Fern Grotto

 

On the side of our house there is a slight hill - mostly huge rocks that have been here since time began - only disturbed thirty years ago when this small subdivision was established.  Some of the sites had to be literally dynamited in order to build a house.  Eight years ago we found this house -- nothing extravagent, nothing really exciting -- just a comfortable house in a nice neighborhood.  When we drove up to the house we were just thinking that it was a 'pleasant' place.  We turned the corner to see the side of the house and I believe at that point the house became ours -- for there was this 'grotto' of rocks and ferns, trees and plants and bushes -- like a mysterious oasis that hadn't been touched. 

Our 'grotto' is still there today -- still covered with ferns coming out of the rocks.  Rocks that have moss and lichen covering them in interesting designs.

 

 

Even in the heart of summer this bit of 'forest' is with us -- my thanks to the first owners of this house who did not blast away every bit of rock but left us with such a marvelous gift.

 

 

"Every moment and every event of every man's life on earth plants something in his soul." - Thomas Merton

 

 

Promises

As we move into spring I'm relishing in the promise that this time of the year provides.  There is promise in this still unfurled fern.

There is promise in the brilliant, spring green of these grasses.

These azaleas have already completed their promise by blooming in great profusion.

And down at the pond the sun shines on the water while frogs plop loudly into the water at the sound of my footsteps (no matter how quietly I try to go).

I hope in your little corner of the world you are seeing signs of spring promises.

"Spring has returned.  The Earth is like a child that knows poems." - Rainer Maria Rilke