near Upper Mills

May means Mother’s Day. As a child all I could offer were the purple violets picked in the pasture, but they were always proudly placed in a little juice glass. My appreciation grew ever stronger, and I was fortunate to have my mother nearby for many years. She is now prominent among my May memories. This picture was taken in 2002. I was with Mom when she proudly accepted the Dutch medal on my father’s behalf.

My husband and I were married in May, and each anniversary abounds with reflection and memories. Scrapbooks bulge with photos, but I respect my husband’s preference for no online presence. I’ll only say this year’s close-to-home adventure included covered bridges.

May

A fancy lady
Swaying in emerald green
Eager to impress

May waves her jewelled fingers
And rainbow colours appear

May invites the breeze
To prepare for royal guests
The flights already booked

Warblers flash amidst the green
And hummingbirds stake their claim

Yellow Warbler
Northern Parula
Blue-Headed Vireo

A Week of Wonder

/ roseburkeauthor / Leave a comment

I finished my previous post with, “Each one (day) will bring its own surprises.” I hadn’t expected the first to come so soon, just an hour later outside my kitchen window.

Pileated Woodpecker
Only the male has a red moustache.

Then a new day dawns to be approached with eager anticipation:

A song cheers my day
Pausing, I appreciate
Nature comes alive

A song sparrow hops along
Surveying his world, not mine
Hello there!
Bye, I’ve got places to go.
That looks interesting.
Hmnn, a bit untidy, but I rather like this place.

Standing all alone
A trumpet announcing spring
Daffodil delight

Spring celebrates the rebirth of nature and of wonder. Happy Easter everyone.

Embracing Spring

/ roseburkeauthor / 1 Comment

Winter is leaving, and
The goldfinches are singing
The sun’s invitation.

We embrace its warmth with joy,
But Winter and Spring are playful foes.
Tug of war or teeter-totter?
Mother Nature sets the scene.


.

Crystal chandeliers
Adorned with pendants and pearls
Spider webs of ice.

It’s Mother Nature’s spotlight,
Her first performance of spring.

But the seasons know their time, and Spring joyfully rushes forth in the Pokiok Stream

Seeking More Positives

/ roseburkeauthor / Leave a comment

This week we are still surrounded by a lot of negativity, but there are also bubbles of joy. We must choose where to seek our energy.
Facebook presents both, but there is one pop-up that always lightens my heart. The simple artwork and wisdom of Charlie Mackesy always strike a chord, and the world becomes a brighter place.

It has been a difficult winter, but Charlie Mackesy’s words reminded me of my inner strength.

It reflected my world, just a few steps from my house.

Winter, with its own beauty and its own inner strength.




Faith that spring will come
Life in bubbles of safety
The subnivean zone

Poem by Rose Burke
Image from Parks Canada






Miss Petunia is no longer Welcome

/ roseburkeauthor / 2 Comments

????????????????????????????????????
????????????????????????????????????
????????????????????????????????????
????????????????????????????????????

Yesterday she stepped out of the shade and looked both ways before cautiously stepping onto the driveway. Then she paused to have her picture taken. The day felt special.

Today is a new day and the first thing I noticed was the hoof prints in the flower bed just in front of the door. The three flowers cropped close to the ground were not a big concern but then I noticed the flower pot that had so recently been overflowing with Purple Wave Petunias. It had been neatly pruned all the around the edge and nearly all the lovely blooms were gone from the top. That was when my less than sympathetic husband named her Petunia and said I suppose she needs to eat too. 

Miss Petunia had also strolled through the yard and I noted her preferences. There were only a few twigs missing from the Mountain Ash and the Horse Chestnut sapling—perhaps a little too chewy.  Hostas are tasty—half a plant was enough as an appetizer, with a few Columbine tops. Then came her main course, a nice long row of Phlox just getting ready to bloom—flower buds are the best.

Miss Petunia, you are no longer welcome. Please cross my yard off your list of favourite dining locations and please do not recommend it to your friends.