In spite of this year's very mild Winter, my heart was still lovesick for Spring. She is here now and has scattered her pearls on the figs, mulberries, and strawberries in my garden. I even spied the first hibiscus flower this morning: she is glorious!
What have you noticed in your neck of the woods? How about taking a picture and adding it to your Instagram or Facebook page? Or maybe save it to a special folder in your photos. Charlotte Mason's students used a Calendar of Firsts: a simple journal in which they either drew or wrote their findings each year.
"It is a capital plan for the children to keep a calendar––the first oak-leaf, the first tadpole, the first cowslip, the first catkin, the first ripe blackberries, where seen, and when. The next year they will know when and where to look out for their favourites, and will, every year, be in a condition to add new observations. Think of the zest and interest, the object, which such a practice will give to daily walks and little excursions. "
—Charlotte Mason, V. 1 p. 54
I've taken my pictures, now I'm going to pull out my Calendar of Firsts and record my recent sightings.
What pearls has Spring left in your area?
To Spring
O THOU with dewy locks, who lookest down
Through the clear windows of the morning, turn
Thine angel eyes upon our western isle,
Which in full choir hails thy approach, O Spring!
The hills tell one another, and the listening
Valleys hear; all our longing eyes are turn'd
Up to thy bright pavilions: issue forth
And let thy holy feet visit our clime!
Come o'er the eastern hills, and let our winds
Kiss thy perfumed garments; let us taste
Thy morn and evening breath; scatter thy pearls
Upon our lovesick land that mourns for thee.
O deck her forth with thy fair fingers; pour
Thy soft kisses on her bosom; and put
Thy golden crown upon her languish'd head,
Whose modest tresses are bound up for thee.
—William Blake
We have no blossoms yet but the flies are back. 🥴 I prefer flowers as heralds of spring.