Happy Easter

Look closely and you can see the tender shades of green budding out among the evergreens

Just as surely as I thought Spring would never come to Georgia, I am quite sure it has finally arrived.  She has solidly placed her strong hold on everything within sight and the powdery green substance we call pollen covers the south like a blanket.

When Spring finally arrives, I never cease to be amazed at the changes that take place.  Flowers, trees, and most perennial vegetation have begun their metamorphosis from winter's nap by pushing out their tiny buds which very quickly turn into leaves and various other foliage.  Nothing thrills me more than a family of ducks swimming in the pond in a straight row with mama out in front and the babies filing in behind her.   It is a beautiful time of year and brings with it the promise of new life and hope, much like that first Easter morning so many many years ago. 

None of my children are here in Georgia to spend Easter with so Easter has taken on a new dynamic for my husband and me.  We are usually alone on Easter (which is okay), I usually don't cook (unless I get REALLY inspired), and we enjoy a quiet, mostly un-eventful day (truly NOT a bad thing).  I savor the quietness, as it encourages me to focus on the real meaning of Easter.  After church today, we grabbed a burger at a local burger joint and headed to the park.  But, hey, don't feel sorry for me.  As you can see from the image above, we were greeted with some beautiful scenery and mild temperatures -- and we enjoyed it all in each other's presence.  I was surprised at how many people were at the park cooking hamburgers on grills, so I guess we really were in good company.  I thought everyone cooked a ham and potato salad on Easter in the south, but I guess not!

So whatever your day has been, I hope that it has at least been filled with peace and rest and, most of all, joy.  I hope it has been filled with some great company, some great food (even if it was a burger), and some great plant-gazing amazement.  And if you are having a hard time getting spring fever, just look at the bare branch in the upper right corner of the above image.  Remember when every hardwood looked like this and we had ice on those branches?  The ice is gone and the leaves are coming back!  That in and of itself is reason to celebrate. Along with the hope that was given so many years ago.

Spring has sprung, people!!  It's about time.

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Easter...a time of hope, of change, of new beginnings...

On the trail with my main squeeze