A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....03-20-07....Yay, It's Spring!

[GodBlessUSA]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

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A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay, or a profile of another FReeper.

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~ Billie, Dutchess, DollyCali, GodBlessUSA, Aquamarine~

I was looking out the window after our Ice/rain/snow storm we had Friday/Saturday. I can't wait for this to melt. Breathing a sigh of relief, Oh how I'm so thankful this week is officially Spring!

It is enjoyable having 4 seasons. Winter just seems to be the longest. Gardening and birding are my love. Each year, I look so forward to spring and all that is to be done.

Recently we have moved. My former yard was filled with gardens and birds. Now, a new beginning. Soon I'll be putting up birdhouses, planting and enjoying the warm sun. This yard is my new palette to create on.
What do you look forward to with Spring?

I thought a poem for this spring thread would be perfect. I searched and searched on the internet and found nothing I truly loved reading. I went to my ping page and saw this posted by NicknamedBob. Beautiful! Thank you so much NicknamedBob :)

Sonnet to Almost Spring

The flowers stir, and stretch their tender shoots,
Awakened by a warmth come softly seeping,
“Rise up!” the call has traced their hidden roots,
To rouse them from their winter’s peaceful sleeping.

The den of slumbers has become,
A din of noisy childish clatter.
Impetuous and impish in its sum,
They split the earth and clamber up its ladder.

Emerging into sunlit air, and softening caresses,
Of nurture at its basest form, the soil on which we stand,
Which all too quickly grips them and compresses,
As night falls much too early in the land.

False spring has lured them out. Cruel season’s dying play,
Receding from the shores of Spring, the Winter ebbs away.

NicknamedBob . . . . . . . . . March 17, 2007

1-09-07 ~ Hall of Fame #18

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 3-19-07 Military Monday

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' Every Thursday at the Finest The guy's good, folks!

[GodBlessUSA]

I pledge allegiance to the Flag
of the United States of America,
and to the Republic for which it stands:
one Nation under God, indivisible,
With Liberty and Justice for all.

[GodBlessUSA]

[DollyCali]

It;s spring? wow, officially yes.. soon.. but reality is we had more snow/sleet today...

but hope lives eternal.. thanks for the lovely peppy thread today GeeBee... you are getting so good at this!

sigh

[LUV W]

GEEEBEEEE!!!

What a gorgeous thread! Spring has indeed sprung...as of now! Yay.

Is the snow gone yet?

[GodBlessUSA]

Good Evening Dolly
I think it's official on Wednesday. I can't wait for all this ice and snow here to melt. But Soon it will just be a memory ;)
Thanks!

[GodBlessUSA]

Good evening LuvW :)
Thanks! How are you this evening? We still have snow and ice but it is melting. Funny, last week, planting things, this week waiting for snow to melt. How is your weather? 70's yet?

[DollyCali]

okay, to answer your questions.. what do I look forward to w/spring

-- working in yard, playing in dirt, cleaning up the flower beds.

-- spring flowers in yard.. all the yummy bulbs I plant come forth. Of course the harbinger here is forsythia.. and I have blazes of yellow all throughout yard & a long hedge of it along my "naughty" neighbor's yard.

-- The wide range of yellows/greens in the forest tree tops as the trees begin budding.. green is NOT JUST GREEN but a rendering of shades/textures to delight the eye

The forest floor exploding with dozens of my favorite wild flowers..

-- Walking with water shoes in the streams (yes I go when it is still cold) ... but NOT having to wear the heavy water boots is nice.

-- MUD.. slipping & sliding & having fun with the dogs in the mud.. that comes with the thaw & warm weather & I embrace it

-- Bike riding without freezing'

-- The first kayak outings.. the water is still very cool so I DONT want to tip, but often do

-- Babies.. lots of wild life has their young.. the great blue heron rookeries nearby, the raccoons that bring their young to feed at the cat dishes (guess we have replaced fishing at the stream for crawdads), baby fawns in yard with their moms.

The ONLY thing I do NOT like about spring is the pollen.. tears up my allergies/simus.. but it is part of package & so it is an "oh well" scenario

[MEG33]

Beautiful, GeeBee! I'll be back later.... as soon as my back recovers from cleaning out old files and creating a working office space in my computer, guest room...to post some spring flowers. I am so glad it's spring!

I have a spray of Carolina yellow jasmine on my desk..The blossoms may promptly drop off but I sure am enjoying looking at them after a very tiring 4 days of cleaning out old paperwork..Now ...on to tending to the newer tomorrow...between freeping, of course.

[LUV W]

~SUZANNE CIANI~
BUTTERFLIES

[GodBlessUSA]

Dolly
This is a wonderful list. You have a fantastic time with your hikes with your dogs. I'm bad, I don't do it when it's not warm out. :) It is a joy to see all the baby animals.

[DollyCali]

sorry about your back Meg. I experienced a similar situation last week.. we had a 72 degree day & I was out most of it in yard doing clean up.. felt so good to be doing it & I did not think I had hurt myself but since have had again the severe back pain.

Got to chiropractor today & somewhat better.

YOur comment of the yellow jasmine gave me a thought. THink I will pick about 20 twis of forsythia to force inside into blooms. Half on my computer area (which cats will probably dump) and half in my mom's "room", (which cats will probably dump)

but if I can stabalize both to NOT get dumped, in a few days we will have alittle head start on the blossoms.

It is to be nice later in week. Will divide that time up bewtween yard & biking.. Last week it was all yard.

There is a daily dog walk so I am out in forest every day for at least an hour & it is so much fun & such good R & R

[GodBlessUSA]

Good evening Meg :)
Don't let your back get too stressed.

It is so nice to know soon the flowers will be blooming. Does the jasmine have a delicious smell?

[GodBlessUSA]

This song is beautiful. Susan Ciani is so talented. I love your graphic :) Thanks so much for the music Luv!

[GodBlessUSA]

Your forsythia is almost blooming now? You are lucky. Your snow will be gone soon for sure! :)

[DollyCali]

well, your dogs might NOT need the daily excursions (they would no doubt enjoy however).. when you have large herding dogs, this is not an option if one is to maintain a "happy" home..

It is night/day when the pups dont' get adequate "burn off energy" time outdoors... An exhausted pet has a smile in it's soul & is gentle & fun in the home.

[MEG33]

Just wonderful LUV!

[LUV W]

LOL! It was 85 today!

My white irises are now blooming!!

[DollyCali]

no it isnt' blooming.. but if I bring in the dormant twigs & put in warm water it will force the blossoms

[LUV W]

I love her music. A good friend introduced me to her music!

[GodBlessUSA]

LOL! Good point Dolly. :) My dog is a couch potato. She gets spurts of energy and back to laying down. Although, when the weather is warmer she seems more energetic. :)

[LUV W]

Thanks, Megs!

[GodBlessUSA]

Wow! 85. It sure warms up fast there in Texas ;). This is so lovely. I need to plant Irises here. I like the white with just a touch of yellow at the base.

[GodBlessUSA]

Oh, that's a great idea. I may give that a try too. :)

[LUV W]

Yes, it does...and I just dread the summer when it will no doubt be over 100 a lot. That's NOT fun! =\

[GodBlessUSA]

I know, that isn't fun. It does get too hot for you. Enjoy it now. Is your peace rose showing sign of blooming?

[LUV W]

Oh! It's got lots of new growth on it, but no blooms yet. I checked on it earlier this evening.

[GodBlessUSA]

Oh good. It's spending time growing. I can't wait till you get blooms. I can't wait till mine has leaves. ;) LOL

[LUV W]

LOL! I am so glad you brought it with you to the new house!

I will post a picture of it whenever it blooms!

[LUV W]

The poem that Bob contributed to the thread is so full of promise...it's just beautiful!

Thank you, poet. I always look forward to your work here!

[GodBlessUSA]

I wish I brought more plants from there. I was crazy not to but we were so stressed with things, packing. Next time. LOL :)

[GodBlessUSA]

It was so funny because I was searching the web. I wanted a poem so bad. I looked and looked and didn't see any I liked. I come back to FR empty and I check my ping page and there was NicknamedBob's, Sonnet to Almost Spring and it's just so beautiful.

[LUV W]

You're already talking about next time???

You just got the red room painted! LOL!

[Diver Dave]

Spring has sprung
Fall is fell
The grass is rized
I wonder where the birdies is?

[DollyCali]

3 or us..

bridge anyone?

(I could not send you a FReepmail GeeBee...let's see if I can post.. check email)

[DollyCali]

whoops.. 5 of us now.. bridge with rotation out each hand..

love hyacinths Dave

[DollyCali]

i know what you mean about the temps in texas..when I saw meg & luv posting & you & I , it was an interesting comparison of the temperate & semi tropical climates.

I miss the southern weather

[NicknamedBob]

Windows

The purpose of a window,
Is not to look one way,
But letting things come in to you,
When needed in your day.

The season that we look upon,
From where we are right now,
Is mostly just a promise,
That we recall somehow.

It enters through a window,
From memories still bright,
It fills the shadows of our hearts,
With soul-sustaining light.

A Winter’s chill is in our hearts.
We need the warmth of Spring,
And pleasures of the joys to hold,
Those memories do bring.

NicknamedBob . . . . March 20, 2007

[DollyCali]

with moves it is hard sometimes to move all you want (Plants)...and if the house is under contract before you find the "new one", you often cannot take them unless you made provisions in contract.

dividing up the perennials & taking lots of cuttings is the nice way to do it.. I have seen some yards that look like mine fields with huge unfilled holes where people have taken dozens upon dozens of plants. That gets tacky

The nice way it to have a new place, move your plants, fill in the holes & mulch all over to avoid it looking weird.

[La Enchiladita]

Say "hyacinth" fast 5 times.... hehe.

[DollyCali]

Thanks Bob, you prove over & over again that creativity comes at all times..

neat pix.

I have never been to DC during cherry blossom time.. would like to do it one year..not sure what the tree is in your pix but it triggered that thought

[DollyCali]

okay. that was fun. HOw are you? I am having a rare time here up & half alert . When I came back from my regular Monday outing with friend Patty, I did take a two hour nap before 24. Set my alarm. Last time I took a nap before 24 I slept until 2 AM!

I do have an early morning commitment so need to crash soon.

Enjoyed the email about the "angel" at the gas station.

[GodBlessUSA]

I agree Dolly. That is tacky. I could not have done that. Though, there were a few I did take. I didn't leave empty hole though. There was no way to over winter even if they gave plants to me. So, it's a new challenge. :)

[GodBlessUSA]

LOL!!

[LUV W]

Lovely!!

I love windows. I want a house with HUGE windows.

But not in West Texas. We'd cook! LOL!

[GodBlessUSA]

This is so lovely! Thanks :)
How are you tonight Diver?

[GodBlessUSA]

:)

[GodBlessUSA]

This is wonderful!

[La Enchiladita]

Gorgeous, gorgeous intro, GeeBee.... I love every little thing about it!! Mmmmm.....

In Springtime, I look forward to romance! Love! Flirtation! Appreciation!

"O, how this spring of love resembleth
The uncertain glory of an April day;
Which now shows all the beauty of the sun,
And by and by a cloud takes all away."

--The Two Gentlemen of Verona (I, iii, 84-87)

[NicknamedBob]

It's cherry blossoms from Last Year's Thread.

I was looking for another poem to post about Spring.

Like GeeBee, I couldn't find exactly what I wanted, so ...

[LUV W]

Oh, my! We have another poet in our midst! LOL!