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Monday, March 14, 2011

Spring Planting - Magpie Tales

This week's image prompt from Tess @ Magpie Tales is below.  To read other contributors click  HERE.

Courtesy of Tess @ Magpie Tales


When the children left, it was the garden that absorbed her day, tending to it, creating things anew.  Winters were harsher with less to do, although she took joy from the small birds that came to feed, the goldfinches, and blue tits, and many more who entertained her through her kitchen window.  It was just like studying people in a way, they fought and got on, the bigger ones stronger and therefore more bullish when it came to getting their share of food.

But now it is Spring, and despite her aged bones she can get out to the garden again.  Her heart leaps a little, as it did every year at the early spring flowers, snowdrops the first, so small and pure and brave, ready to fight off the early frost, proving nature is full of contradictions.  Should it not be a less delicate flower that takes on such a noble quest?  Logic would say yes, but nature likes to tease that way.  A bit like her old body which aches as she kneels down to clear out the weeds, putting in a new bed of bulbs. 'Blue Iris' this year, 'on special' at the garden centre.  Why does her body ache when her mind feels as agile as a young girl?  She is glad for the new bulbs, their blue will appear in August with the warmth of summer days, and she will sit and admire them, remembering the ache they caused her knees, and smile.

Her grandmother had 'Blue Iris', lots of them.  'They are very reliable', she used to tell her as a girl, they never let you down.  Oh yes, it won't be long until August, the days will saunter by as they do now.  Little did she know all those years before as she ran with the legs of youth, that some pleasures last generations.


26 comments:

  1. Lovely reflection on age and wisdom and small pleasures. Thanks for this little highlight to my day.

    Kat

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  2. ... your Magpie did my heart good!!!

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  3. I learned much about gardening from my grandmother, and this poem brought to mind many of those wondrous moments spent with her. And now, a grandmother myself, I muse forward to similar times, my role reversed.

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  4. too true- getting old does not diminish life's pleasures

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  5. I love this. It's full of such truth and beauty. So REAL.

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  6. The is extraordinary. Beautifully wrought!

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  7. Some pleasures last generations...I love that. This makes me think of my mom and my great grandmother. I'd love to make them, and the lady in your post, a nice cup of tea when they come inside after the gardening. If only I could... Beautiful post.

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  8. Thank you for this, it is so beautifully written. Each of us carries our young selves ...and memories of our grandmothers.

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  9. Lovely, so poetic too, I really enjoyed this esp the snowdrops and their fragile strength.

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  10. I know all about being on the inside of your little story.
    It's totally realistic.

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  11. Told with the wisdom of experience. Lovely!

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  12. Beautiful reflections. It speaks to life with a strong and lovely voice.

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  13. Nicely told.

    A well tended garden always reminds me of my grandmother. She didn't only plant flowers, but her heart as well.

    Poetry24…where news is the Muse

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  14. Well narrated and love this tradition.
    Brings back so many happy memories spent with
    the older generations, who may be gone but leaving behind a rich custom to be passed down!!

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  15. Blue irises, or 'Flags' as my Gran called them, are one of those flowers I still love today, because of their associations with my childhood.:) I enjoyed your story!

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  16. This was so sweet! My mother's favorite flower is the blue iris, and (maybe because of the connection, or perhaps just the color) it is mine, too. I love the way you showed spring as it's breaking through. Really well done!

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  17. Gardening brings such painful satisfaction. My grandparents kept it up as long as they could, and I probably will, too.

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  18. This is lovely - although my body is already fairly creaky. Darned arthritis! So I could definitely relate to the narrator :)

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  19. African violets always seem a lady's choice don't they? I am sure there are some gentlemen enthusiasts ...

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  20. Thanks everyone for your comments and have a great St Patrick's Day!

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  21. A wonderful study of an elderly lady. So well written and perceptive.

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  22. Aww.. so very reflective and beautiful...
    Age may bring with it some aches and pains...but it also carries with it lots of lovely memories.. :)

    I love how you have described those snowdrops there...REALLY lovely!!

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  23. Louise,
    I have nominated you for the well-deserved Versatile Blogger Award: http://louisedouglas.wordpress.com/category/awards/

    Louise

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  24. Thanks Louise, will check that out once I get myself sorted!

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