Thinking out loud on this Friday (audio)

Thinking out loud on this Friday ... listening to the birds, traffic and other sounds around us this spring

the crocus are popping up through the mulch and ground cover

prep for Mother's day

listen to ‘prep for Mother's day’ on audioBoom

may 1

listen to ‘may 1’ on audioBoom

Spring is here finally

listen to ‘Spring is here finally’ on audioBoom

April showers

The trees are budding. The spring flowers are blooming. All is well. It has been a rough week.

spring flowers

Take some time to smell the blossoms!

A quiet moment

Given the rapidly developing events in the search for the Marathon bombing suspects, we can take a moment or two to reflect on the natural good life around us.

spring flowers

The residents of Watertown, Newtown, Belmont, Cambridge, Alston/Brighton are being asked to stay indoors. Businesses are being asked not to open. No vehicle traffic in or around that area.

Be safe folks!


This was also posted at Franklin Matters
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/04/a-quiet-moment.html

no longer business as usual

Having been in NY when the first World Trade Center bomb went off in 1993, life changed.

further away from Ground Zero on Sept 11, 2001 still changed life.

And now April 15, life changes again.

Changes, yes... goes on, very important!

spring flowers

We were not in Boston although we know many who were. All of us are well. We pray for those who are not well.

rhododendron blooming

A good sign of Spring is when the rhododendron start blooming.



Are you ready to bloom?

What can you do today to help someone?

weed whacking

There were lots of weeds growing up through the bricks on our walkway that I finally had a chance to tackle. Patiently uprooting them should provide a better long term solution than taking the weed whacker to them.


The 'before' shot




The 'after' shot




Did you do any work around the house this weekend?

Spruce Pond reflections

The water is calm. The sun setting casts enough light to create a good reflection.

Do you step back from time to time to see your own reflection?

New growth

New growth is appearing around us.



Are you taking some time to look and observe the new growth?

Observation is part of learning, learning is part of growing.
Growing is part of life. How are you living today?

Spring into action

With signs of spring popping out all over, what are you doing to freshen up?



How are you planning to shake off the winter blues and get into the new life, the re-newed life that Spring brings?

Lilac blooms

The lilac is ready to bloom. Soon its purple flowers and distinct scent will spread around.




Are you ready to bloom?

What goodness can you spread today?

Spring planting

Peter D's is located on King St here in Franklin. After the Christmas trees and wreaths are sold, it buttons up shop until now. Spring time bring new plants, new colors, new growth to the area.



Are you planting something new in your yard this year?

Earth Day is coming up this Saturday. You can help do some spring cleaning around Franklin or help at the Community Garden, or plant and clean up your own yard. Seems like the weather will be good for that this weekend!

Morning colors

The signs of spring are here!



Red, white and blue line up along the driveway

Have you stopped to see the colors around you today?

Colorful morning

I completed filing our taxes on Sunday and will go running this morning in a change of schedule for this week. I ended up working during the night Saturday/Sunday morning on a DR test. Due to the missed sleep, I didn't run as I normally would on Sunday.

The temp has returned to more seasonal cool morning today. The radio announced is it 39 degrees F. A bit cooler than the 50's we started with and then got up into the 70's for much of last week.



The daffodils are up in bloom now and it is good to see some bright colors!

Enjoy your break

Yes, spring break week for Franklin and other area schools. For those heading away, I hope the weather and travels are kind to you!



Enjoy the time away. Come back refreshed to tackle your To Do list with renewed gusto!

Too early, too soon?

Saturday, when filling the bird feeders, I caught this photo of new growth in the flower beds. A hopeful sign given the winter we have had. This is about the only bear spot of ground, everything else is still covered in snow.

Alas, it was good to have caught this when I did. Sunday morning it was covered again in a couple of inches of snow.

New England weather teaches one to roll with the punches, to be prepared for anything and above all - patience!

Robins: Feeding time

Robins: Feeding time, originally uploaded by shersteve.

I managed to catch these during feeding time yesterday. I did not have the luck or the patience to wait long enough for the mother to actually bring the food back to the nest. I suspect she knew I was watching. She kept up a chatter all the time.

Chatter to her babies to be patient

or

chatter to me to go away and leave them in peace

I left.

Prime time for lion hunting!

Prime time for lion hunting! bright sun blooming easy to spot and pull!, originally uploaded by shersteve.

The bright sun makes the blooming dandelions easy to spot and pull!

I use the slender garden weeding tool. Sliding into the ground to find the main root, you can feel the tug as you push down and sever the root below ground, making the top flowers and leaves easy to pick up and move away from the lush green grass.

Crawling around on my knees is not easy but necessary. Come upon the lions quietly so they are not aware of what is about to occur! Eradication from the lawn is soon accomplished.

Alas, just for today. There'll be some more next week. Hopefully less!