Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Winter... again

Enjoying a break on one of my favorite 
natural benches in the woods 
I realize for most of you in Northern Michigan having one last bit of winter is not what you wanted.  But for me, I have to say I have been enjoying this late March snow.  It has been a treat to be able to make snowmen and go sledding with my nieces.   Snowshoe in the snowstorm last week, catch snowflakes on my tongue and eat sap icicles,while feeling Jack Frost nipping at my nose.  Thank you for putting up with a little more winter for me :)

Zacchaeus, my old man dog out enjoying the snow






  

Meet Buddy!

Are you looking for a new best friend?  Someone to go for long walks with,  ride in the car, hangout on the beach, lay at your feet, sleep by your bed, someone who is always happy when you come home and never holds a grudge.  



Buddy is a happy go lucky black lab and is about 1yrs old.  He is well mannered, playful - he loves to go on walks, play fetch, chew on bones (not your shoes!), ride in the car, play with children and other dogs.  He gets along with cats and other animals.  With a gentle reminder he is easily called away from casing turkeys, chickens or deer.
Buddy comes when called, he walks on a leash, though he needs to learn to heel and not to pull.  He knows how to sit and we are working on down, stay and a few tricks.  He is a great dog that needs a forever home that will love him, encourage him with lots of treats, kisses, pats on the head and scratches on the back.  
Why do I have Buddy?  Well, if you have known me for long you know I have a soft spot for animals and a really soft spot for dogs.  I am unable to have my own dog in America, besides by old man dog Zacchaeus that I have had since I was sixteen, due to the fact I don't live in the States more the 4 months every two years.  But it does bring me great joy to have a large four legged dog around, who I know would other wise be sitting unhappily in the animal shelter barking and pacing back and forth.  So for the next four months I will have Buddy, or if he finds a home another dog, around giving them a little lovin' and receiving a little lovin' from them.  Getting to enjoy their happy tail wags, nudge of a nose to hurry up and put my coat on for a walk and a happy face greeting me every morning when I wake up.

If you are interested in Buddy don't hesitate to email me!

Monday, March 21, 2011

Its a Spring Thing

This is my first spring in two years and while it feels as through I have been away for such a long time, I remember and fall easily in step with the season as if I have not been living in a tropical place where season changes are much more subtle.   I remember the land of my birth and the land remembers me.
I was greeted home by a beautiful snowfall with it's puffy, magical flakes giving the land a Nutcracker feel.  I settled in by the crackling fire and took in the majestic wonder of God's creation, storing it in my memory for future days when thoughts of snow will all but be a faint familiar memory of a place and time I love.
Soon after the over 6 inches of fluffy snowfall the sun in all its beauty shone through the gray sky, which everyone who has spent the winter here commented, "what is that strange thing?", to begin the process of spring.  Spring, a time of enchanted wonder, where no matter how many times you have experienced it leaves you saying in surprise, "Oh look, the robin is back! You know what I saw today?  A little crocus poking its pretty head through a small bare patch of earth!"  The frozen desolate land is coming back to life.  Full of surprises that leave young and old filled with wonder and joy as nature bursts forth into marvelous life.
Like bears coming out from their caves, people emerge from their homes in mass, with a sort of dazed, pale look and a new shine in their eyes.  There is much to be done!  One of my favorite parts of early spring is the tapping of sugar maples, gathering the clear lightly sweetened white gold that runs from them and boiling it into a nice golden sweet syrup.  Maple syrup is one of natures tastiest treats!
As the sun further melts the snow the tasks of yard work begin.  There are leaves to be raked, sticks to be gathered, flower beds to be cleared, gardens to be worked and seeds to begin.  Along with these tasks are discoveries to make as we watch for daily signs of new life.  Birds coming back, flowers coming up, pussy willows and trees budding.  Each day we eagerly await for new signs of summers arrival while we look for the sound of spring peepers, morel mushrooms to pick and new life to be born.
My family home is one of the last places for the snow to melt and this morning as I look out the window at the dirty snow, the large puddle, chickadees fluttering about, squirrels playing tag in the trees I find myself wanting spring to hurry up so I can make all these discoveries quickly, like a child on a treasure hunt.  But I am reminded that God uses nature to speak to us and as spring gently comes at its own slow pace maybe I too need to spend my days here at home at that slow gentle pace, basking in the wonder of His love and goodness as I spend time with my family and friends.

"Once you have lived on the land, been a partner with its moods, secrets, and seasons, you cannot leave.  The living land remembers, touching you in unguarded moments, saying, "I am here. You are part of me."
~Ben Logan "The Land Remembers"